AWAKEN

Bloodshot eyes opened to a clear blue sky. Soft green glass laid underneath your bare body that was expose to the bright yellow sun.

You were....breathing.

You pushed yourself up enough to sit as you looked around the field you were in. How could this be? Where were you? How were you even here? How much time has passed since.....

Since.....

Since what?

Who were you?

What were you?

???: あなたは大丈夫?

You groaned as you looked over to the source of the unknown voice. Standing ontop of a dirt path that surrounded the field stood a man. He wore his robes with a straw hat on his head. In one hand was a wooden stick. On his back was a basket filled with various foods.

You did not understand this man's language. You didn't not even know how you knew this was a man. A human.

???: あなたは助けを必要としているようです. 来て.

He walked down the path and helped you to your feet. The man pulled out a blanket and threw it around your body to cover you. He then began to lead you back towards the path.

He continued to speak to you, but you still did not understand what he was saying. His language was completely foreign to you. And just when you think you caught a word, it would immediately become scrambled in your mind.

But you could not misinterpret his kindness.

A kindness that would go to end a horrible war.

Frontier:
DEMON DAYS
デーモンデイズ

Act 1:
Fisk

In the days to come, the man and his wife took care of you. They feed you, nursed you back to full health. Though, you were unsure if you were ever unwell. Regardless, you were grateful for their kindness and help.

So, you offered your aid in return. You were unsure of who you were, what it was you were here to do. But you did know that you could help.

Everyday you would go with the man and assist him in his farming. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and before you knew it, 10 years had passed. You were taller, broader, stronger.

And you finally learned their language. And their names.

Claremont: You have blessed us with yet another delicious meal, my love.

Fleisher: Of course. But I have to give my thanks to the two of you. This meal could not be possible without the harvest.

You nodded to show your appreciation before the three of you prayed. As you ate, you found yourself at peace. Eating with others was something you never took for granted.

It was the next day when you were meditating next to the nearby pond. You learned this technique from Lady Fleisher to clear the mind. On good days you could make out a faint vision. On bad days, you just became restless.

But it was rare that you ever became frustrated.

Claremont: Y/N.

Your eyes opened at your given name. You looked over your shoulder to see the master of the house standing there.

Claremont: Come. I wish to show you something.

He lead you back to the home where you followed him towards the back. There, he reached the bookshelf that you were familiar with. He signaled for your help to push it to the side. However, when you did, you were at awe to find yet another room.

There, you found a series of weapons lining the walls. Then, your eyes fell upon the black armor that sat against the back wall.

Claremont: This was once mine. I wore it during our conflict against the Yokai.

You watched as he approached the armor. He placed a hand on the chest plate and took a deep breath. He then looked over towards the weapons.

Claremont: These are made with special metal. One that the Yokai themselves created. It can cut through anything. Very few weapons were made with it.

He walked towards two swords and pulled them off the wall. He then turned to you and held them out.

Claremont: I wish for you to have them.

You were bewildered. These such rare weapons, and he was giving them to you? For what reason?

You shook your head but Claremont did not pull the blades away.

Claremont: I am getting far to old. You must protect this home now. You must fight when I can not.

Then, he did something that made your stomach turn.

He dropped to his knees.

He lowered his head as he held the swords towards you.

Claremont: I ask you to take them. Forgive my selfish request, but these weapons, this armor, it is a curse I can no longer bare. My body grows weaker every day and my mind is becoming dull. I beg of you. Protect this home.

You looked down at him, then at the swords. Claremont opened his eyes when he felt the weight leave his hands. He looked up to see you now holding the blades in your hand.

You dropped to one knee and lowered your head to show that you agreed to his request. You would protect them, for as long as you could.

Six years later, you would have to live up to your vow.

War began, but not against the Yokai. The forces of man could not see past their own greed. Their own anger. Their own pride.

The clans of the East and the West meet on the battlefield at Sekigahara. Until now, the world was uncomplicated. Yokai against humans. There has been war. Life or death, honor or dishonored.

The clan of the East had ordered one male from each family to fight. Though you were not of blood, you volunteered yourself to fight on behalf of the house so that the old man would not. You became a Samurai. A warrior.

You fought for four years before your Master fell at Sekigahara, cut down. Dishonored.

Butchered like a common thief.

But the war came to a close. Now a warrior, a Samurai, you returned home to serve the home you had sworn to protect.

But all you found was ruin.

The war had reached the village you had come to call home. There was not much left of it. And the home was empty, two shallow graves were dug near the pond.

You paid your respects and returned to the home. You found the man's hat and placed it upon your head. You then moved the bookshelf.

Like many Samurai, you were now reduced to this. A Ronin. It was not as glamorous as it may sound. You were a masterclass warrior, forced to wonder the many roads of the Shogunate.

There were many Ronin. Some seemed vengeance. Some for honor. And while you searched, while you continued your journey, maybe, just maybe, you could keep the memory of your family alive.

