Oni - Part 1

Oni Slashed violently, a scimitar in one hand and a small throwing blade in the other. The handle had a ring on the bottom, where a finger may be placed to aid in the knive's uses as a throwing tool. His Steele-gray eyes flashed dangerously, as Artemis - his mentor for 13 years - lunged with his short sword, using the wicked dagger in his other hand to knock Oni's attack harmlessly away. With his curving scimitar, Oni deflected the sword while spinning behind Artemis and bringing his knife towards the side of the old weapon master's throat. Artemis, in turn, spun opposite to block the incoming threat. The scene was one of Vehement beauty, a bittersweet dance of skill and blade. Artemis turned to the right, leading with his sword. The new attack was blocked by the student's knife as he spun opposite Artemis, sending both combatants sliding several feet backwards.

"So you've improved," breathed the masterful teacher with a taunting smile, "slightly." As he finished, he launched his next move, a treacherous two-part attack with his sword coming across high, and his dagger coming up from below. With reflexes like lightning, Oni defeated both attacks with the knife while he jumped back out of his wise teacher's range, nearly knocking both sword and dagger from Artemis's experienced grasp.

"Slightly?" scoffed the proud young pupil, remembering how poorly he fought his mentor the first time they encountered -- and the 13 years of training afterwards. He too was smiling. "You now what I've endured, the training I've gone through… and you know how much I have truly learned from your teachings."

"Endured?" Artemis asked slyly, lowering his weapons slightly.

"Yes, the torture you call lessons!" The young man grinned, as he noticed the drop in his mentor's defenses.

"That was merely the tutelage a child would receive if he were to be a true warrior!" The teacher emphasized his exaggeration, as the two began to circle.

"You consider me a child?" Oni asked, keeping step with Artemis, then slowly closing the gap between the two.

"No, I consider you a fool"

"Well a fool I may be, but this fool will have the last laugh!" Oni, thinking his mentor had completely dropped his guard, exclaimed the remark while launching a kick at his mentor's head. Expecting the move, Artemis dropped to his knees, and then rose behind the spinning student with his dagger at Oni's throat, and his sword to his back, preventing him form moving, unless he wanted to loose his spine or his head. With a sigh, Oni dropped his weapons in surrender.

"I was close!" Remarked the cocky young man.

"An assassin who is close, is an assassin who is dead." Replied Artemis with a grimace.

"I was closer than last time we sparred."

"Then you will be less dead." Answered Artemis, as a smile crept on to his withered face for the second time that day. "But still dead."

It was at this very moment that the sun's morning glow began to rise over the treetops. The two had sparred through most of the night, taking each other to their very limits. Both of them were weary, to the point of exhaustion.

"Return to these grounds at noon, Oni. I will tell you the results of your evaluation then. I expect you to rest until then."

[xxx{========>

Oni returned to his quarters, but he claimed little rest that day. His mind swarmed with memories of his past, of his parents. He remembered first his mother. Thoughts of her singing, thoughts of her as she cared for him while he was young. He remembered his father, teaching him to hunt, and praising Oni because of his inexplicable ability to learn so easily merely by observing. No one was sure if it was skill, or natural talent. When he finally found sleep, his thoughts were replaced by nightmares. Vividly reminding him of his parents death, as they were murdered by the thugs of an unknown feudal lord. He grimmaced in his sleep, as relived how he was forced to watch their gruesome torture, and hideous mutilation. He awoke to the memory of his vow to get revenge.

At noon Oni stepped out onto the training field once more. Surprisingly, Artemis wasn't there. It didn't take long for Oni to decide it wasn't one of the traps that Artemis has been known to set for him, testing his awareness, reflexes and overall skill.

"He's probably still sleeping, the old bastard." Oni chuckled. He wandered the training field, waiting for the man, while going over his years of training.

Artemis took him in, after Oni had survived without a family for several weeks. Using his hunting skills, he was able to hunt for food. Then he met Artemis. The old hermit had agreed to take him in, and in exchange, Oni was to be his servant for fifteen years. Their bond eventually grew beyond that. The two had began to talk, to share their innermost thoughts, and in time they shared their pasts. First Oni, telling Artemis about his parent's deaths, then Artemis told Oni about his past as a skilled assassin. He told Oni why he fled to the outskirts of a little known village, and told Oni about his partner, who dreamed about starting a group of assassins, and then possibly start a clan. Shortly afterwards, Artemis's partner was killed, and Artemis left the life of an assassin.

While deep in thought, Oni stumbled over a small wooden box. It was quite old, with the name "Kronik" freshly etched into the top of the lid. When he reached down to pick up the box, his mind was flooded with memories of his long talks with Artemis. He remembered when Artemis spoke of a wooden box that his teacher had given to him, the box that acted as a symbol of graduation from apprenticeship. He opened the case revealing only two items; inside was a single blade, and a glove, which had but a single gem set in the palm.

"You have learned every lesson I have taught you." Came a voice from behind. Oni turned to see his mentor staring him in the eyes, but Oni wasn't sure if Artemis was seeing him, or if the old man was staring deep into their 13 year past. "And you have learned them well. Even if you sometimes forget to use your head, your amazing instincts lead you the unyielding, inevitable outcome that will always keep you one step ahead of your enemies."

Oni could only stand there, his expression one of sincere understanding.

"I have decided today that I can no longer teach you. Only life and the road that you choose to follow will be able to give you the lessons you must learn." The man paused, but his deep expression remained. "You are no longer my apprentice."

Oni stood still, his expression still unchanging. However deep in his heart, he wondered what Artemis, the man he had come to know as a close friend, even as a father could be implying.

"Nor are you Oni Ookami Tamashii." He continued, as his gaze fell over the old wooden box, still clenched in Oni's hands. "Now I name you Kronik, the Assassin."

He looked back to Oni's eyes. "Your dancing blades shall precede you as the weaver of nightmares."

"Of course, you still have two years as my servant, according to our deal, remember?"

"Yes sir" was all Oni could manage to say.

"No, not sir… not any more." Artemis interrupted. "Call me… friend." He said with a grin.

"Thank you, Artemis," Oni managed to choke out. "For everything." He finished, as tears streaked his face. He turned to leave, and return to his quarters, but Artemis stopped him.

"By the way…" he began, as Oni turned to see his deceptive smile, "You'll have a student."

[xxx{==========>

The next day was marked for the arrival of Akuma, the young man to be trained by Kronik, in his first mission as an assassin. Artemis had explained to Kronik the details of the training the day before.

"For the next year, you are to train him in the art of battle, and nothing more."

"What else would I teach someone wanting to be a warrior?"

"That's just it… he wants to be a mage."

"Then why…?" asked a confused Kronik

"A mage is a magic user, usually one of great and terrible power. But countless mages have fallen to the likes of an assassin, because of the one thing all magic users have in common. A mage is deadly at long range, but what can they do in a close combat situation?"

"Of course… But why am I training him, and a mage of all things?"

"Because, I cannot teach you anything more, but you still have much to learn. The best way to learn is to teach. You are teaching a mage the basic fighting skills, because I owe a favor to the Lord of the Mage's Tower in Haltara, south of the great eastern plains."

"Very well, I will do as I am asked. But what methods to I use?"

"Do what you see fit." Replied Artemis. "…Only use deadly force if needed." he said as an after thought.

The hour set for Akuma's arrival came, and then went. It was almost mid-day when the young man, roughly the same age as Kronik, entered the training ground.

"You're late!" said Kronik, his face set in a glare, and his tone cold as ice.

"At least I showed up!" came a sarcastic reply. Akuma was thin, with an obvious lack of physical discipline. His hair was shoulder length and unkempt. He dropped his things and began to casually stroll to the spot where Kronik stood. Or at least where Kronik was standing. Akuma blinked and looked around. Then he felt the cold touch of a blade across his throat. Kronik now stood behind him.

"You have no right to speak in this place, magical fool." Stated Kronik coldly, while he secretly admired how cool he must seem.

"No, you are the fool!" shouted Akuma as he drew a handful of red dust from his pocket. "Flame Torrent!" he shouted, as he threw the dust in the air, and it ignited.

As the flames dissipated, Akuma stood there smirking. "What did he send me here for?"

"Because of this!" was the last thing he heard before a blow to the back of his head rendered him unconscious.

Kronik had easily evaded the magical attack and now stood leaning at the base of a nearby tree, angry at being called a fool for the second time in two days. His anger vanished as quickly as the flames, though, and with a laugh, he watched as Artemis had knocked out Akuma. He too had been knocked out for questioning the training of his mentor.

