The group made it to a small village that was surrounded by miles and miles of field land. The buildings were all made of dried mud and wood, sitting in the shapes of circles with roofs all pointing up into square pyramids, hanging over the buildings to create large coverings to block rain or snow. There was a single gate sitting at the entrance of the village, standing tall with faded and peeling red paint. Kiki walked through first as the others followed, but Hyobanshi was pushed back in between the tall beams.
“What was that?” Hyobanshi asked.
“We have magic attached to the gate to prevent evil forces.” One of the other Kotodama practitioners said.
“Then why am I being blocked from entering?” Hyobanshi asked.
“The magic detects anger in people’s hearts and souls. If you are more than half full of such feelings, you won’t be able to enter. You must feel at peace.” Kiki said.
Hyobanshi sighed before releasing his sword hilt. He wiggled his fingers softly before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
He tried to walk through again, but was once again forced back.
“Hyobanshi…you must let go.” Kiki stepped closer to him.
Hyobanshi stared into the eyes of her mask, but then suddenly sat cross legged on the ground, looking up at her.
“What are you doing?” She asked.
“Anger is not going to leave my soul. It is not something I can control.” Hyobanshi replied, looking up at her with a straight back.
“You must forgive whoever you hate, even if it is for a few seconds in order to enter here.” She said.
“The person I hate is myself, and nothing will ever change that.” Hyobanshi replied.
Kiki kept staring as Yasuke very slowly walked over. He stood next to Hyobanshi, then slowly lowered himself down to sit cross legged next to him. Hyobanshi glanced over as Yasuke kept staring forward.
“Are we doing an emotional moment thing?” Itachi asked, still blinded by the blood soaked bandages covering his eyes and forehead.
“Yasuke, what do you think you’re doing?” Arata asked.
“How could he walk in if he’s angry at Hyobanshi?” Itachi asked, pointing in the complete wrong direction. One of the practitioners around him moved his arm until he pointed at Arata.
“Because I know how to let go of anger, unlike this monster.” Arata said.
Suddenly, he began to shake before he was fired out through the gates, flying over ten feet over Hyobanshi and Yasuke before flipping and hitting the ground hard.
“No anger or hate inside of the village either.” Kiki said.
Itachi moved away from the Kotodama practitioners and walked forward, but then bumped into one of the wooden beams holding up the gate.
Itachi stumbled back before making his way through the gate. He stepped forward and bumped into Hyobanshi.
“Sorry.” Itachi said before moving to the side and sitting down the same way as Yasuke and Hyobanshi.
“What is happening?” One of the other practitioners asked.
“I’m not sure I understand.” Kiki replied.
Arata limped his way over to the rest of the group before sitting, but more from pain and less from honor.
“We stand…well sit by Hyobanshi. This man has saved my life more than I can count.” Yasuke said.
“I can say the same…although I can’t count as high as him.” Itachi said.
“I’m in too much pain to keep walking.” Arata said.
Hyobanshi continued to stare at Kiki.
“I know that your magic is tied into the good side of emotions. I understand that you and your people are kind and bright souls…”
Hyobanshi started, pointing out to the horizon.
“But when we fight those things, there will be no holding back from them. If you hesitate to kill those creatures, you will be dead before you can breathe in.” Hyobanshi said.
Kiki crossed her arms as she looked down at Hyobanshi.
“We will fight them the way that we believe in. Whether you are fighting alongside us will not change our morals or beliefs.” Kiki said.
“I am not one to ask such things…but you must understand that I am here to protect people. We will not be able to do that your way.” Hyobanshi said with little emotion.
Kiki continued to stand firm as Hyobanshi stared up.
“How do you know so much about the magical world?” Kiki asked.
Hyobanshi didn’t reply for a few minutes.
“I have experienced what no living man or woman could ever understand.” Hyobanshi replied.
Yasuke and Arata both looked over towards Hyobanshi with confused faces. Itachi kept looking around blindly.
“Would you care to enlighten us?” Kiki asked in a standoff tone.
“Gladly…”
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A young Hyobanshi was sitting away from the rest of the army. He was cleaning and shining his sword, which was covered in dried blood and splinters of broken armor. His samurai armor covering his entire body except for his head looked pristine and new, despite being used in multiple battles. A younger looking Arata made his way over, the golden mask in his hand as he placed a jug next to Hyobanshi.
“We won another battle. You really going to sit away from the celebration again?” Arata asked as he held his own jug, taking a large sip of something that reeked of spoiled alcohol.
“I will make sure my sword is ready for combat, then I will rest.” Hyobanshi replied dryly.
“You really need to learn how to loosen up. Let’s start simple. Do you have any emotion you can give your voice?” Arata asked jokingly.
Hyobanshi looked over with a stoic face, staring at Arata without emotion. His lips ever so slightly lifted into what could barely be described as a smile.
“Congratulations on leading us into victory commander.” Hyobanshi said with barely any more emotion than normal, his lips lowered as he went back to clean his sword.
Yasuke made his way over, his armor heavily damaged yet he still walked.
“How’s the conversation over here?” Yasuke asked.
“Barely existent.” Arata replied.
Yasuke stared at Hyobanshi and rolled his eyes before sitting down.
“Well, I guess that makes sense with him.” Yasuke nodded his head towards Hyobanshi, who cracked a barely visible smirk.
“Ha! You do have emotion!” Arata said loudly.
Yasuke and Arata laughed while Hyobanshi only smirked.
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Once all of the other soldiers were finally asleep after a long night of drinking and partying, Hyobanshi very quietly made his way from the small camp. He walked towards a nearby forest, stepping past the large and dark trees. The moon was half way full with only a small amount of light barely illuminating through the leaves. He continued to walk alone and silent as he observed the quiet and still trees. There was barely any wind to blow the leaves, leaving everything frozen in time.
Hyobanshi continued to walk, his eyes carefully and slowly moving tree to tree. His hand slowly reached down to grab the hilt of his sword, still looking around.
Out of the darkness, a creature made of shadow emerged quickly and raced towards him. He swung his sword, but the creature phased through as if it was nothing, then formed in the same shape and figure as Hyobanshi before moving to force itself into his mouth and nose. Hyobanshi gripped his sword tightly and stabbed up, the creature suddenly stopping before Hyobanshi was able to remove his sword. The creature fell dead to the ground, a hole in its form where the sword had been forcefully stabbed through before being removed.
Hyobanshi stared down at the creature of shadow laying weightlessly on the ground. He went to poke it with his foot, but it passed through as if nothing was there. Hyobanshi looked back at his sword, which seemed to glow subtly in the moonlight. He looked around subtly before sliding his sword back into the sheath.
Hyobanshi made his way back through the woods, spotting the camp of soldiers. He stopped at the edge of the trees, staring at the soldiers. He turned back to look into the dark forest, feeling a strange presence staring back through the darkness.
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