After completing its revenge, the monster fled to the Shadowlands, where it lived to this day.
As a youth, Tadaka had vowed to seek out the demon and redeem his ancestor's name. Many times he had ventured into 1 lie Shadowlands to find the monster. He saw the demon rarely, and then only fleetingly. Once he nearly defeated it, but it escaped. Another time, he was lucky to escape with his life. Mostly, his quests ended in bitter disappointment.
Perhaps I shall find it this time, he thought. He pushed the idea aside. Oni no Akuma was not his mission, not this time.
Already the oppressive atmosphere of the Shadowlands closed in around him. The gray mist clung to his kimono, pressing the red and black silk against his skin. The stale air invaded his nose and mouth, trying to creep into his lungs. Tadaka pulled his hood up tighter around his face, so that only his eyes showed, and said a silent prayer.
He kept walking, listening to the earth as best he could, trying to find the path to Junzo's lair. He felt the powerful darkness of Fu Leng, far to the south and west. The earth screamed in fear at the violation of the Evil One's presence. That sound, echoing in Tadaka's mind, nearly drowned out all else. The Pit of Fu Leng, birthplace of plague and demons, festered beyond the tomb, adding to the obscene cacophony. Tadaka heard oni scrabbling across the soil like black spiders running through his skull.
The Master of Earth found it nearly impossible to ignore the cries of the violated earth. He chanted a sutra to the Seven Fortunes and calmed his mind. These monsters, no matter how vile, were not the evils he sought today.
Yogo lunzo's traces weren't as apparent as those of the sorcerer's undead master. Tadaka made his mind very quiet and listened intently. Finally, he heard it—like a twisted accompa-niement to a funeral song. He followed Junzo's whispers in the tainted earth, and walked northwest, ever deeper into the Shadowlands.
Tadaka soon grew tired. He wondered if it were dark now in Kyuden Isawa. The sun had been setting when he met the Hooded Ronin at the edge of the blasted plain. The Master of Earth cursed himself for not waiting the night in the foothills. Another good sleep before challenging Fu Leng's realm would have served him—and his clan—better. The weariness of this land was unnatural, and the earth did not renew his strength quickly or easily. He had been rash to enter the Shadowlands as he did. This blighted country would not forgive many such mistakes.
Out of the waste, a huge bolder jutted like a broken tooth. Tadaka found shelter on the rocky mound beneath it and gathered some stunted grasses and twigs to make a small fire. Fire would drive the mist away, at least momentarily. His spell kindled the sticks, and soon a bright yellow blaze burned.
Tadaka drew forth a jade vial of water from inside his kimono. He put it to his lips and drank, savoring the sweet purity. Some dried seaweed completed his meal. With his eyes still open, he drifted into meditation.
Refreshed, he stood up. The top of his wide hat brushed against the overhanging rock. He concentrated, seeking his path once more. When he felt certain of the direction, he walked to the edge of the surrounding stone. He poised his foot above the tainted soil, steeling himself to brave the dark country again.
"Don't step in that!" a voice cried out. The sound was high and thin and had a musical quality.
Tadaka spun but saw no one. Turning back, he lowered his foot toward the blasted soil.
"Stop! Don't you know that's dangerous? That's the edge of a hidden mire!"
Tadaka still saw no one. With his toe he kicked a small stone from the rocky mound onto the dirt. It landed softly and sank quickly without a sound.
Behind his hood, Tadaka smiled. "Many thanks, my friend, whoever you are."
"You have to be more careful, or you'll get yourself killed out here," the voice said. "This is no place for novices to be wander-ing."
Tadaka laughed. "I'm
As a youth, Tadaka had vowed to seek out the demon and redeem his ancestor's name. Many times he had ventured into 1 lie Shadowlands to find the monster. He saw the demon rarely, and then only fleetingly. Once he nearly defeated it, but it escaped. Another time, he was lucky to escape with his life. Mostly, his quests ended in bitter disappointment.
Perhaps I shall find it this time, he thought. He pushed the idea aside. Oni no Akuma was not his mission, not this time.
Already the oppressive atmosphere of the Shadowlands closed in around him. The gray mist clung to his kimono, pressing the red and black silk against his skin. The stale air invaded his nose and mouth, trying to creep into his lungs. Tadaka pulled his hood up tighter around his face, so that only his eyes showed, and said a silent prayer.
He kept walking, listening to the earth as best he could, trying to find the path to Junzo's lair. He felt the powerful darkness of Fu Leng, far to the south and west. The earth screamed in fear at the violation of the Evil One's presence. That sound, echoing in Tadaka's mind, nearly drowned out all else. The Pit of Fu Leng, birthplace of plague and demons, festered beyond the tomb, adding to the obscene cacophony. Tadaka heard oni scrabbling across the soil like black spiders running through his skull.
The Master of Earth found it nearly impossible to ignore the cries of the violated earth. He chanted a sutra to the Seven Fortunes and calmed his mind. These monsters, no matter how vile, were not the evils he sought today.
Yogo lunzo's traces weren't as apparent as those of the sorcerer's undead master. Tadaka made his mind very quiet and listened intently. Finally, he heard it—like a twisted accompa-niement to a funeral song. He followed Junzo's whispers in the tainted earth, and walked northwest, ever deeper into the Shadowlands.
Tadaka soon grew tired. He wondered if it were dark now in Kyuden Isawa. The sun had been setting when he met the Hooded Ronin at the edge of the blasted plain. The Master of Earth cursed himself for not waiting the night in the foothills. Another good sleep before challenging Fu Leng's realm would have served him—and his clan—better. The weariness of this land was unnatural, and the earth did not renew his strength quickly or easily. He had been rash to enter the Shadowlands as he did. This blighted country would not forgive many such mistakes.
Out of the waste, a huge bolder jutted like a broken tooth. Tadaka found shelter on the rocky mound beneath it and gathered some stunted grasses and twigs to make a small fire. Fire would drive the mist away, at least momentarily. His spell kindled the sticks, and soon a bright yellow blaze burned.
Tadaka drew forth a jade vial of water from inside his kimono. He put it to his lips and drank, savoring the sweet purity. Some dried seaweed completed his meal. With his eyes still open, he drifted into meditation.
Refreshed, he stood up. The top of his wide hat brushed against the overhanging rock. He concentrated, seeking his path once more. When he felt certain of the direction, he walked to the edge of the surrounding stone. He poised his foot above the tainted soil, steeling himself to brave the dark country again.
"Don't step in that!" a voice cried out. The sound was high and thin and had a musical quality.
Tadaka spun but saw no one. Turning back, he lowered his foot toward the blasted soil.
"Stop! Don't you know that's dangerous? That's the edge of a hidden mire!"
Tadaka still saw no one. With his toe he kicked a small stone from the rocky mound onto the dirt. It landed softly and sank quickly without a sound.
Behind his hood, Tadaka smiled. "Many thanks, my friend, whoever you are."
"You have to be more careful, or you'll get yourself killed out here," the voice said. "This is no place for novices to be wander-ing."
Tadaka laughed. "I'm
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