The training from there went rather smoothly, with Akuma humbled by how easily he had been hit by both Kronik and by Artemis. On many occasions, His face was red from being slapped, Kronik's favorite way of letting him know there was an opening in his defenses. First, they worked on basic training of movement, and simple coordination. Kronik knew that he could teach Akuma nothing, until he mastered balance and full control over his movements. After four months of exercises, drills, and slaps, Kronik moved on to hand to hand skills. Here, Akuma seemed to struggle at first. Kronik tried to teach simple techniques to Akuma, who eventually failed almost every time. Kronik then decided there is only one way to teach him.

"Prepare yourself."

"For what? More drills? Oh so much fun…" came the ever-sarcastic reply of Akuma.

"For a sparring match."

"Spar…!" was all Akuma could manage to get out before he jumped out of the way of an uppercut.

"what are you..?" Akuma tried again, only to receive a slap on the face.

"Do not hesitate. Attack with all you have, or you will only get slapped more."

Kronik pressed his point by launching a right hand, then dropping at the last second into a spin, landing a backhand against the side of his students face.

It went on like this for several days, with an occasional interruption by Artemis with one of his lectures.

"Stop hitting me!" shouted Akuma, his face red from the sting of his most recent failure.

"If I were to do that, you'd never learn to dodge!" replied Kronik, as he swung yet again. Akuma managed to duck the hand, but was caught in the face by Kronik's shoe.

"What the hell are you doing? I ducked!" came the angry reply of Akuma, his face starting to swell.

"Yes, but if an enemy comes to kill you, will they stop with one attack, or will they continue on, fighting to the death?"

After that Akuma and Kronik's training became a contest for the two, Kronik, attempting to land a strike on the swiftly improving Akuma, and Akuma trying to avoid them. In two months, Artemis, who had decided to inspect how well his student was able to teach, was amazed to see the two almost equal in combat, both their moves working to counter the others. When Kronik swung, Akuma blocked and lunged, only to see Kronik dodge and step in to kick. Neither one was able to land a blow on the either.

It went on for many minutes, their hands and feet a blur. Finally, after months of trying, Akuma was able to land a solid hit across his teacher's face. Then all motion ceased. The two only smiled at each other. In the short time they had been working together they had become close rivals, both trying to out perform the other. Each one's skills perfectly counteracted the other's. Rivals they were, but more accurately than that, they had become close friends. Akuma celebrated his victory, until a slap stopped him short.

"What was that for?" Asked Akuma, rubbing his face.

"You dropped your guard." Replied Kronik, who had been trying to teach Akuma to always be on guard in a fight, whether he had the advantage or not. They trained for two more months, in which both participants' skills increased dramatically. Then Kronik trained him in weapons. Kronik was surprised, and delighted to see that Akuma's favored style was the same as himself. They both used the double-knife style. They not only trained in wielding the knives for melee, but also as tools, used in desperate situations, and as throwing items, to be used to distract, or kill an enemy. Akuma excelled. After all of the previous training Kronik gave him, the weapons training became easy. He had already learned the body control and balance from his previous lessons, and he merely needed to learn simple skills before he was able to improvise completely with his knives.

Once again, Artemis watched as the two sparred. This time his intent wasn't to watch, but to add a lesson of his own. When the two fighters were at an equal standpoint, he launched several daggers. The daggers flew threw the air in silence, with deadly accuracy. Kronik, who had already gone through Artemis's training, noticed the movement before the daggers left his mentors hands. He ducked at the last second, allowing Akuma just enough time to dodge out of the way. Before he could ask his customary "What the hell?" he was on the ground with a kunai to his back.

"Lesson one" both Kronik and Artemis said together. "Always be aware of your surroundings, and any change that occurs, even the slightest"

With a grumble, Akuma merely nodded and rose to restart the spar. At lunch that day, Kronik and Akuma joined Artemis in his dining room. While Kronik was eating, Akuma decided to test his teacher. As Kronik raised his spoon, he received a slap on the face.

"Lesson one…" Akuma began, with a smile. Kronik smiled too, but for another reason. He had noticed Artemis shift slightly, pulling a small rope. Kronik slid back in his chair.

"Always be aware…" Akuma continued, until a heavy boot strung on a long chain descended in an arc from the high ceiling, connecting squarely on Akuma's jaw.

"Always be aware of your surroundings, and any change that occurs." Kronik finished for him with a laugh. Last time he ate lunch with, Artemis, he had left with a boot print on his chin.

For his final months Akuma did nothing but train, spar, and dodge Artemis's traps. His skills improved so fast, that Kronik couldn't help but swell with pride, as Artemis watched the progress with an approving smile. Akuma and Kronik had grown closer than ever, best friends, and bitter rivals. The two had even shared their pasts with each other. Kronik told of his parents' death and his life with Artemis, while Akuma told of his family, and the long list of mages in it.

They had both learned so much from each other, just as Artemis had planned it. Their final spar had lasted for two full nights, neither stopping for food or rest. When they had been fighting for forty eight hours, both of them had collapsed. Neither one had landed a single strike, been hit with any weapon, nor had they been deterred by any of the traps Artemis had cleverly stationed around the training area. The only wound to show was the scarred ground atop which they fought.

Three days later, Akuma stood on the training grounds, in his hands rested a wooden box. The name Skaith was roughly engraved into the top. Both Artemis and Kronik stood behind him.

"No longer will you be Akuma Mahou Tomodachi." Kronik began. "You are now Skaith, the assassin."

"Your extraordinary skill will cause your enemies fear, if your magic does not." Artemis finished for him. Akuma was ready to travel back to his home, the Mage's Tower in Haltara, to train for one year in the ways of the mage.

"You know," Kronik began with a smirk, "If you go, you'll never equal my skill in battle again. Ill be training, improving, while your skill dulls behind your magic."

"Maybe you'll be the better fighter," Replied Akuma, "but I'll always be the smarter one." He finished with a laugh, which all three assassins shared.

[xxx{=======>

"Your fifteen years of servitude will end in three days." Artemis said quietly, One year after Akuma had left. As he sat under the open sky, the moons dull glow illuminated his calm, scarred face.

"I stopped being your servant long ago." Was Kronik's only reply.

"Maybe so, but I have one more request." Artemis looked Kronik in the eyes, and with genuine sadness across his face, he spoke, "I would like you to hunt tonight, so that when you return, we may share our final feast."

"Final?" asked Kronik, as if the idea of him leaving was absurd.

"There are some enemies no blade can defeat. Age is one of them. Soon, very soon, age will take my life. Before that happens, I want to know that you were able to avenge your parents. I want to know that you will not tread the path of darkness. Promise me that you will never allow innocent blood to be spilt without justice."

"I promise…" choked Kronik, as he made his way to the forest.

"Not that way." called Artemis. "That forest has nothing that will suffice for such a feast. Travel south, to the Forest of Shadow. There you will find game challenging enough for your skill. The more challenging the hunt, the more satisfying the meal will be." He stared one last time at the moon, and then made his way inside. For the first time in his life, he ignored his instincts. He told himself that nothing would go wrong, as he entered his home, and he knew that Kronik's skills would provide them with the best food they have ever eaten.

[xxx{=======>

"Artemis was right," Kronik thought to himself. He had been tracking an enormous beast through the forest for over six hours. The travel had taken him one full day. He finally spotted the animal, grazing in a nearby patch of grass. Kronik readied his kunai knives, a total of seven. In one swift motion, he let all of them fly, each one striking a vital organ on the animal. It stumbled around, let out a mournful wail, and then fell to the forest floor. As Kronik approached, to clean the and reclaim his knives, he was shocked to see that the knives had stuck into the ground, because the beast had become nothing more than a pile of ashes, blowing away in the cool breeze. What surprised him more was the stone on which the beast fell. It was glowing red.

Before Kronik could ask himself what was going on, the stone cooled, and a large crack appeared across its entire circumference. It appeared to be hollow. Without a thought, Kronik kicked the top from the stone, and peered inside. He saw that it contained an ancient looking scroll. It showed no signs of any burns. Kronik, compelled to open the scroll, reached into the now crumbling rock, and unclasped the wax stamp. He unrolled the scroll and read.

Cursed be you, who reads this relic, for your soul is now mine to devour. Your body will be my vessel, and your mind will be lost to thee. Through your eyes, I shall see the destruction of this world, and by your hands I shall bring terror and death to the existence of mortal men. Now call me to your spirit, and let me be free!

Another large beast approached, stalking the young man. Its eyes narrowed, as it prepared to strike. Its large claws, sharpened to deadly precision, scratched the ground in preparation. The beast's teeth bared.

"D…De…" Kronik fought it will all of his will, but the overriding command of the entity, it forced him to speak.

"DEMON!" Cried Kronik, as horrific scenes blurred his vision. His silver pupils glowed red, as he dropped to his knees, his hands over his head, almost as if he were trying to tear out his own hair. He gasped for breath, as his heart began to burn.

