Echoes of a Shattered Age (7 page)

Caring not at all for its defeated comrade, the remaining Kalistyi came at the samurai with savage high and low one-two stabs. The fiend was sloppy and predictable, and the samurai easily avoided the attacks.

The demon then delivered an unexpected kick to Kenjiro’s stomach. The samurai accepted the blow but stumbled backward, bent over. The shadow, believing the fight over, proceeded to remove the human’s head from his shoulders.

As its stroke fell, Kenjiro brought his sword up to block with so much power that it severed the shadow’s left sword arm. It skittered backward with a hiss and looked in disbelief at its severed arm, then at the human who was stalking toward it. The fiend recovered and attacked with its remaining weapon.

The angered samurai simply walked forward, all the while parrying every attack. The demon attempted to stab at him, but before it could draw its arm back, he stepped in and to the side. With a vertical chop, he severed the remaining sword-arm of the Kalistyi.

Its agonized hiss was cut short, and the world started to spin. Finally the spinning stopped, but now everything was sideways and it was on the ground. It glanced to its right to see its dark body dematerializing back to the dark world. The now independent head narrowed its eyes as it too sank back into the abyss.

Kenjiro heard a voice over his shoulder.

“Not bad. You handled those two whole Kalistyi all by yourself.”

Kenjiro ignored his sister’s japes and walked right by her. “We need to get to Sensei as soon as possible.”

Akemi shrugged, used to her brother’s stern demeanor and trotted to catch up. She was elated at the idea of an adventure after all this time. The thought of a battle alongside her brother, whether they triumphed or died together, excited her.

***

Chapter Nine

Three weeks into their trip at sea,
Siren’s Song
had made brief stops on small islands along her route to replenish food and supplies, as well as trade in fabrics and spices with the locals. The first days at sea were filled with fun and laughter, as the ship encountered no threats from weather or other vessels. Their second week brought a storm that had buffeted the mid-sized ship and set it off course for several days till the clouds gave way and they were finally able to look to the heavens to find their path once more. Finally, after a long and tiring month,
Siren’s Song
arrived off the shores of Korea.

“I’ll make sea dogs outta you two yet,” Captain Barum declared heartily once they made port. “Over a week we got slapped by that storm and not a once did you lose your meals over the side of the ship!” Kenyatta felt no need to admit that indeed he had almost lost his dinner on that first night.

“Our thanks, good captain,” Kita said. “Best wishes to you and the crew.”

“Yeah man,” Kenyatta agreed. “We won’t forget your kindness.”

The captain waved them away. “I always ferry lubbers like yourselves across the big pond. And you were more like part of my crew than the usual land lovin’ cargo. Next time you need to sail, you’ve got friends in the crew of
Siren’s Song
! I’ll always have you aboard.”

Captain Barum returned to his ship and the two friends looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings. It was the first time they had ever been to Korea, and they wished they had more time to explore the country. Kita and Kenyatta took in the many sights, sounds, and smells as they traversed some of the nearby villages and occasional cities that so effectively utilized the surrounding natural resources without exploiting them. Since the End of Technology, all civilizations were forced to start over. People had been resourceful in adapting already existing houses and buildings to the new age. Kita and Kenyatta had always found it interesting to travel to distant lands and see how cities around the world had recreated themselves.

Most places reverted back to the villages of the old times, utilizing nonfunctional devices from ages past in new and creative ways. Some places had actually taken on new names in place of old ones, while others adopted old names that had been changed during times of conquest and colonialism. Some of the major cities, however, retained their original names. Seoul, for example, was one of those major cities. Even after the End of Technology, the city had retained its original name.

Although there was an obvious absence of moving cars, buses, planes, and other signs of technology, the place still buzzed with the daily activity and bustle typical of a large city. In these times, only large cities remained while smaller suburbs throughout the world branched off and split into sections to become their own autonomous dwellings. Without technology, it was difficult for a large city to exist, and many fractured into smaller cities within the larger ones.

Kenyatta and Kita looked at all of the old skyscrapers, buildings, strip malls and freeways. Ironic that they still served the same functions they had during the Age of Technology, if in a more primitive fashion. As they ventured toward the outskirts of town, things were a bit different. Fast-food restaurants were converted into homes and neatly refined shelters. Office buildings were converted into living space to accommodate the thriving population. Restaurants were modified into places of celebration, while some of the strip malls were converted into schools of martial arts. It was in the villages outside the cities, however, where the best martial warriors could be found. Just as during the Age of Technology when many preferred to live in the country, away from the hustle of city life, many people chose life in the security of buildings and structures of the Old Age, and the major cities provided that illusion. In the villages, however, people relied on their ingenuity, wit and skill to survive the elements. The warrior class that existed outside of major civilization was of the best quality since the village’s safety and existence depended on the ability to defend itself.

