The propellers were rotating close to full speed. The chopper started to leave ground, when from a wide street Metsuhai came into sight. He was covered with demon blood from head to toe. Holding his heavy backpacks in one hand and the drawn demon blood covered sword in the other. He had a warriors look on his face. It was unmistakable. He meant business. "Look, another one came back," excitedly called out one of the soldiers inside. The chopper landed, and Metsuhai got in. The chopper was filled with the same fighters from before, but this time third of the seats were empty. Most of the lucky soldiers who survived had bandaged hands or legs, sometimes both. Metsuhai silently sank into his chair. "Red sky! You did it kid," stated the one eyed commander out laud. Metsuhai didn't answer. He just sat on his chair, looking down.
…
Metsuhai entered the barracks shower, still wearing his armor and carrying his sword in his hand (the shield was on his back). The water was gently pouring on him. Like hot rain everywhere with a small waterfall in the middle. The air around him was soon filled with vapor. Metsuhai took off the shield, placing it near the corner of the square isolated room. He slowly removed his armor. The warmth was relaxing as it washed away the remnants of demon blood. But inside Metsuhai, there was a raging storm. The blood wouldn't disappear. Metsuhai didn't know it yet, but demon blood was always the last part of the monsters to fade. Sometimes it stayed, especially if it touched a living creature. Sometimes it never faded, being a bad sign that the barrier is so weak. That the realms were not so far apart any more. Earth was gradually becoming another layer of Inferno. Metsuhai closed his eyes, trying to clear his mind but in vain. As soon as he closed his eyes he had seen it- torn corpses, blood, demons and fire, the cry of the possessed child. It was real. The demon must have allowed the girl to cry for his satisfaction. But the worst of it was- Fuck the humanity, I don't care! Echoed the words he said, again and again in his mind.
Metsuhai entered his room quietly, wearing only short pants and carrying his armor and gear. Everyone in the room was already asleep. Surprisingly Nao was not snoring. Metsuhai slipped under his blanket. He lay on his bed with open eyes. He was just lying there without moving- hours into the night. It took him ages to fall asleep.
But here his suffering did not end. He turned from side to side saying "no! No more!"
The crusher was looking right into his eyes. "You almost caused humanitys demise once" said the invisible.
The little girl was crying. Her tears turned into blood. "We have little children to feed" said the ratman". "If you beat me in a duel I'll…grunt you one wish" said smiling Phaulin again and again and again. The Phaulin nightmare by far was the worst.
Phaulin was bending above him and he was naked, exposing his red body "wake up man" said Phaulin with human voice. Metsuhai opened his eyes and recognized Masaru bending above him (not naked).
"It's five forty. Lezner will be here soon. You can skip training today because you just came back from the battlefield, but knowing you, you'll want to train anyway."
"Thank you," said Metsuhai, quickly organizing. The merciful thing would be to just let me sleep.
On the way to the weapon training classroom, Metsuhais battlephone vibrated shortly. Metsuhai checked the message- it was from Ando. 'The committee and myself looked through the recording. We were all deeply impressed. You have exceeded our expectation. On a personal note, we need more men like you in the order. Your pay: crusher- 250. Snakes- 80. Ratmen- 160. Firestarter- 180. Invisible (a rare specimen)- 260. Altogether 930 dollars. Keep up the good work.'
Not half bad. If I keep this up, I might just survive. However Metsuhai had no intention of going on another mission today. He had to rest, physically and mentally.
Of course Lezners rough training couldn't possibly be considered rest. Metsuhai already stood with his face to Kuma and his sword drawn. He already got used to fight warhammers. Kuma was as fat as he ever was. The reasonable assumption would be for him to be slow. It was not the case. His incredible weight only slowed him down a bit. He was used to fight like this. Metsuhai wasn't in full strength either. He was sleepy. The rest of the trainees also paired up, preparing to spur. Lezner did inform the previous day, they'll be sparring right away. Lezner let out a big stream of smoke, "Before we begin another torture session, I have an announcement to make. So you better pay attention." Everyones stares turned to the sensei. "We have a new champion…" Silence befell the class. "…The first man from our class to ever go to the front lines, with very little training and furthermore, emerged victorious. This honorable man among men is Metsuhai Fugughuu. Our new senpai." No one said a word. "Where are the applause?" barked Lezner. Strong applause followed from all directions. Kuma looked at Metsuhai with admiration. Takeo looked with envy. There was one person clearly dissatisfied- Koi, whose senpainess was stripped away. He forced himself to clap, but his applause were hollow.