The beast watched his prey, and was only moments from attacking. As Kronik let out a grotesque scream, the gigantic wolf leapt onto him. It clawed viscously, its huge jaws snapping for Kronik's throat.

With a jolt the wolf stopped. It felt is life leaving, as it began its slow descent towards the ground. The curse had been interrupted. The demon had not taken Kronik, but had been locked into his subconscious, along with the soul of the beast.

As the animal fell from Kronik, the large teeth which the wolf had tried to bore into the back of Kronik's head fell free.

The wolf's soul and the demons spirit fought with Kronik's own will for control. Barley able to stand, and quickly loosing rational thought, Kronik began to lumber toward his home. His hands were more like claws, his teeth had grown, and his eyes glowed red. His hair had gone from smooth and black to ruffled and white. His only thoughts were scarred by the demon's influence. He wasn't going home for help. The wolf-like young man was going home to kill. In the power struggle for control, the demon had won.

[xxx{=========>

There was no knock at the door, but Artemis was there anyway. He had a feeling that something bad has happened. He grabbed his gear, and rushed to the door. Or he would have, except the door had burst into splinters as he arrived. A young man stood there. A young man who had once been the old man's student. A young man who had been only one day before, Kronik. His eyes were again silver, and his transformation had begun to return to his normal state. His wounds, however, were still there. As Artemis made to move toward Kronik, a glint in the eyes of the young man told him to stop. Those same eyes then burst into a bright shade of glowing red, as Kronik reached into his holster and drew a kunai. Artemis, who had understood the situation as soon as he saw his student's eyes, drew his sword and dagger. He had heard of the ancient scrolls of demonic sacrifice, but he had believed them all destroyed. If this had indeed been the cause of the change in his student, he didn't expect to survive. Kronik and Artemis fought in a battle greater than either had ever known, Kronik's skills amplified by the demon, and his reflexes and senses augmented by the wolf. Artemis fell to a knee, his age taking its toll. Kronik moved to leap onto his prey, but was caught in mid leap by a gust of wind, suspending him in mid-air as Artemis plunged his sword deep into the heart of his student. In that instant, Artemis heard a cry from outside the structure. He glanced out the broken window to see another man with an arm outstretched, using the same magic used to hold Kronik in mid-air, lowering his limp, and now normal body to rest on the ground. Skaith had returned.

Artemis had to work fast. He gave several commands to Skaith, as he placed the dying body on the table. Without question, Skaith followed them obediently. With growing fear that his long time friend may not survive, Artemis began to chant to a long, sharp needle, which began to glow red hot.

"what are you doing?" Skaith asked breathlessly.

"I'm doing the only thing possible to save his life." Replied Artemis as he began to burn a circle into the back of Kronik's neck. Around the circle, he burned ancient symbols, and then drew four long lines, boxing in the circle. Inside the circle he drew an x. He began to chant again, as he drew a spike across each of the four lines. With a shout, he finished the seal, and it began to glow.

With a scream, the barely conscious Kronik saw the horrible images, he heard the tormenting voice, and he heard the howl of the wolf, as they were all sealed into subconscious mind.

"Is it done?" asked Skaith, recognizing the old man's spell as an ancient magic.

"The demon is sealed, but I fear his wounds will surely kill him."

"leave it to me!" Shouted Skaith as he wiped the tears from his face. He took a knife from his holster, and cut a long gash across his arm. He held the bleeding limb to Kronik's chest, over his impaled heart. He began to quickly chant, using the most powerful and most dangerous healing spell he had learned while he studied in the Mages Tower. If he failed, they both would die. All of the images, voices and cries that haunted Kronik washed over Skaith, as both fell into cold blackness.

[xxx{==========>

Both young men woke at the same time, two weeks later. Kronik had returned to normal, his wounds healed by Skaith's spell. Skaith, too was perfectly healed.

As soon as he saw Artemis, Kronik explained everything, while it was still vividly burned into his mind. Artemis explained the consequences of these events, while the two listened intently.

"The demon and the wolf are not gone. They are locked in Kronik's mind. He has full control, unless he lets his emotions overpower him." He said grimly. "Skaith, in using such an unorthodox spell, you have also encountered the entity, but you were not infected. A link between you two, however, will forever be present between you, but what that means, I do not know."

After Kronik regained full control over his mind, and the three shared their experiences, Skaith returned to the Mages Tower. Kronik had some peculiar effects, however. His instincts, senses, and overall skill were highly advanced. Artemis could only guess it was the presence of the wolf spirit.

"That seal on your neck will never go away. But neither will the wolf or the demon." Artemis spoke as he ate two weeks later. "You have trained you body to be strong, but you must now train your will as well. The seal can only do so much. If you let it, the demon will take control again."

Kronik said nothing, he merely turned and left for the training grounds. He spent three days there. When he was finally able to comprehend his situation, he returned home. He hadn't thanked Artemis. The cool night air swept through Kronik's black hair as he watched the moon while he walked.

Skaith too watched the moon. His neck had been slightly throbbing, burning, and he knew it was the link to Kronik. He noticed it had stopped, and he knew too, that Kronik had found peace.

Kronik stepped onto the grounds of his home early that morning. How much he had to tell Artemis! He wanted to thank Artemis for all of his help. He had learned to accept that he had a demon inside him, and he had even begun to learn how to control the power that came with it. Most of all, he missed his mentor. It was the day appointed by Artemis for their feast.

The feast would never come, Kronik somehow knew, as he approached the door hanging off its hinges. He entered the room, to see the carnage. The entire home was in shambles. With short breath, Kronik entered the study. The floor was soaked with blood.

And in the middle of the room, lay the body of Artemis, the man who had raised him for 15 years. Kronik, tears running down his face, buried his mentor at the training grounds where the two had spent almost all of their time. Kronik returned to the home, to find a scroll where Artemis had been killed. The scroll bore a single symbol. The same symbol that was left by the thugs who had killed his parents.

Skaith felt a burning pain such as he had never felt before, as Kronik left his home to avenge his parents, and Artemis.

"By the time the sun rises, they will already be dead." The demon laughed inside Kronik's mind. And as Kronik still stared at the moon, he silently agreed.

Oni - Part 2

Kronik thrashed violently… he had let his emotions get out of control. The demon was trying to take control. Part of Kronik wanted to let go. Why should he care if the demon takes over? What good harm it possibly do? An even better question was, did he care. Kronik continued to walk along the path he had been walking for two days, since the death of Artemis. Kronik's eyes flashed red. He was loosing to the demon inside, calling to him to let it, to let it feast on the blood of innocence. He was on the verge of loosing total control, when for some reason unknown to Kronik his mind raced backwards. He remembered his promise to Artemis. His promise to avoid the darkness, and to avenge the innocent. As Kronik found new strength, he fought back the demon's influence. With one final memory Kronik was able to force the commanding demon's voice away entirely. He remembered the funeral he had given for Artemis.

[xxx{=====>

"You were my only family. Skaith has gone to be a mage. You left me with only this glove, my kunai, and my promise. " Kronik cried, as he stood over the mound that now housed the corpse of his closest friend.

"Artemis… I will find them. I will avenge my parents, and I will avenge you. This demon will not be my curse, it will be my greatest asset. And I will never forget your teachings. Kronik stopped one last time at his mentor's home. He packed the essential items he needed to travel. He packed food, money, and filled his belt with kunai knives.

As he made his way out the door, his gaze fell upon a small wooden box. He opened it, and removed the jeweled glove, kunai, and dark red mask. He also took with the lid to that box, a lid with the name Kronik carved into it.

[xxx{=======>

With the demon subdued, Kronik continued on his travels. He did not know where he was going, who he was hunting, or what he would do if he found them. All he knew was that he could not avenge his family or Artemis by staying in the lonely old house that belonged the old man. Kronik stared at the glove. He had never bothered to ask Artemis what the significance of the jewel in its palm was. He slid it smoothly onto his right hand. It fit perfectly, contouring perfectly with his hand. The gem shone brightly in the sunlight. He the pulled the red cloth mask up over the bridge of his nose, so that only the top of his face was visible. He wore a black cloak over a pair of black pants, and a loose-fitting black shirt. His mask, combined with his black hair and the determined set of his face, mad him seem an imposing figure indeed if one were to spot him. But Kronik didn't intend to be seen, not yet. And if an assassin as skilled as he doesn't wish to be seen, he is not seen. He rested through the remainder of the day. When finally night came, he continued his long and dark journey. His path was his and his alone, he believed. Maybe he was right.