Another ironic byproduct of the new age was the city’s cleanliness. Without technology there were less wasteful materials created and discarded irresponsibly. The world was changing and people were changing with it.

Walking along the streets, they noticed the often-friendly, often-curious stares they attracted. Since there were no planes or vacation ships, foreign visitors were rare.

“Man, look at all the people starin’ at us. Dem act like they never see a man wearin’ a black shirt before.”

They chuckled and continued on their way. After traveling at sea for weeks with crew and supplies, they were ready to find a place to rest.

“I think we can spend the night there,” Kita said, pointing at a seven-story building at the corner of the street. It was a white, triangular affair with tall windows on each floor. The glass of the first two floors reflected the bright sun, while the higher windows were dull and unkempt. Not unlike the other structures throughout the city, only the lowest levels were maintained, as the absence of electricity and vehicles made it impossible to clean the higher buildings without considerable risk.

“I think that would be a good spot to rest. We can sleep higher up, and see everything coming from outside the city.”

“Ya, man,” Kenyatta replied. “We won’t have to worry much about keeping a night watch since those lift boxes in the walls don’t work anymore and no one is likely to climb so many stairs.”

“Also, we can rig the door to alert us if anything tries to come in,” Kita said.

“Cool then. We set up for the night in there.”

* * *

In Nagasaki, a man stood in front of his window, gazing at the placid lake outside. He was an elderly gentleman in his seventies, but in his eyes burned the fire of a warrior less than half his age. His face was serene, his features soft and kind. His black eyebrows could be likened to a cluster of razor-tipped needles fashioned neatly above his eyes. His face showed not a wrinkle, and his goatee was a mixture of black and gray, and was well groomed. Atop his head lay neatly cut and styled salt and pepper hair. His frame, still retaining some of the hard and detailed muscles of his youth, was concealed within his loose-fitting robes. The old master stood with his hands behind his back and enjoyed the beautiful scene in front of him.

“My children are coming,” he said quietly to himself. “It will be good to see them again after so many years.” He walked to his small shrine, with a single incense stick burning next to a candle in front of a plant. He swiped a hand in front of the candle and put out the fire, then knelt, closed his eyes, and fell into meditation.

***

Chapter Ten

Kita stood in front of the window of the office. It was dark outside, and the stars were thousands of pinpricks illuminating the pitch black sky. Since electricity had been gone for generations, darkness rode the heels of the retreating sun to conquer every city, and in the absence of artificial light the stars shone undisputed over countryside or city alike.

“You know,” Kita said, “even though it’s been hundreds of years now, it still feels funny to be in the city that we’ve heard so much about. All of the lights and cars and night stuff.”

“I think it’s called
nightlife
,” Kenyatta corrected as he set up his sleeping palate. “A welcome change. I for one like it much better this way, man. Witout technology, people find less ways ta act a fool, ya know.”

“How would you know, since we’ve never even seen any of this stuff work?” Kita turned to look at his friend, now sliding into his sleeping sack. “And I wouldn’t say there’s less ways to act a fool, only less creative ways to act a fool now.”

“Hopefully,” Kenyatta yawned as he rolled up some clothes to make into a pillow. “Better put your head to rest man, we got a long way ahead of us tomorrow.”

“Yeah. And I’m guessing that since you’re all bundled up in your little roll there, I’m stuck with rigging the door.…” Kita barely finished what he was saying before Kenyatta lifted his head at the sound of a loud crash. He looked at Kita, who dropped to the floor and looked over his shoulder out of the window.

“Ya hear dat?” Kenyatta asked quietly.

“No. I always drop to the floor for no reason. What was that?”

Kenyatta pointed to a window over Kita’s shoulder. “Ya wanna see what it’s about? We can get by with a bit less sleep.”

Kita’s devious smile was all the indication he needed, and Kenyatta was up in a flash. They gathered their gear and within minutes, the two friends were on their way back down the stairs and sprinting for the woods.

* * *

“Keep the torches lit!” the man told the wide-eyed dusty-faced boy, who nodded his head anxiously. “Make sure we have plenty of light. We’re depending on you!” The boy nodded again and he and led a group of boys and girls off to attend to the many torches lit throughout the village. The man made his way to the edge of the village to join his friend, whose scowl was embellished by the flickering firelight as he scanned the gates. What should have been a quiet night was instead a cacophony of battle cries and arrows whistling in the wind, cries of pain and triumph. And death.

“We have to keep the entrance guarded. They can’t be allowed to pass!”

A young warrior named Seung Yoon moved to the front of the battle line. Despite her age, the woman’s abilities knew no rival among the villagers of Kyu. The assembled warriors formed an arc-shaped line in front of the village entrance as their final stand. The light from the torches flickered on each of their grim faces as they waited for the next assault.

“They seem to be stronger this time,” Kim remarked once he had reached Seung.