And so, you walked on the road to do what the couple did for you.

To help those who were in need.

And your first was not human.

Cat: <Meow?>

You were taking shelter in a shrine from the rain. There, you found a small kitten alone and hungry. You shared with it some of your rations. When you ended up needing to stay in the shrine until daybreak, the cat stayed with you. When you left, it followed.

It did not take long before the animal was resting on your shoulder.

Kuro: <Meow>

You had named it.

The months grew longer before you found a board in a town. You had never seen one before. It was littered with requests for those who could help.

Akio: The roads are safer than they used to be. The Daimyo must be hard, but he keeps the bandits in check.

In a small tavern, you sat alone with a drink. Kuro was asleep in your chest plate while your hat sat beside you. Two tables away was a group of lords who spoke of things they knew nothing about. Three tables the opposite way was a man who wore his hat low, covering his face.

Daiki: What floating world do you love in, Akio? The Daimyo is more interested in hunting than the affairs of state. And I hear that it is more than hawks that he's hunting.

He looked around the room before even leaned forward with a smirk.

Daiki: Our reserved Daimyo has the prettiest and most inventive girls sent to him from Yoshiwara.

Akio: Enough, Daiki.

You just took another drink.

Akio: The Daimyo has spies. Maybe we've had too much to drink.

The Inn Keeper hurried to their table with a bottle as you watched out of the corner of your eye.

Inn Keeper: Oh, take more wine, my lords. They are not spies, simply a drunkard and a washed up Ronin.

You noticed the drunk man shift a bit.

???: A...Dr-Drunkard? Wh-Who called me...a.....a....

Inn Keeper: I hope the Daimyo runs all these dammed Ronins out of the Hun. Walking around like they're still so important, when they're nothing but bums!

The Inn Keeper was suddenly silenced when he felt something sharp against his neck. The lords all got to their feet in surpise by your sudden appearance. You held only one blade, but you had your hand on your second in case you needed it.

No one even heard you move. No one saw you stand.

Akio: He moves like a spirit. How?

Drunk: Y-You are all....f-fools.

The lords looked at the drunk as he slammed down another drink.

Drunk: H-He is....a great warrior....wh-who served a gr-great master. He fought....during the battle of....S..Sekigahara.

The Inn Keeper lofted his hands as he looked at you. His eyes wide and his heart raced fast. You could see tears start to form in his eyes.

Inn Keeper: P-Please, oh great warrior. Great Samurai. S-Spare me. I'm but an old man and...and the wine....it makes me foolish.

You narrowed your eyes at him for a moment. Finally, you pulled your blade away from his throat. You motioned for him to leave. He wasted no time in rushing out of his own building with the lords right behind him.

You returned your blade to it's rightful place before you felt something on your chest move. Kuro poked her head out of your armor and looked around.

Kuro: <Meow?>

You just let out a sigh before you heard the sound of metal clapping together. You looked over to the drunk who was clapping with a smile on his face. Now that you could actually see it, you realized it was covered in scars and bandages.

Drunk: Excshellent performansh! <Hic!>

You just shook your head. Pathetic wrench. You headed back to your table and grabbed your hat before you started to leave.

Drunk: I saw you.

You stopped and slowly turned to him.

Drunk: You were a hero. A warrior. But I've buried two that wore that same symbol.

He pointed to the robe you wore under your armor. The symbol was that of the home of the old man and his wife. Their family symbol.

Drunk: Times are changing. They are changing.

It took you the best part of the week. Every step you took, the Drunk was not far behind. You could hear him ramble to himself. He was a miserable fool, nothing else. Nothing he said made any sense. But he was the one leading you to where you needed to go.

On shrines across the land, people leave wishes to the Gods in shapes of plaques and Emas. Using secret codes, this is also a practical way of communicating with other travelers.

You had heard about this from fellow Samurai during your time as one. And now you were here. At a shrine covered in them.

The smell of decay hit your nose almost immediately. The drunk stayed back, his own sword on his back and a smile ever present on his lips. But you did not care for him. Nor of what he was to do while you searched the shrine for the source of the awful smell.

You found it when you reached the base of the large Sakura tree that was at the center of the shrine. They flowers should have fallen already, but they were in full bloom. Under their beautiful colors stood a single man in red armor. A large sword was in his hand, and all around him were the corpses of fallen warriors.

You recognized some. You had fought alongside them. Some you fought against. All Samurai.

You knew this red Samurai as well. He was once an ally of yours during the war. Many called him by one name.

Omega.

Omega: So, you finally appear.

You said nothing. You never said anything. Never spoke. But he did not need an answer. You looked at the bodies of your fallen comrades and enemies once more.

Omega: I knew you'd come eventually. You are wondering what happened to our brothers, yes?

Your eyes fell onto him once more.

