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
"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.
"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
[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
[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
"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.