[xxx{======>

Skaith had been training in the ways of the mage for a very long time. He had grown up in a family known for their skill in magic. He was no different, unless you count the fact that his skill could easily exceed the most powerful of his ancestors, if he could learn to tap into it. This abnormal skill was not his own however. He had indeed found side effects from the unusual spell he used to save Kronik. He had an increased sense of awareness, his overall abilities skyrocketed, and a nagging pain found its way to his neck every night. This pain had nothing to do with anything the mage did, he knew.

"Kronik, why are you tormented so?" he thought to himself as he sat awake the very night Kronik had buried Artemis. His last memories of the two were not happy ones. Kronik had lost control of himself, to a demon. As Artemis fought the feind incarnate, Skaith had arrived to visit his teachers. Sensing danger, he had used one of his spells to bind Kronik with wind, unknowing of Artemis's lunging sword. The sword had pierced the heart of his already wounded friend. In a last minute use of magic, Skaith had given his own blood in order to save the young man.

Once the spell was complete, the two were bound to each other by a link. The same spot that the demon seal was burned into Kronik, had burned skaith as well. It wasn't visible, but skaith knew it for what it was. The demon had called to him while his spell was working. Knowing its end was near, the demon had infused some of its power into skaith, allowing him to complete the dangerous magic. That power remained, a lasting reminder of skaith's sacrifice. Skaith knew of kronik's pain. He could sense it as the link burned, skaith somehow knew his friend was in pain. He knew Kronik had fled. What he didn't know was why.

"Tomorrow I become a full fledged mage," He whispered into the night. "then I will go to you, Artemis. And I will learn of what has happened to cause so much pain." As he spoke the last of his promise, he fell into a deep sleep. He dreamed of his return, of artemis greeting him with a hug, and springing a trap He dreamed of defeating his best friend Kronik in battle. He dreamed of a happy reunion with celebration, laughter, and food. How much sleep would he have gotten if he had already known the truth?

[xxx{=====>

Kronik continued to walk throughout the night, covering a great distance. He walked quickly and openly, unafraid of bandits that are ever present on such roads. He kept his eyes closed, for he did not need them on this narrow path, which was only wide enough for two one-horse carriages to travel at one time. He kept his hands in the pockets of his flowing black cloak. The wind rolled by softly, blowing the young man's striking, black shoulder length hair from his face. Without warning, Kronik stopped walking, and before he opened his eyes, he called out

"Who are you, and why are you following me?" when no response came, he threw his cloak wide and spun as launched a streaking kunai into a nearby tree. Before the man who had been hiding there even heard the thud of the kunai as it sank into the wood, his terrified gaze met the burning eyes of the assassin, who had easily sprang from the dusty path onto the branch he now stood atop.

"Who are you, and why are you following me?" the assassin repeated. He had no enemies. None, at least, that knew of him. It didn't help the man's case that Kronik didn't particularly want anyone to know where he was going. As a matter of fact, Kronik himself didn't know where he was going.

"I'm not following you, I was just sleeping here," the man replied lazily as he met Kronik's gaze, "until you woke me up, thank you very much"

"Is that so?" came Kronik's unbelieving reply. "And I suppose you've been sleeping in every seventh tree for the last mile as well?" he continued irritably. "Seeing as I've known where you were since you began to trail me." He never dropped his gaze. Kronik could sense no hostility, but lazy man had obviously been following him. And he had done it quite well. An untrained man would have never known he was there. Kronik was far from untrained though.

"Yeah, it's so. I have no clue hat you are talking about, now if you'll excuse me," He said with an exaggerated yawn. "I have to get back to work now." The man then sat back in the crook of the tree bough and lowered his black hat over his eyes. Kronik left without question, as the man began to snore loudly. He was lying, Kronik knew, but it didn't matter. He wanted to keep his profile unknown and without incident. With a chuckle, Kronik came to realize he had left the man for another reason. He was laid back in appearance, but clearly he was skilled. With another chuckle, Kronik decided that he left the man not because of skill, but because he liked the fellow. As the man watched Kronik from under the brim of his hat, he smiled too.

"This one is gonna be fun," is said with a quiet laugh. And with that, he left Kronik to his peace, and returned to the small village four miles from the place where their meeting had happened.

[xxx{======>

"You are sure he is alone?" the cracked voice echoed in Blaze Alias' ear. He knew that there was no danger in letting the stranger enter the village.

"Sir, it's me, I circled the area four times. He is alone."

"Blaze, you said he caught you," coughed the old man. "What would anyone of such skill want in this area other than to steal our secrets?"

"If he wanted to kill me, he would have struck when he had me pinned in the tree. He is no enemy."

"We cannot be sure. I want you to keep a close watch. If he does enter our peaceful village, I want it to stay peaceful." stated the general as he turned to pour some tea. "Understand?"

"Yes Sir!" was all grumbled. When the general turned again to offer some tea to Blaze, he was gone. He sat down and sipped his tea, as he wondered what the approach of such a person could mean to his quiet little village.

[xxx{====>

Skaith knew something was wrong. He could feel it. The pain in his neck had stopped long ago. This feeling was something else. He had to get to Artemis quickly.

"What is this, Artemis?" he asked himself. What is this that nags at me to return?"

He had improved greatly in his magic since he had last seen Kronik. His specialty was the use of the wind element in his spells. He was currently moving at a speed twice that of a normal man, and half as tiring. He called it wind walking. He only needed to summon a cushion of air under each foot, on top of which he could glide, rather than walk. Even at this pace, he was still three days from Artemis, and much farther from Kronik.

Without any prior warning, both of the air bubbles burst, sending skaith into a headlong tumble before he rolled to his feet, and pulled his blue mask, almost identical to Kronik's, over his face. Something had broken his concentration. With a shout, a large bandit burst from the underbrush, a large sword in hand. Skaith merely held out his hand, and the bandit's sword stopped inches form Skaith's outstretched arm. The more the bandit urged his oversized sword toward his enemy, the harder the wind blew. Skaith smirked as he raised his outstretched arm, and the bandit too rose toward the skies.

With a wave of his hand and a flick of his wrist, the bandit was slammed hard against a tree, knocking him out, and putting a large indent in the wood. Skaith muttered a few more words and the air pockets returned under his feet. Artemis had never allowed bandits this close to his home. Without a word, he was back on his way.

[xxx{=======>

Oni - Part 3

"What business do you have here?" growled the guard that now stood brandishing a razor sharp pole-arm inches from the chest of the young man who stood before him, cloaked in black and wearing a red mask over his face, so that only his calm, deep eyes showed under his black bangs. n

"I am only passing. Please, I do not mean you or your peaceful village any harm," came Kronik's soft spoken reply. "I just need to rest and replenish my supplies, then I will continue on my way."

"You'll be continuing on back the way you came without a fight," The growling voice stated flatly as the guard moved a step closer. "or I'll be sending back the way you came anyway. The choice is yours."

Kronik stood silently and contemplated the man. Kronik held no doubt that he could kill the man. But neither did he want to stir up any trouble, nor did he wish to harm the man. "Please, I have traveled many days and nights. I am weary, and I have nothing but crumbs and an empty canteen to sustain me. If I might be allowed to enter for a few mere hours, I would gladly pay…"

"You'll be paying in more than gold if you don't stop your annoying tongue from moving."

"You do not understand!" Kronik stated coolly, his patience with the angry man wearing thin. Maybe he would kill him. "I need to get to the pass beyond this village. If I can not enter here, I will have to travel for several days just to get around the base of this mountain."

"Then you better start walking. These gates close in a matter of moments, and they will not open until dawn. You aren't getting through these gates before then, and if I find you out here after they close, I will gladly send you to your destination in pieces." He jabbed at Kronik's shoulder to prove his point, but before the tip of the pole-arm came anywhere near him, Kronik spun out of the weapons path, bearing his knives. Kronik would have struck a killing blow at that very moment, had he had a target to attack. Kronik dove forward just in time to avoid another jab from the pole-arm, this time from behind him.

"How did he?" Kronik had begun to ask himself as he rose from his dive, only to find the blade of the guards pole only inches from his face, once again in front of him. Without hesitation, Kronik jumped back to distance himself from the man, and releasing a kunai before his feet touched down to the ground. Kronik watched in awe as the guard easily stepped out of the weapons path, at a speed that no human could possibly attain.

Realizing his vulnerability, Kronik dashed to the cover of a nearby outcropping of stone, a natural three walled structure that offered protection on the right, left and rear flank of the occupant. The moment his feet touched the rough stone ground, angled to offer the higher ground to the occupant, Kronik readied himself for the approach of the guard. Before the man even came into the assassin's line of sight, three kunai knives were streaking toward their target, followed by two more knives, thrown in a perfect formation, one which altered the perceived depth, and effectively causing their target to misjudge the distance between the knives. With simple alterations in his path, the guard easily avoided the first, second and third knives as Kronik sunk into a crouch in the narrow alcove.