Metsuhai stood his ground against Kuma. Their friendly sparring session went well, considering how tired Metsuhai was. It wasn't easy for Metsuhai to concentrate in the beginning but he pushed through, reaching 99% of his ability. Later when they practiced blows in the air he was feeling tired no more. He was awakened.
"Ten minute break!" barked Lezner when the ring of the gong came to a finish, "Then we work on martial arts again."
Lezner disappeared through the door. Kuma was still delivering deadly blows to the air. Metsuhai headed to the benches, figuring out it's a good idea to get some rest. This was Kois moment. He blocked Metsuhais way.
"Duel me- now!" he demanded. Metsuhais memory of the last time he heard something similar was not a pleasant one. Metsuhai was left without words. "Are you afraid Metsuhai? I would be, if I was fighting myself."
"Why do you want us to fight? With the way you said it, you can't possibly mean a simple practice match."
Kois face took his usual sweet sided smile.
"I'm gonna show you, and everyone else here Lezner has made a mistake," Koi said with loud voice, so everyone heard, "I should have been the one going to war first. It's me who deserves to be called the senpai. I can do anything you do better! If you have a shred of honor, you'll agree to face me, blade against blade."
Metsuhai wanted to fence with Koi for a while now, never getting the chance before. But he didn't want this. "I guess it can't be helped," said Metsuhai, drawing his sword, "What are the rules?"
"There are no rules," Koi stated, almost whispering. Koi drew his one- handed Katana. He gestured Metsuhai with his index finger, provoking him to attack. Metsuhai charged to battle. He used a feint to Kois right arm, really aiming for his legs. Koi blocked gracefully, with no effort. Metsuhai accelerated his assault, trying to break through Kois solid defense. Koi easily stopped everything with his silent unchanged expression, moving gracefully. His heir sliding through the air. The swords collided with metallic sound. Metsuhai was using fast sharp stabs that were all deflected. He switched to a heavy cut but Kois block was hard and pushed him back. Metsuhai charged forward too much, missing. He lost his balance, bending forward hard.
"You bent forward losing your balance," said Koi with his soft voice "beginners' mistake." Kois sword slashing through the air went inches from the bandage covering the mark of the ritual duel. Koi smirked slightly to the sight of Metsuhais fear. Metsuhai pulled himself together, taking battle stance.
Metsuhai tried to slice and was close. Koi barely blocked in time.
"A bit too ambitious," said Koi, "you rammed right into my sword". All the trainees were watching, holding their breath. Most of them stood in a wide circle around the two combatants. Masaru who stood near Kuma, whose fists were clenched hard and shaking, commented on the fight "Koi is attacking him psychologically to get him out of balance. Thus eroding his technique. In addition, fencing should be done with cold head." Metsuhai stood in place, sweating and breathing hard. I don't understand. He is not faster or stronger than me. Why do I keep losing? "We played enough," Koi whispered. Koi went to the offensive, pushing Metsuhai back. Kois assault was overwhelming. His sword came for Metsuhai from a different direction every time. Metsuhai was desperately trying to block the attacks. He blocked many, but not all of them. Koi put a deep cut on Metsuhais arm in spite of the strong armor. If not for the chainmail I would lose my hand! Koi means business. He is trying to kill me! Koi opened a third cut on Metsuhai who just couldn't keep up. Koi jumped back, rotating through the air. "This is so fun, seeing you squirm. What are you going to do?"
Metsuhai was breathing hard, can't really answer Koi verbally. Metsuhai gradually regained his breath. "I'm not done yet!"