“Much stronger,” the woman replied. “But not smarter.”

Her companion grunted and Seung smiled at him. She loved her friend’s courage. She and Kim fed off of each other, each challenging the other, one-upping each other since they were children. She returned her attention to the edge of the woods where eighteen lumbering figures emerged. Each of the nine warriors steadied their stances and readied their weapons. They were outnumbered and overpowered, but to a man, they would stand or fall beside her.

As the hulking figures approached, the light revealed hairy, bear-like creatures. Each had hands as large as a man’s head, equipped with talons that reflected the torchlight. Their bodies were covered in black-brown fur that reminded Seung of the old stories her aunt used to tell her of the tall hairy ape men in the woods. These vicious creatures were something else. Even their eyes were different. Where her aunt had told of big round black orbs that shone kindness and wariness, these monsters had yellow-green eyes that shone with bloodlust. The creature in the front opened its gaping maw, revealing rows of sharp teeth, and let out a blood curdling roar. The warriors held firm, and met the roar with their own battle cry. Both sides charged and met in a flurry of swinging blades and slashing claws.

Seung Yoon wielded a double-edged weapon with a long shaft. At each end was a wide flat blade resembling a more curved broadsword. From the corner of her eye, Seung noticed one of the beasts charging at her back. She turned while spinning her weapon, and at the last moment went down on one knee and brought the weapon at waist level, creating two dead creatures out of the one. She brought the weapon up to block a descending slash over her head, then spun and brought her weapon around and down to shear through the new attacker’s right leg. She rose, ignoring the blood that had spattered all over her, and whipped her mighty weapon around, decapitating the beast in one powerful swipe.

Kim had dispatched one monster and was battling another. He wielded a remarkable katana that had been passed to him by his father. The beautiful weapon had been crafted from good steel, passed down through fifteen generations. Kim was a master swordsman, second only to Seung, but with an equal thrill for battle. Kim avoided slash after slash of the hairy creature’s claws, scoring tiny nicks and stabs until an opportunity for a killing blow presented itself.

The monster reached out to grab the small, annoying thing that was Kim, only to find that its claw was no longer attached to its arm. It shrieked and stumbled back, flailing its arms and slamming into one of the other village warriors. The man was launched into the back of another of the beasts and crumbled to the ground. He rose on wobbly legs and turned to face the monster, who was also regaining its footing. Seeing one of his comrades dead at the monster’s feet, the middle-aged warrior shouted and charged, driving it back inch by inch in a wild fury.

The beast did indeed give ground, but Seung could see that the man’s fury couldn’t sustain him much longer. She started in that direction, but he was already beginning to tire, and she would not make it in time.

In that instant, a figure dropped out of a nearby tree and slammed his shoulder into the beast’s lower back. It stumbled toward the tiring warrior, who sidestepped the creature as it fell on its side, landing near another warrior who seized the opportunity and stabbed the creature in the neck. Seung readied her weapon as she glanced at the warrior who, after giving his sword a quick twist in the monster’s neck, retracted the blade and readied himself. They were still outnumbered, but they now faced thirteen beasts thanks to Kim’s apparent victory over two more of the things, and this new stranger who had just assisted in the defeat of another.

After defeating the second monster, Kim scanned his surroundings. They had killed five of the things, but thirteen remained and three of his men had fallen. Kim was taken from his thoughts by two more oily black abominations coming at him from both sides. The two monsters slashed at him but only struck air as the quicker warrior ducked the attacks and smashed at their ankles. They hopped back, more angered than injured, and tried to position the human between them … Kim saw one of the monsters moving around behind him, and slowly turned, keeping them both in his line of sight.

Seung ran to aid her friend, but two more hulking black-brown monsters confronted her. She skidded on her heels and settled into a defensive stance. She had decided to attack when she heard an unfamiliar voice yell at her.

“Watch ya back!”

She hadn’t fully understood the words, but she knew a warning when she heard one. She turned and hopped aside, narrowly avoiding a slash at her back by a third monster. Her situation now worse than his, Seung was forced to leave Kim to fight on his own.

As she glanced about, she saw that all of the defenders were engaged. Their new ally was also confronted with another beast, which he put down with three rapid cuts to the throat. Seung barely registered the movements, the thing was dead before it hit the ground, its purple lifeblood pooling beneath it.

Seung was starting to believe the battle was turning in their favor until she saw Kim barely matching the ferocity of the two monsters he battled. Kim ducked and leaped, and spun away from slash after slash in an impressive dance of evasion and counterattack.

He turned to the right and avoided a sloppy slash of a claw, but the second monster slashed in from behind, tearing his shirt and leaving four red lines of blood on the warrior’s back. He growled away the pain and dropped and rolled away, quickly returning to his feet. He lifted his sword and a hot streak of pain from his back nearly buckled his knees. As the two beasts closed in, one of them fell to its knees and grabbed at the back of its suddenly bleeding neck.