"So his speed is only relative to his feet," Noted Kronik as he watched the man's reactions to the knives. "Now to see if he can match that speed with his eyes and his with his head." Kronik finished the thought as he drew another kunai, this one equipped with a small whistle, into his well trained hand as the man, who had narrowly avoided the fourth knife, and was still charging up the slop towards the assassin.

Kronik smiled slightly as he set his plan into motion, preparing to jump. The guard wove his way around the last of the knives as Kronik leapt into the air, clearing the charging man and landing behind him.

"You are a fool," snickered the guard as he held his pole-arm in front of him. "You have given up the favorable position, not that it would help against me."

The two had completely changed places, the guard now in the three walled structure, and Kronik now facing uphill towards his speedy foe. Kronik spun, concealing his movement as he drew the last remaining deadly knife, then leapt into the air, giving him a direct line of sight to the guard as he sent the special kunai he had drawn before whistling towards the man's head. Just as Kronik had expected, the guard heard the whistle and turned slightly as he moved to the left, directly in the path of the kunai Kronik had concealed. The quick guard's feet began to move before the knife had even entered into his thoughts. With a speed even greater than any that the guard had previously shown, he quickly dashed out of the way as he turned back to his right.

The knives were never meant to hit him, he then realized, before he could stop his own movement.

"The assassin had been positioning me," he thought, as his eyes grew wide, "and he did so by weaving a web, one that if I strayed of his set course, would have left me with a knife in my chest." He quickly closed his eyes, before the resounding thud of his body colliding with one of the unforgiving walls that surrounded him echoed off the stone he had trapped him. Just as Kronik had planned. Kronik looked back and sighed. Their battle, although it had taken only a few minuets, had brought them almost a half mile from the gate.

"I guess I cant leave him here," Kronik thought, regarding the unconscious guard and the large bruise forming on the side of his head, "or else he might be eaten by the creatures of he night." The honorable assassin hoisted the man over his shoulder, and carried him half of the distance back to the gate. "Its closed by now," he thought to himself, as he set the man down to make camp. "I will have to take him back in the morning." Kronik spent the night staring off into the night sky. Rarely did he sleep. Any slumber he had attempted to find as he traveled on the road was interrupted by recurring nightmares. Visions of darkness, of the demon that inhabited his mind, clouded his dreams. He spent the remainder of the night watching the shadows, and making sure that the guard did not endure any more injuries, and tending to the ones he did have. The man was seriously injured, his head colliding with the stone at such a speed could have killed him.

"Maybe that would be better for you." He whispered to the chill air. "you would never have to suffer again. You would never have the chance to know pain. To know true suffering. To know the torment I now endure."

He shook the thoughts form his head and looked again towards the silvery moon as it began to descend, calling forth another day, another chance to continue his quest, and another chance for him to face the problems that haunted him so.

He watched the moon's descent, while many miles away, another pair of eyes watched the very same moon. The eyes of skaith, as he reached the doorstep of an old and unkempt cottage. The door swung open with a loud, empty squeal. Skaith entered the home and his eyes fell upon a scroll set upon dusty table. Skaith picked up the scroll and read, as tears filled his eyes, as he read the note Kronik had left him. His fingers trembled as he read the final sentences of the scroll. The sentences Kronik wanted him to see the most.

"Im leaving this place. I am going to keep my last promise, to avenge my family, and to avenge Artemis. The mark I found near their bodies is identical, and is forever etched into my soul."

"Etched into your soul…" he repeated, as his gaze fell upon another message left by Kronik. A symbol cut deep into the table. A symbol skaith knew well. It was the symbol of the very powerful Feng clan. It was the symbol of his father's closest friend

Oni - Part 4

As the dawn approached, Kronik arrived at the gate, still carrying the unconscious guard atop his shoulders. The air was crisp and chill, as a light breeze wafted by. Kronik gently laid the man against the wall and awaited the gates opening.

"I'm sorry to cause you so much trouble." He said quietly to the sleeping man. "But I must get through this village." He turned to look back to the path he had taken.

He wondered how far he would have to go, and if he would ever see his only friend ever again. "Akuma," he muttered to himself as he absent mindedly reached for the seal on the back of his neck, "can even you understand my suffering?"

As he gazed off down the long road, a slight rustle in the tree boughs nearby brought a smirk to his contemplative expression.

"You again?" he asked, not bothering to move his stare from the path.

"Haha!," came a familiarly sarcastic response. "You are good," it continued as the man from the road landed next to Kronik, who had now shifted slightly to look at the man. No longer did he wear the mantle of a simple traveler, now he was dressed in the fine garments one might find on a general or a noble. "I see you have met Ryushim," he laughed, as he looked to the motionless guard, "I apologize for his abruptness. We normally do not accept visitors unless they first speak with the master of this village. He is currently away on diplomatic business." His look suddenly became serious, and he turned fully to face the silent assassin. "What did you come for, assassin. What purpose would someone of your obvious skill possibly have with our calm village?" He didn't wait for a response, as he pressed forward, "This village holds many secrets. It is a haven for those who seek to be alone, and for those who wish to live in peace. This is a town of rogues, and people who do not wish to be bothered by the outside world. And many of our people have no where else to go. I warn you that this is more than a village. To many, this community is a family that each and every one would fight to protect. Now I ask you again assassin, what is your purpose here?"

Kronik returned the man's stare fully, and silently. After several long moments, he spoke.

"I wish to travel through your small, peaceful town. I only need to rest and gather supplies, then leave through the opposite gate. I would be no more than three days." He continued to stare deeply into the man's eyes. The man returned the look with one of understanding. Simply from looking in his eyes, blaze knew he could trust him.

"Blaze Alias," he said as he extended a hand. "You will be my guest for three days, and then you are to leave."

With a sincere smile, he shook Blaze's hand and turned as the gate began to open.

Kronik looked again to the guard, Ryushim, who's condition seemed to have greatly improved. Without another glance Kronik made to follow blaze into the village, until a slight shifting sound caused him to stop. Before he could react, and before blaze even noticed the guard had suddenly awoken, the blade of Ryushim's pole arm pierced deeply into kronik's side. The wound was deep, as blood poured onto the ground, and his vision began to blur. A small crowd had gathered as Blaze pulled the weapon from the wound.

"You fool!" He spat at Ryushim, "He is no enemy!" Ryushim had only been half aware of the conversation that had taken place only a few feet from him. It all came clear at that moment, as the images of his battle were replaced by the voice of blaze inviting into the village the man who now stood before him, bleeding from a wound he had made.

Blaze worked furiously, his attempts to close the deep cut failing. He then looked to the small crowd around him for assistance, until his eyes fell upon a beautiful woman. Her golden-red hair seemed to glow, even past the simple clothes she wore

"Tess!" he called to her, knowing her medical skills to be far beyond his own. Since she had come to the village, she had become one of the most protective people there. She cared for everyone there like a family, especially the young orphan she had taken in as her own. "Can you help this man?" Blaze called to her.

She nodded and began to make her way through the crowd, just as Kronik raised his head. Their eyes met, and something she saw stopped her. She saw the torment in his eyes, she saw the all pain he had ever known. "No!" She stopped and backed away. "I cannot help him." She turned and quickly walked away, unnerved by what she saw. She may have been one of the few who could have seen it. She had seen more than the pain. She had seen the demon. She had no fear of the demon, but she did have a fear of letting this man in her village. She alone knew the power of a demons influence. She alone knew the damage that he could bring to her home, her family. She alone, had a secret much like his.

Skaith looked back at the old house as he made his way to the road he knew Kronik had taken, and sighed. There were many questions that were unanswered.

And if I do find the answers, what new questions might they bring? He had thought to himself as he contemplated what he was able to discern from Artemis's private library and kronik's ominous note. He had learned that his father's closest friend had led the Feng clan for more than twenty years, and that he was a peaceful man. A book Artemis himself had penned simply stated that the leader of the clan that had apparently killed both artemis, and the parents of his closest friend, had been a man who refused to act without reason, and, despite the blood thirsty edge that many in the clan held, no one in the clan would dare act against him. Logically the only possible conclusion would be that the leader had ordered the attacks.

But would my father befriend such a man? He asked himself with another sigh. There was still so much confusion to be dealt with.

Skaith looked back at the old house as he made his way to the road he knew kronik had taken. He then looked to the mountains in the distance that held his homeland. He reached to the back of his neck and felt a twinge of pain emanating from the red mark that had appeared there, similar to the seal burned into the neck of kronik.

"Whatever pain you are enduring, I apologies, my friend." He said to the breeze. "but before I can find you, I must know the truth." He said a small incantation to himself as small pockets of air were generated beneath his feet.

He began to glide away towards the mountains, knowing he was only a small piece of the larger puzzle that was beginning to take shape before him.