Metsuhai powered up, white energy engulfing his body. When powered up like this, his physical abilities far exceeded Koi. He was now stronger and faster, more durable. Metsuhai charged at koi at incredible speed. Koi dodged by sheer luck. Metsuhai barely stopped himself, three meters behind koi. Metsuhai tried again and missed, but only by a thread. "You still don't control your power," mentioned Koi, "but this form is dangerous even for me…" Kois voice slowly transformed into a scream "…but do you think a refined warrior like me can't do the same thing!" Koi roared as orange energy engulfed him. On no, his energy is far exceeding mine. I can feel it. Koi attacked. Both warriors moved so fast they could hardly be seem, and Koi was moving faster. He put cuts on Metsuhais body, one after another. Overwhelmed, Metsuhai collapsed to one knee. Koi disarmed him, pointing his sword right at Metsuhais throat. "Goodbye Fugughuu."
Kuma pushed koi away. "If you want to kill him, you have to go through me". Kuma stood between koi and Metsuhai, spreading his arms to the sides.
"You asked for that, you balloon" stated Koi as if there was nothing to it. Lezner closed the class door behind him with a slam. Silence befell on the class. Before anyone knew it, Lezner gave Koi a devastating fist to the face. Koi collapsed back, hitting the ground hard. He is actually faster than Koi in his current state.
Kuma was next. Crushing into the wall, cracking it. Finally Lezner smashed Metsuhai with a devastating uppercut. Metsuhai lay on the ground, barely understanding what's going on around him. He is very angry this time.
"I am not training you to kill each other," Lezner shouted, "If my students behave like that, they will all be dead before they ever get to go on the battlefield. You should be comrades, brothers- who work together. And if you have disputes, you settle them by killing more demons than your rival."
…
Metsuhai was scrubbing the restroom floor with a mop in his hands. Lezners words still echoing in his mind "you'll learn to work together as a team, the hard way. In the days to come your lives will depend on one another. There will be no forgiveness, No mercy. You will endure great humiliation". Metsuhai was at work. The smell was strong. Unclean water covered the floor. Not far from Metsuhai was Koi, he too was on the job. He was picking up cigarette butts of the wet floor with his glove- covered hands. He was furious, barely able to contain himself. Kuma was cleaning the toilet seats at the side of the room. An empty bucket laid on the floor near him. Earlier Kuma filled this bucket with soap wash and poured it on the stinking lavatory seats. It wasn't his first time, receiving punishment. But this time Lezner really outdid himself. This was the dirtiest toilet room imaginable. Some abandoned public restroom no one cleaned in months. Metsuhai wanted to say something to Koi… to try to reason with him and find understanding, but he couldn't quiet find the words. Looking at him Metsuhai noticed his mean looking gaze and his bulging vain on the side of the forehead. Metsuhai decided to keep his words to himself. Right now Koi was hating him even more than ever. For him this was really a humiliation. Lezner really found the meanest toilet ever. I can't believe Koi actually tried to kill me… "Thank you," whispered Metsuhai to Kuma when they walked by. "This is not my first time," whispered Kuma, "The order tolerates nothing. Anyone steering trouble is enduring horrible things. I am unfortunately continuing to steer trouble and felt the worst of it. Don't mention it. I'm sure you would have done the same for me."
Despite his disappointing day Metsuhais training wasn't over. Metsuhai wanted to become stronger. Metsuhai was standing on the wooden platform at the docks. Behind his back stood the mighty walls of the fort-city. In front of him were calm waters beneath the wooden posts, holding the plank made floor. To both horizons were more platforms, boats of various sizes. From small fishing vessels, to massive trade ships the size of the titanic. Strong men and massive cranes where loading and unloading the crates and barrels. Two thugs were carrying barrels filled with fish. The small waves, the wave sounds. If not for the working men, it would be like heavens. Very relaxing for Metsuhais tired mind. He had been through a lot. He tried to reflect on his fight with Koi but he couldn't. Whenever he tried to think of the honor duel, his thoughts always wandered to the invisible demon and how he was taking him apart, in spite of huge power difference. Eventually he considered what happened with the invisible guy far more important. I will have to fight invisible opponents again before it's all over. Some opponents may be able to mess with my senses as well. I have to be ready. The best would be to use the ability from before.