Omega: They met the same fate that you will soon befall. Now bow to your own fate with dignity and I swear that your grave will be much deeper.

You simply pulled out your blades.

Omega: Of course.

He simply allowed his sword to drop from his hand, before he grabbed the chain attached to it. He swung the blade towards you but you managed to block it with your own.

Omega: Our master did not deserve us. The Daimyo showed me the truth. This is the way of the new world.

He swung the blade again, but you charged forward. You held one blade to block the chain and used the other to attack. Omega stepped out of the way just in time to avoid the sharp edge.

Omega then threw his blade up into the air before he brought it down. You leaped back and the sword stabbed into the spot you were once standing.

You charged forward once again, but you found yourself losing your footing when Omega recalled his weapon. The ground opened up and sent you falling. You caught yourself and landed on one knee while you held your sword to block the incoming attack.

Omega: Our master is dead. The world around us is changing. The ways of old are no more.

You reached under your belt and pulled out three sharp objects. You threw them towards the larger man who allowed them to stab into his armor.

He was unfazed by your attack, but you didn't even care. You simply swung your blade, but it was blocked by the much larger sword.

Omega: Your skills have not dulled. Good. I would be ashamed for you if they had.

You simply narrowed your eyes at him.

Omega: The others are dead. Soon enough, we will join them. The Daimyo will assure that our families are taken care of.

Drunk: Of course he will.

Omega looked towards the entrance to see the drunk standing there. He was smiling under his straw hat. His face still hidden under shadow.

Drunk: He'll train your sons to be soldiers and use your wives and daughters as concubines. Oh, what a life.

Omega: Who are you?

He broke the lock and sent you back a few feet. You landed standing up and held your blades.

Drunk: Me? I'm just some poor fool who had the misfortune of meeting this speechless warrior. But you, I know you. Omega, the Red Samurai. But there were more of you.

Omega: You know nothing of what you speak, Fool!

He threw his sword, but you grabbed the chain and allowed it to swing right back into Omega. The blade was hacked into his side which knocked him off his feet. You charged forward, but Omega lifted his feet and launched you over him. You landed off to the side of the tree, dropping your swords in the process.

Omega stood back up and pulled his weapon free from his armor. You pushed yourself up to your hands and knees, and you spotted something on the hand of one of the corpses.

Drunk: Well, this is quite a problem.

Omega: Silence, Fool! I will deal with you after I kill the Speechless One.

Omega walked around the tree, but you were missing. He heard a sound and turned around to see you standing there with one sword in your hand. He approached you, but you rolled under his attack. You sliced your blade into the bigger Samurai's gut which caused him to wince.

He was slower now. He was hurt. Blood was dripping from his wounds already. But he wasn't done yet.

So you stabbed your sword forward, but he caught it with his hand. However, you revealed your other hand. On it was a glove with three blades crafted between the fingers.

And you swung your fist forward.

The blades stabbed into Omega's face. The metal pierced his skin as you pushed them even deeper. Blood began to bubble up through the torn flesh and covered your hands.

Omega cried out, but you didn't let up. You pulled the claws out and immediately drove them even deeper. Your fist hit Omega's skull which made you only pull out and swung harder.

Omega fell backwards and began to spaz as more blood poured from his many wounds. You held the blades there for a moment before you were sure that he had died.

Your breathing was now heavy. But what caught the Drunk's eye was the smoke that was coming from your mouth. Each breath brought a small cloud of smoke.

He caught a glimpse of your teeth. He saw how sharp your fangs had become and how your right eye was seemingly glowing gold. You slowly got back to your feet as you stared at your former comrade. Your fellow Ronin.

The sun was setting by the time you and the drunk buried all of the corpses. You had marked their graves with old planks of wood you had gathered.

Even Omega had a grave.

You looked down at the final one where you held the claws. You set them on the dirt and let out a sigh.

Drunk: The markings on the blades. Uruvu~arin. Wolverine. That means that the grave next to him is Silver Fox. Seems like I was correct after all. You were a Marauder. Under Lord Fukitsu.

You said nothing. You simply clasped your hands together and bowed your head. You gave a silent prayer for your former comrades and got back to your feet.

Kuro: <Meow>

You grabbed your swords and returned them to your waist before you turned to leave. The drunk shrugged and began to follow.

Drunk: You know, the Daimyo is responsible for all of this. Many say that he's one of the Demon King's generals.

You just kept walking.

Drunk: Uh, right. You probably don't care about that guy. Well, we can still take down that Daimyo. Say, what is your name, Speechless One?

You still did not reply.

Drunk: Well, I suppose you don't need to speak. I can do that enough for the both of us. Ah! I forgot you don't know my name. I am Watari. But you may call me Wade.

Wade: Not that you ever will.

You did not care to know his name. But if he was going to stay around, maybe it would be best for you to know who was with you.

Besides, he was going to help you kill the Daimyo.