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[xxx{=====>

Artemis, Akuma, and even the parents who he himself had witnessed theire gruesome death, stood in front of kronik. They stood smiling at him, embracing him, and promising never to leave him. The sound of his mothers beautiful voice filled his ears with a song he remembered well from when he was a child. It all seemed so perfect, so calm, as if never would there ever be a lonely, painful moment again.

And then the darkness crept up, and began to swallow them up, while he could only scream silently, watching their smiling faces as they fell one by one into the shadows. And then there was nothing. He turned around slowly, and looked on in horror as a pair of glowing red eyes pierced the blackness that surrounded him, he saw the teeth of a wolf bared just below those horrible glowing orbs, and its ugly smile as scenes began to unfold around him. Artemis fell headless before him, as he watched in terror as skaith was consumed by the red-eyed monster. He heard the sound of his mothers replaced by her screams, as he spun around in the blackness, and he saw his father impaled on the edge of a cloaked mans blade.

He watched on painfully as the man turned towards his mother, who was held fast by several more men, each wearing a black hooded robe. The man readied his sword, just as kronik had seen when his parents had been slain so many years before. Once more kronik heard his mothers final cry as the man slid his sword in between her ribs, then removing it violently as blood stained the floor. Kronik fell to his knees as the man turned to him and removed his hood.

He could only scream in terror as he looked back at himself, smiling and wiping the blood neatly from the sword with a soft laugh. The tormenting laugh that seemed to haunt him.

Kronik let out another scream as he sat up quickly. The darkness was gone, and he was in an unfamiliar room. With a grimace, kronik fell back onto the bed clutching his still healing side.

"What's going on!" came a shout as the door burst open, and blaze entered, followed by the beautiful woman who had refused to help him.

"It's nothing." He said quietly, as he grimaced again in pain. He looked to blaze, then to the woman, and saw as the look of concern she was wearing as she had entered had been replaced with one of loathing.

"You are able to walk." She said coldly. "So leave this village!" She turned on her heel and stormed out. Blaze just looked on, a bemused expression on his face.

Kronik tried to stand and immediately keeled over. He landed flat on his back, irritating the scar on his side.

"You can't walk yet, the poison has ensured of that." Blaze chuckled.

"Who is she?" was all he asked.

"You don't care to know where you are, or if you will ever walk again?" asked Blaze as a smile spread across his face.

"I assume I am in your village, although I am not sure where exactly in the village I am." He replied as he too managed a slight smile. "but I can feel my strength returning, and I know that this poison will not last." His grimace returned, as he finished. "In three days I will be able to walk, and I will gather my supplies. Then I will leave."

He pulled himself back onto the bed, ignoring the pain in his side.

"Don't mind her. She just wants to protect this village from outsiders." He said, as he began to leave. "That, and we had to put you in her bed so that we may treat your wounds and you may rest." He stopped in the doorway. "You know, she never allowed the last person who needed help into her home. Feel lucky."

"It seems to me that I am not welcome."

"You aren't welcome in this house. You are here because she cannot in good heart let someone die. The only reason you are alive is because of her. If she had not offered her home for you to be healed at the last minute, I would have failed, and you would have died. I think it was necessity, and that is all."

"Don't worry, I will not be a burden to you or your village for long." And with those words, he forced himself to stand, and he slowly and painfully walked past Blaze, and looked again into the eyes of the woman.

"I thank you. I will be going now. I am sorry for the trouble I have brought. I will pay you for your efforts, if you wish."

Again, her expression betrayed her. He could see compassion in her eyes, before they again became cold with resolve. And for some reason, he knew why.

"The only payment I require is that you leave this village as soon as you are able." He saw her eyes soften again as she turned to look away from him, and she finished "But until I will hold no complaint against you. You need rest, and I cannot deny it. I…"

She stopped in mid sentence, because she realized that the assassin had already walked out the door.

[xxx{=====>

Oni - Part 5

Kronik collapsed in the dusty alley just out of sight of Tess's home. He knew he should have stayed, taken the offer and rested. But he refused to be a burden.

"I will rest here," he told himself, "where I will not be any trouble to the people of this village." As soon as he finished his sentence, he fell again into the blackness. His unconscious form had laid there for only minutes before it was scooped up and carried off to a safer place.

"You should have taken my advice, friend." Came a familiar voice as Kronik slowly opened his eyes. Blaze Alias stood over him, a look of concern across his face.

"Why do you care?" asked a groggy Kronik.

"You could have killed me, on the road when we first met." Replied Blaze. "yet you didn't. I feel as if I owe you this, at least." He smiled as he looked back on their meeting on the forest road. Could he have killed me? He thought. He knew that he wasn't as weak as he seemed, but did the man lying in front of him know that? He only chuckled, and left the man to his rest. He stopped in the doorway, and looked back at his new friend. "Three weeks at least, before you will be at full health. I want you to rest for at least one." He then proceeded to leave.

"Friend?" Kronik said aloud in the empty room. The man, blaze, most certainly seemed to be a friend. He had saved Kronik, in a sense. He just shook his head and closed his eyes, as a new wave of pain rolled over him. As sleep took him once more, a new series of questions filled his mind. As he blinked one more time before loosing consciousness, one word escaped his mouth, just as blaze returned into the room. "Tess."

[xxx{=======>

Skaith stopped in the middle of the road. He had been traveling for days, and now stood in Haltara, his home. He reached to the back of his neck, noting for the third time that day, the sharp pain he felt there, but there was something else, something pleasant about it. Kronik, my friend, what is happening to you? He looked ahead of him, to the grand structure that marked his destination. The Mage's Tower loomed before him. Quickly he made his way to the base of the magnificent building. There was no door, as only those of magical skill were allowed to enter. He place his hand on the center of the wall, and uttered a simple yet powerful phrase, as a small gap appeared in the stone. Skaith entered the building, and the opening closed as quickly as it had appeared. A man stood waiting for him, a black tunic and fiery red flowing robe marking him as Gordon De'flare, Mage of the fire element, and third ranked mage of the tower.

"Akuma Mahou, you return early." Chided the extravagant man, whose age could not be determined by his appearance, for he looked fifty years his junior, and he acted it as well. He swept over to greet his former student, but was surprised to see the familiar smirk replaced by a look of concern.

"You are not here for further training." The man stated more than asked, "What troubles you so?"

"I have much to explain, and more questions than answers. I came here for guidance."

"Wouldn't Artemis be of more use than I?" he asked with a smile. The look that skaith now wore told him more than he needed to know. "I see. Come then, we will meet with the rest of the Thirteen Arcane, and you will tell me the fate of my dear friend Artemis. Skaith nodded silently as Gordon quickly strode over to the glowing orb that sat in the center of the room. The bounce in his step completely gone, he placed his hand over the orb, as twelve shadowy figured erupted from the sphere.

"My fellows, I must request an emergency meeting."

"And what could be important enough to call for such a gathering?"

"The details are unknown to me, however," He paused, choosing his words carefully, "it has led to the death of Artemis, one who each of us owes our lives to many times over." Before he even finished his sentence, the shadowy figures were replaced by their real bodies. The Thirteen Arcane had assembled completely for the first time in over sixteen years.

[xxxx{=========>

One full week had passed since Kronik had lost consciousness. Slowly he rose; his body sore, but the poison and the wound had completely healed. Huger and weakness were all that pained him now. The door burst open, and a smiling Blaze bounded in.

"It's about time you awoke! I was about to call the mortician to remove you from the room!" he laughed, as he helped Kronik up from the spare bed. "I'm sure you are hungry!" he laughed again, as Kronik stood on his own. "Come with me, I know where we may find a good meal."

He led Kronik into the streets, chatting constantly, as Kronik silently listened, offering a nod when appropriate. They arrived at Uri's Tavern, where Kronik paused, to watch as the beautiful woman, Tess, passed by. Their eyes met, and she quickly changed her expression to a scowl as she turned and walked back in the direction she had come from.

"…So anyway, this is…" Blaze stopped suddenly, when he realized that Kronik had not entered behind him, and he popped his head out the door, just in time to see the woman turn and leave. Kronik quickly ducked as Blaze's hand, which was aimed for the back of his head, swung harmlessly by. Before the dodge even registered, blaze found the assassin at his back, his own arm he had swung with wrapped around his throat.

"Hehe," he laughed as he was released, "I see that you still have your reflexes, even if you haven't eaten in a week." With that a grumble from kronik's stomach made them both burst into laughter.

"Why did you swing at me?" Kronik asked as he followed blaze through the door.

"If I didn't, you would still be watching the spot where she was standing!" followed his laughter filled response.

They entered through a second door, and into a large room. Kronik stopped and looked at his surroundings.