Metsuhai concentrated, filling pressure in his eyes. Sorcery energy surged within him, making his eyes glow. The world around him became lit and bursting with color. Sharp color. As if he was sent into graphic design program or computer made reality. He also saw with perfect clarity all the dock at once, and even the walls far behind his back. His sight had more freedom now, like it could travel far, across new dimensions. The working men had transparent auras around them, with various colors. Generally the pleasant colors followed the men, although sometimes small portions of energy detached from them. Metsuhai concentrated even more. The light was blinding and overwhelming, as if he was staring into a white sun. Like a vampire exposed to daylight. Metsuhai returned his sight to normal, in what felt like the last moment before his eyes burned.
Metsuhai rubbed his hurting watery eyes. I'll have to work on this ability some more. Hopefully it doesn't cause permanent damage. Well, at least I will be able to use it in an emergency.
It was a bit earlier than usual when Metsuhai returned to the barracks, early evening nevertheless. Now Metsuhais tired mind turned all of the sudden to his honor duel with Koi. The fighting moves repeating in his mind again and again. Him loosing balance, Kois sword almost cutting through his bandage. Koi deflecting all his blows. How did I lose? He didn't have that much more power, and I exceeded him in speed. Though he trained more years, I had more battle experience. How did I lose?... Metsuhai sank deeper into thinking. He moved forward surrounded by complete silence, hearing only himself walking and breathing. It was his technique- his ability to fence. Still thinking he walked into his room. John was cleaning his as it is shiny blade. Takeo was sitting on his bed, with closed eyes and earphones, listening to music. He was moving his head back and forth. The music was so loud that everyone heard it despite the earphones. He looked as if he just took a dose of drugs. Nao was shirtless, looking at his evolved muscles with a small mirror. But Masaru was the most amazing. His two blades sheaved on his belt. Masaru was holding a paintbrush in his right hand and a color plate was placed on the desk near him. On the wooden professional easel, glued to a fine looking underframe was an amazing painting on canvas. A proud swan peacefully swimming in a small pond, surrounded by grass and trees. It was beautiful. Masaru was melancholically looking at his art. Metsuhai noted to himself of the similarity in style between the swan and the artist. Masaru was gently moving his small paintbrush, touching the canvas, though the painting looked pretty much complete. Metsuhai approached Masaru. Of course Masaru already knew and he spoke first. "Different warriors have different was philosophies. Mine is- a warrior is more than a murderer, assassin, a tool or a fighting machine. He is first and above all a human. Thus he has to be taught art, tradition, wisdom, values. What do you think?" Metsuhai was left speechless. "Do you have understanding in art? What do you think about the painting? I still think something is missing?"
"I am not experienced with art, but I recognize it when I see it. Your painting is good."
"Then I am on my own…" Masaru sighed and diverted his attention back to his masterpiece. A brilliant idea struck Metsuhai.
"Masaru, you are the best fencer I know. Teach me how to fence."
"Lezner is teaching fencing to everyone, I have no doubt in his teaching abilities."
"I have to improve my fencing fast."
"Why, do you want to defeat Koi so much?"
"No, I have no grudge to mister proud. I was just thinking, what is going to happen next time. What if I meet a demon just as skilled. Lezner will not be there for me to get me out of this."
Masaru looked impressed. "Fine, but you should know Koi is stronger and faster than me. We start training tomorrow. Today I still need to finish the painting… You are a warrior. Try art too sometime."