Ignoring its fallen comrade, the second beast charged in at Kim. It slashed high and he ducked low, at the same time stabbing up and under the monster’s arm. He cursed the pain in his back at the same time the monster recoiled. Then it arched its back, waving its hairy arms and frantically reaching over its shoulder. Kim didn’t take the time to consider what was happening, as his sword was a blur in the fire-lit night as he cut the thing down. After it fell, he saw a man that looked about his age facing him.

“Come on,” the brown-skinned man yelled. “Two of them made it into your village.” Kim understood only a bit of the western tongue, but he comprehended just enough of those words to send him sprinting beside his mysterious ally back into the village.

* * *

Seung had her hands full fending off the trio of sloppy yet dangerous monsters that that didn’t seem to tire. They tried to close in, but she backed away in a graceful turn, spinning her weapon and dealing grievous damage to one monster, and dealing superficial injury to the other two. She leaped forward, swiping low and grazing the shin of one, then turned and spun the weapon vertically, removing the clawed hand of another that reached at her back. As the beast in front of her stumbled from the wound, the third knocked it out of the way and slashed at her.

As she leaned away from the attack, Seung caught another glimpse of their new ally, who was obviously a skilled warrior but was possessed of an unorthodox fighting style. He swayed left, then right, then left and right again as the monsters tried in vain to catch him. His constant movements confused them, and every time they went to attack, he would nick them with one of his swords. The odd warrior smiled at the monster’s frustration, and even laughed when one charged him.

He half-ducked, half-danced under a right-handed slash and came up with a vertical cut to the creature’s right side. It grunted and stumbled backward, gripping its side. The brown-skinned warrior laughed again.

“I hope ya got better strategy than your friend over der. Him not very graceful.…” He half turned as the second beast charged.

Seung had to push the strange foreigner out of her mind and finish her own fight, but the strange foreigner dodged every attack, while clanging his swords together in a particularly catchy rhythm; dodge,
cling clang cling
, dodge
cling clang cling
, dodge.

Both monsters slashed and grabbed and kicked, wanting nothing more than to rip the human apart. The second creature circled to the left and charged straight in, attempting to impale him with its razor-like claws. At the same time, the monster in front charged in, clawing at the brown warrior’s chest.

He dropped to one knee and at the same time, stabbed his left sword in front and the right sword behind. The second beast impaled itself on his left blade while the other blade stabbed through the clawed hands of the first monster. It stepped back and grabbed at its bleeding hand while its comrade was being cut down, slash by slash.

The monster behind him distracted, Kenyatta went on the offensive. He hopped to his feet and began systematically slashing left, right, up and down. He cut the beast high, then low, then high again in a blur of combinations that left the watching villagers in awe. The overwhelmed beast was backed into a tree and was held up only by the unrelenting barrage of those two swords. Abruptly the warrior turned his attention to the first beast, leaving the second leaning lifeless against the tree, covered in its own purple blood. It was dead before it fell to the ground.

Seung ducked and turned, skipped aside and countered, all the while whirling her weapon to keep the monsters at bay and dealing damage at the same time. One of the beasts grabbed at her with one huge, clawed hand, only to feel the bite of her weapon in the left side of its chest. It recoiled, reflexively grabbing at its chest with the nub where its left hand should have been. The creature to its left charged while the other circled, attempting to flank her.

The tactic was crude and obvious, and Seung gripped the shaft of her double-edged weapon, both hands close together. She spun the weapon vertically like the blades of the ancient airplanes her aunt used to tell her about. As she spun the weapon, she turned her body in place, bringing the spinning weapon left to right and cutting the monsters from groin to chin. The monsters were caught before they could react, and their purple blood spattered over the third monster who had foolishly waded into the fray.

Kim was more than a little curious about his foreign ally as they sprinted into the village. He was obviously not Korean, as his features were very different. At first sight, he was unsure, as the farmers of the village tended to be dark of pigment from the many hours working in the sun. Up close, however, he could see clearly that this friend was brown from heritage.

They followed the trail of screams and broken statues and fountains. One home had been completely demolished, but no sign of the family was found. That was a small relief, at least. They stopped abruptly as they heard the roar of one of the monsters coming from their right. They turned and sped toward the east end of the village and soon found that two monsters were chasing villagers while being hit by rocks and spears. The assault did little more than irritate the savages, but it bought Kim and his new ally enough time to reach them. The two warriors entered the area, enlarged by the destruction of yet another home, and Kim worked his way to the left while the other warrior moved to the right. He nodded to the newcomer who leaped directly at the beast closest to him with enough force to knock it off balance and wedge his staff between its legs, dropping it sprawling in the dirt. Seeing that the stranger had things under control, Kim rushed the second monster that was stalking toward him.