Instead of the dusty, damp place he had known to have been called taverns, this place stood out as a radiant and welcome sight. Against the far back wall there was a single bar, at which three elderly gentlemen sat laughing and seeming to be having a good time. Beside them sat a surly fellow, whose size seemed more fitting to a gorilla than a human being. The two empty seats between the huge man and the solitary patron who sat at the end of the bar afforded Kronik a good look at the magnificently crafted stools atop which lavish velvet pillows crested. A fine place to sit, he thought, however he was led to the far right corner by blaze, who seemed more impressed by the wonderfully spacious sitting area where sturdy and smooth, eloquent tables adorned the center, surrounded by couches that seemed as inviting as the bar stools, if not more so.

"This is Uri's Tavern, and this," He exclaimed as he pointed to a slender woman tending to the order a smiling young man, "Is Uri, the hostess of this most beautiful of places." He beamed, as the woman made her way to the newcomers.

"Mr. Alias flattery won't get you any more free drinks," she smiled, as she passed by. With a raised eyebrow the man spun around and let loose a reply slightly louder than he had meant.

"I mean to say most beautiful bedside's yourself!" many laughed, as blaze sat down on the comfortable couch, blushing more than a little.

"Now I might be having to charge you double, Mr. alias," She laughed, as she passed by again and delivered a small cup and a bottle to the young man who she had been attending to before the two hand entered.

"It is a good pass time of mine to antagonize her at every moment," he explained to the smirking assassin who sat beside him. "But I'm sure she'll come 'round to liking me sooner or later."

"Later will be my guess," she said with a smile to rival that of Blaze's, as she set a small bottle on the table between them.

"I thought you said no free drinks?" he asked as she turned away.

"That's for your friend, and not for you." She said with a stern look. "And don't doubt that if I catch wind that you drank even a sip of that bottle, I'll be sure you won't even find a drop of water within a hundred miles of ya." As she finished she burst into laughter, joined by the men at the bar and the other patrons across the room. Despite her laugh and innocent smile, Blaze didn't doubt her claim in the least.

Time passed quickly that day, as the two spent the hours talking to each other and to the many visitors that passed through the tavern daily. As the sky began to darken, and the number of villagers in the building began to wane, Kronik took his time to survey the comfortable room once more. Simple decorations formed a unique look about the walls, many of them reflecting back the mood of enjoyment, seemingly adding to the allure of the place. The three old men had gone, now replaced by a pair of younger boys, who seemed to be the same age as Kronik. The surly man had relocated to a couch away from the hustle and bustle of the room, and the solitary man from before still sat alone, in the same seat, apparently sleeping.

"What's his story?" Kronik interrupted Blaze in the middle of a long winded joke.

"Who?" asked the now curious man.

"Him." Kronik nodded to the lone figure motionless at the bar. "He isn't sleeping. As a matter of fact, he has been following our every word intently. Who is he?"

"Nothing gets by you, does it?" sighed Blaze. When Kronik didn't respond, but kept his eyes on the sleeping man instead, Blaze continued.

"That's Ajnin, he's a regular here. He's no threat to us, don't worry. As a matter of fact, I think he may be here to see me." And before Kronik could reply he rose and began to make his way toward Ajnin. "Now be a good boy and wait here, ok?" was all he said when Kronik rose too. He watched as Blaze roused the man, and together they made their way into a private room to the side of the bar, followed shortly after by three more figures who not even Kronik had noticed were in the room.

"Don't you be worrying about him," a knowing voice stole his attention. He turned to regard Uri who was now sitting in alias's seat.

"That man may be a flirt, a fool, and annoying to boot, but he isn't the head of the guards for his looks. He can handle himself."

"Looks?" asked the assassin, as a smirk found it's way on his face.

"At last, he smiles!" She laughed. After he offered only a confused look, she continued. "You've had something on your mind since you entered my tavern, no doubt, and I'll not have anyone dampening the spirits of my customers."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring such an effect to your bar," he began, but she cut him off.

"Don't be apologizing for anything, but there's something on your mind, and it's a problem for my customers. And any problem of my customers is a problem for me.

"It's nothing I can explain to you, because it's something I don't understand myself."

"If you love her so much, then tell her so." She said forcefully, the shock of her bluntness sending Kronik back on his heels.

"How do you think I…" He began, before she cut him off again.

"If it's love that's sinking your heart, it's because you're weighing it down trying to cover it up. Let it in the open, and your heart will rise again."

"I honestly have no clue what you're talking about, but I thank you for your advice none the less."

"We'll see, but remember, let it in the open. It's the only way for that smile to see the light of day again." She stood and left without a word to Kronik, and returned to the now empty bar.

"Tess, you may be a fool for wanting him away from here and away from you, but he's a bigger fool for not knowing that he wants to be here, and to be with you." As a new patron entered her tavern, she smiled and made her way to greet her new guest, purposefully passing by the assassin, who was now lost in thought.

Oni - Part 6

Tess stared outward at the night sky from her small house, silently pulling the covers over the young orphan she had taken in. He reminder her so much of herself, and yet he was so helpeless. It did not take long for the young one to earn her affection, and so she took him into her home, almost as if he were her own son. As she softly sang a lullaby to the already sleeping child, her thoughts wandered. Her village for which she cared so much for was in potential danger. An emissary from a large clan was to visit the very next day, set to arrive as the sun rose over the mountain tops. If the clan succeeded in their proposal, the village would be overrun by thugs working for the powerful clan. The offer, as they had put it, would be beneficial to both the clan and the village, which would receive protection from the outside world. The outside world, as Tess saw it, was a far lesser threat than that of the ever greedy clansmen, who only wanted control of the village to open a trade route through the two gates that sealed the village in between the two large rock formations that prevented passage. The village was placed in that area to keep the area secluded, away from the cruelties and lies that flooded the world around them.

The clan outside was not the only threat, she knew. The young, skilled assassin that wandered the paths of her beloved village was a dangerous man. From the moment their eyes met, she saw something there, a seething hatred. His eyes were scarred with vengeance, as was his heart. That pure hatred was second, she also knew, to something more. She had seen something there, an evil that wanted nothing more than to kill everyone it came in contact with. That evil wasn't that of the man, but of something else. Something that seemed to haunt him. During the brief time the assassin had spent under her care, she had heard him cry out in his sleep. She had heard his screams, and he had revealed so much in the agonizing sounds. He was possessed by a demon, she had discovered.

She made her way to her own bedroom; she let a terrible sigh, as she continued her contemplations. Tess was not unfamiliar to the idea of a human and evil inhabiting the same form. As she thought about this, memories she would rather forget flooded back to her. As she slept, her dreams formed into memories of her father, of her best friend Erika, long since gone, and memories of her mother. Mother, she thought, I know the dangers this man brings, but how can I turn him away completely, knowing he suffers a fate similar to my own. As if it were more than just a mere dream, a voice she recognized, but had not expected broke the silence that had plagued her dreams for so long.

"That man has fallen in love with you, although he knows not yet that he has." The voice of her mother softly called, although Tess could not see more than the darkness that most often composed her dreams.

In response, Tess walked through the dark fog, for she had heard more than just her mother's voice. There sat Kronik, although he seemed far away, lost in his own contemplation. Never before had she broken the fog, much less found another in her dreams. He was distant, as if he were somewhere else.

"He is just like the other men, called by this curse you left me with." Her eyes flooded with tears. " He cares not for me. He is merely a puppet, his strings pulled by the hand of you spell."

"Of my spell? My blood runs through you, and thus your power is your own. Call it a curse if you will, but you would appreciate it more if you were to use it as it was intended, rather than cover it up."

"Im not like you!" she shouted into the fog, which had once more surrounded her. "I want to find true love… not something drawn in because of beauty that is nothing more than a trick!" She waited for an answer but none came. She broke into sobs, as the fog thickened and the darkness grew more opaque. After what felt like eternity, an answer finally broke the dreams grip.

"You are the daughter of a succubus. And in the past the love you inspired was indeed false, a trick of my kind. Of our kind. But you have seen something different in this boy, have you not? Remember the limitations of our race."

The voice trailed off, as the fog lifted, and Rachel opened her eyes, which were streaked with tears. She sat again in her bed, the most confusing of dreams at its end. "I am not like you." She repeated, to a voice she knew could not hear her.