…
At the side of the docks, on a large old rusty boat, stood Metsuhai and Masaru. Metsuhai had his chainmail on. Masaru wore his fancy clothes that by Metsuhais presumption provided very little protection. The boat was huge and ancient. Not a single man except the two. On the bottom of the huge wreck grew green algae. The original color of the boat came off ages ago. The hull had deep cracks in it, in the area above water level. It was a beautiful sight… many years ago. In short, the boat looked as if it's gonna sink any moment. It was going a bit up and down with the waves. The deck was just as neglected as the rest of the boat, with cracked and broken floor in many places. Masaru and Metsuhai bowed to each other like in mortal combat. "Why aren't we using one of the training rooms near the barracks?" wondered Metsuhai aloud. "Not everyone has to know. Furthermore, I wanted to give you a feeling of a real combat. The wind, the setting sun. Your real war will not be in a training room. Also, this is good for your balance."
"You are not wearing armor. It was the same in fencing lesson. Why?"
"I will tell you later, maybe. Now on guard!" Masaru drew his saber. Metsuhai drew his sword and took a battle stance. He came to like the samurai musketeer by the second.
Masaru charged. He was much faster than in class. As the swords clash, the agile Masaru who seemed to have no difficulty talking while he fights, began explaining "there are two main types of fencing practiced widely within the order. There is the European style. Hitting with your sword, relying on its weight…" Masaru changed his fighting stance a bit and went on the offensive once more. Metsuhai could feel every blow on his sword, threatening to disarm him. Masarus words reminded him Marko Daichis teaching at the time he first picked up a sword. Metsuhai couldn't read Masarus moves efficiently despite already encountering Europian style. "…This style developed during the middle ages for hundreds of years. It is very reliable and common. European swords are usually as heavy as yours… Then there is kendo- samurai fencing…" Masaru changed his fighting style again. Now his moves resembled those of Koi. He skillfully pushed Metsuhai to the edge of the huge boat. "…This method uses light and sharp swords, relying on actually cutting the opponent with smaller moves of the long blade. There are other styles, some very exotic." Now the training fight resembled less to training, and more to the fight with Koi. Sparks flew out of the repeatedly colliding blades. "Last but not least, practiced by my family and few others, there is Taichi fencing. It's very difficult to learn and use…" Masarus moves now were more round and fluid. It was even harder to read. Masaru managed to trick Metsuhai using deception to take Metsuhai out of balance. He pointed his saber inches away from Metsuhais throat. "…It's mainly about closing and opening distance with the opponent and using his own power against him. You go into range and strike and then before he knows it you are out of range again."
The blades collided, both fighters trying to push each other back. "Concentrate Metsuhai. And relax your shoulders. You need to keep your posture and stand straight, so you will not lose your balance. It almost cost you your life against Koi."
Masaru was on the assault again. "Proper footwork! It will make you faster." Metsuhai blocked a low blow and got hit with a fist on the face. "Never underestimate the power of fists and kicks in a sword fight."
The two men continued like this for an hour and a half. Masaru had a lot of criticism and remarks but he was kind and never raised his voice. This was an encouraging lesson. At the end of the long session the two men stood not so far from each other, leaning on the edges of the boat, still holding their swords, sweating and breathing hard. After regaining his breath Masaru ordered "You should know. I was born long ago. While growing up I learned fencing from my father in a time people where already using guns, but still using swords. Because armor could protect us no more. Death could strike at any moment without warning. We switched to wear noblemen's fanciest and most expensive attire to show how high our status is. I was stabbed in war and the wound contaminated. Desperate, my father asked a sorcerer for help. The old man stated that at this point in time there was no cure, but it shall exist in the future. Thus it was decided. The sorcerer froze me in time and placed me in an isolated cave. My father planned to release me when the time will come, but he didn't understand the scale involved. So for hundreds of years I was in hell. It was so cold and I couldn't sleep. No one came to my aid, no one was even aware of my existence. I was found by coincidence by orders patrol. I have never seen my father ever again. So you see, I have my tradition. And even if one day it might cost me my life, this for ever became part of me… It is enough for today, go to the barracks, I'll watch the sunset. Rest. and think of what you learned here."
Metsuhai made his way through the docks, going back to the barracks. Masaru really has a lot to give, just like Lezner. Though he is much more subtle. One day he will be a great sensei for the order.