Oni - Part 7

Kronik sat on a small outcropping of rock, hanging several feet over the village, and the small group of people he had come to name as friends. His posture and expression fitting that of tess's dream. As he looked down, he thought of many things. The day of his departure would arrive with the dawning sun. As he looked to the east, where the suns first rays had yet to crest, he vowed to himself that he would one day return to the small village, perhaps to spend the rest of his days secluded from the world, as the men and women of this town had done. He wondered, as he shifted his weight slightly because of a small, awkwardly placed pebble that was causing discomfort, about the upcoming negotiations he had heard a drunken man and Uri speaking of a few nights past while he sat in the tavern. Would the town be the same, or would it become just like all the other villages in the region, overcrowded and corrupted. The thought that anyone would allow such a place to become as corrupt as the rest of the world sickened him. His mind ran circles, as he bolstered his resolve that he must leave, if he were to find and destroy the ones responsible for the loss of everyone he had cared for. He unconsciously rubbed the back of his neck, where the burned mark placed by his lost mentor had began to prickle. Before he could completely accept that he was to leave, his heart steered his mind back to the one thing that had kept him there so long, if it wasn't the villagers, it was one villager in particular. He ran his conversation with Uri over and over through his head, as he had come to understand that for reasons beyond his comprehension, he cared for her.

He blinked as the suns first rays peaked over the cliff and cast light onto the quiet town. Soon it would be bustling with life, as the people went on with their daily routines. He smiled, as he watched a young boy he had never seen before wander through a darkened alleyway behind some closed shops. He watched the boys movements curiously for a few moments, before turning his attention to the arrival of the clan emissary as the small procession of a one person carriage and two mounted riders slowly passed the heavy wooden gate.

If he had continued to watch before he turned down the path leading back to the inner gate, he would have seen as the little boy put several apples into his pocket while the shopkeeper was busy opening his doors, or he might have seen the emblem on the flag the rear horseman carried matched the symbol carved onto the bodies of both his parents and the beheaded body of his mentor

Oni - Part 8

Kronik made his way back onto the outskirts of the village, where winding trails and forked paths marked the travel between the inner village and the outer gate. He had taken his time, and the procession had long since passed. He was still lost in thought, and was not even on his guard, which he had allowed himself to drop in the peaceful village. He did not hear the shouting merchant in the distance until the small boy he had seen earlier collided with him, and six large apples rolled loose onto the grassy path as the boy toppled over. Kronik stooped to help the child stand, as the angry owner of the shop approached, breathless. It only took a brief second for the skilled fighter to understand what had happened. Kronik reached out and aided to boy to his feet, but held him fast to where he stood, whispering as he did. "don't move, don't speak."

"Is there a problem sir?" kronik asked, with an air of ignorance.

"Yer durned straight there's a problem! Tha' little theif ran off with my merchandise!" He moved to take the boys arm, drawing a blunt stick carved to appear similar to a wooden sword, from his belt. He stopped in mid step, however, because somehow, the assassin was now standing directly where the merchant could not possibly strike the boy without also hitting the grinning man in front of him.

"There must have been a mistake; you see I gave this boy enough money to buy six apples, with the promise of fifteen gold coins if he did not merely run off with my money. He must have forgotten to pay in his excitement. You'll find he has the exact amount in a small red bag in his left pocket." He turned to grin at the boy, who stared incredulously at the man who was weaving a lie for someone he had never met, and a good one at that! "isn't that right?" he asked, as he stepped back , putting the boy again in between himself and the confused merchant.

The boy stared at the assassin for a moment before turning to the merchant, who was equally confused. "Go ahead, pay the man," Coaxed the still grinning assassin. "red bag, left pocket." The boy reached into his tattered left pocket, and to his surprise, in his pocket there was indeed a small red pouch, containing the exact price of six apples. He blinked a few moments before handing the silver pieces to the salesman. Kronik produced fifteen gold coins and placed them into the red pouch, and pointedly handed them to the boy, whispering to him to go home. The child stared for a few more moments, before apologizing to the merchant and running down a path opposite the direction of the man's shop. The salesman grunted, obviously suspicious of what had just transpired, but content at being paid just the same. He turned to leave, muttering something about people should shop for themselves, but kronik ignored him and turned to walk down a path that would take the longest to return to the village square.

Shortly after the merchant was out of sight, kronik paused for a moment under a tree, and smiled. He held out his hand, where the small red pouch fell from one low but fairly disguised branch into his hand, followed by the little boy who landed on his feet beside the now grinning kronik.

"why did you help me?" The boy asked, again staring curiously at the man. "I don't know you, and I cant pay you for your help, so why did you help me?" He waited for a reply, as the man made his way to sit in the shade against the tree. He grinned, and motioned for the boy to join him. He obliged, and repeated his question, this time not in a demanding tone, but one of curiosity.

"I've been poor, alone, and hungry. I remember when I was young I too had to steal food on occasion." He paused, as he remembered his first encounter with artemis. "once, I met someone who did the same for me as I had just done for you."

"where did that bag come from? I had no money when I ran into you!" the boy asked eagerly, interested in how different this man seemed.

"I slipped it into your pocket when I helped you up." Kronik grinned. Indeed, in the time it had taken to help the boy to his feet, he had counted the apples on the ground, placed the exact amount into the bag, and slipped it into the boys pocket in a single motion.

"Ari." Stated the little boy, who had stood up and presented his hand to be shaken. I've seen you around here, but I don't know who you are or why you're here.

"I am a friend, that Is all I can say." He too stood, however instead of shaking the boys hand, he placed the red bag into the boys hand, the coins jingling with the bag's movement. He turned to continue on his way, but was surprised when the boy tugged on his sleeve.

"Please, I don't talk to many people outside the walls." He looked down the road, then all around at the many winding paths. "and I kind of got lost when I was running from the fat guy. Could you at least take me back to the village? That way I can listen to your stories, for as long as it takes to get there, then we never see each other again, ok?" His eyes seemed to be pleading with kronik to walk with the boy, at least to town.

"Ok then. Ill take you to the town, but I don't know of many stories worth telling."

Ari beamed, surprised again that the man had agreed.

"Keep the gold. Perhaps you can get some food, or stay at the inn for a short time."

"why would I do that?"

"You don't want to sleep on the streets hungry, would you?"

"oh, Im not homeless. Not anymore."

"anymore? Where are your parents?"

"gone. Im an orphan. At least I was." Ari looked up at the man astounded that he was so interested in the fate of a boy he didn't know. "I was sort of adopted."

"Does he know what your up to?"

"Not he," Ari corrected, "She. A woman took me in. she cared for me, even though no one did after my parents died." He smiled at the thought of the woman who had saved him. "our small home caught fire, and she saved me. My parents died in that fire. When she found that no one had taken me in, she did." His expression turned solemn. She said she lost everything in a fire once, but she wont tell me about it."

"Perhaps the memories were too painful?" kronik offered, honestly interested in the boy's story. He found it difficult to think of someone as kind as the boy was describing.

"maybe, but after she told me she didn't want to talk about it, I didn't ask again. She is really pretty," the boy suddenly pointed out with a sly grin, "you might like her. A lot of men do. But she doesn't like them. She says they are always fooling themselves, and they should find someone they truly love." Kronik thought for a moment on what the boy had said, and for reasons he didn't understand, he thought of tess again.

"Perhaps she is right." He said at last. "I cannot say, because love is not something I have never known." After a brief silence, kronik and the boy spoke until they had made it to the town. They continued to converse until they had reached a doorstep kronik thought seemed familiar. Ari had barely stepped onto the top step when the door flew open and A beautiful woman rushed outside.

"Ari!" shouted the woman, as she hugged the boy. "I told you to tell me when you go outside!"

"Im sorry," he said, as he pulled away. "you were right. I got into trouble, but this man helped me, and then helped me get home when I realized I was lost." He turned and pointed , as the woman stood, finally noticing the boy had brought someone else with him. She stared at the man before her, who, like her, was in shock. For the second time, kronik and tess looked into each other's eyes.

"I had better be going," kronik said, turning to walk away, and to hid the burst of emotion he could not explain.

Tess struggled with her own emotions for a moment, before taking a step forward and asking, "would…" She found the words stuck in her throat, as the man started to walk away. "Would you like to come inside? I made tea." She felt like slapping herself, until the assassin stopped walking, and after a moment turned to face her. Before he registered the movement, he had nodded and taken three steps toward her. His breath seemed so very odd to him, as he crossed the threshold of the door into her home. Tess could barely contain the argument between her heart and her head, as she sat in a chair, and offered that he should do the same. She swallowed her uncertainty, and spoke slowly.

"I don't think I've been fair to you. Please, tell me who you are, and allow me reconsider my judgment of you." They both smiled, and kronik slowly began to talk. As the conversation progressed, they seemed to lose control of their own mouths, telling each other parts of their past that they had not shared with anyone before. For some reason both kronik and tess seemed to have an inexplicable trust in the other. After an hour had passed, kronik announced that he had to prepare to leave. Tess rose to open the door for the man, wanting both to hate the man, and to continue their conversation. As he was leaving, she found herself asking him to stay for three more days, untill the end of the festival that would begin that very night. Before turning to walk away, kronik heard himself agree to stay, for exactly three more days