~53~ Archdemons: Tetsuno the Crimson Blade

Abeza Tetsuno. He was not one for kindness, nor was he one for communing with others, he was an antisocial man and moved where the wind took him, surviving off of what food he found and when he'd get paid he would use that money to buy food and stay at inns. In this age, mankind was not the greatest of beings. They were not powerful nor were they very advanced. They lived under the iron fist rule of the gods and were in constant fear and terror of demon attacks. The gods did not care either way whether or not humans died to beasts or demons, so long as those creatures of the night don't invade their turf. So any humans who don't live in any of the six great kingdoms were at the mercy of demons from the shadows and beasts of the moon.

Though, recently, the gods have become restless and began to extend their reach of territory. There have been humans across the world who are born with strange abilities that allow them to be stronger than normal, as well as have sharper senses. They were not granted magical abilities or aura, but they had unnatural physical and mental enhancements.

These humans were called Aberrants. In the eyes of the people, Aberrants are viewed as heroes, since they are the ones who protect them from demons and beasts. Though, few of them have ever defeated demons. There have only ever been two Aberrants to ever defeat demons. Tetsuno himself was an Aberrant, and he intended to kill a demon. Not just any demon though, a specific one. The demon that killed his wife.

Tetsuno was the age of thirty-seven. The event had happened six years ago now. It was late that evening and he was returning from his training and when he returned his entire home town was in flames. His wife was scorched and her skin was black and shrunken in. She crumbled away before his eyes, swallowed by dancing flames as she turned to ash. That night he ran through the entire town, flames flicking at his skin and leaving him with vicious burns, but he didn't care. Sword drawn, he searched and searched for the one that had done this to the woman he loved.

Eventually he found who he was looking for, but as he eyes set upon the demon that stood among the sea of flames, it's figure dark and phantom like. Terror ran through Tetsuno's body like cold ice in his veins. He couldn't move. Suddenly the rage that had filled his soul before had turned into a frustrated fear, ultimately, he knew he was weak. He could do nothing in the demon's presence, all he could do was bow to its might, his knees buckling as he fell to the dirt, heat waves causing sweat to head down his forehead. But even in the heat, he felt only cold fear. He felt like he couldn't breath, and for a long time he didn't. He just sat in a horrified silence.

He choked, black smoke filling his lungs as it billowed into the air. The demon turned, it's hollowed out purple shaded eyes turned to him. They looked directly into him and for a long time all Tetsuno could do was sit there, frozen. His hands, shaking, loosened up, his katana clattering to the ground as tears rolled down his cheeks. Here he sat before his wife's killer, and yet he could not even move in the being's presence. He could only shiver with dread.

The demon threw its head back in an amused laughter, a deep, dark and maniacal laugh. Then two large black wings spread from its back and it exploded into the night sky, disappearing behind the billowing smoke. Only then, when the demon was gone, could Tetsuno move again, but he didn't. He simply sank, collapsing to the ground in sorrow, guilt and shame. He stayed like this, wishing for the flames to engulf him, but they never did. Instead he passed out after a long while, the smoke causing him to lose consciousness. The next morning he woke to ash and death.

From that day forward Tetsuno swore to himself that he'd never fall victim to fear again. From that day on the only thing he valued was power. The only thing he respected was power. Power, power, power. He would do anything to become stronger, he'd become the strongest of all Aberrants and kill that demon. He'd already killed forty-nine monsters, three among them being dragons. He'd never been able to find nor fight a demon, much less the one he was hunting.

Tales of suffering and death at the hand of demons as widespread across the land, but by the time an Aberrant came to investigate the damage had already been done and the demon had disappeared. Not only this, but the amount of Aberrants in the world decreased daily. The gods did not approve of their existence, they felt that if humans gained power they would revolt against their creators, which was not inaccurate. Tetsuno had no doubt in his mind that if mankind had the power they'd rebel against the gods. But he doubted even the Aberrants all together couldn't defeat the gods, they didn't have the magical abilities they did.

As Tetsuno pondered on the idea of rebelling against gods, who, ultimately, were to blame for the suffering man faced now, he came to see, resting on the horizon ahead, was a small village. He dug his hand into his pockets and pulled out a small bag. He opened it, loosing the strings and peering inside. He had seven gold and four silver, his earnings from the last two beasts he'd slain. A single gold would cover a night of sleep in a bed, while two silvers would cover food. He wondered if he should check for a smithy, if the village had one. It'd most likely take all the gold he had left to repair his armor, maybe more. He probably didn't even have enough.

He sighed, stuffing the bag back into his tattered pocket. He wore a large baggy cloak that was tattered and stained from the outdoors. His pants were short on him and his sandals were falling apart. He slung a large back over his shoulder, of its contents were his armor, wood, rope, cloth, and a few rare items if he ever was in desperate need of cash. At his hip was tied his katana, held in a lavish scabbard. It was the only nice thing he had and it looked odd on him. One would think he stole it from a royal. His black hair was long and unkempt, hanging in his eyes. His skin was pale and he was thin and bags were beneath his eyes.

The ground was dusty and dry, the dirt hard and not so kind to his feet as large pebbles and sharp rocks dug into the bottoms of them through the souls of his sandals. He imagined the feeling of flopping into a bed, letting the cloth swallow him up in warmth and comfort. It sounded so nice after sleeping on the cold, damp ground for so long.

As he entered through the gates of the village he read the sign of the town. It was rugged and the iron that was nailed to the wood read "Feddle". He found it to be such a strange name for a village. He also took note that the village itself was very small, only about ten buildings all together, and the people seemed to be all tired and run down. They also all seemed on edge and weary of him, which he found strange. He figured they'd be used to travelers, seeing as they were right in the road's path, but he decided to ignore the rude looks he received.

He looked for the inn, which he found quickly seeing as it was the only building with a welcome sign and a double-door entrance. He walked up the wooden steps that led to the doors and then continued to open them, entering into a small area filled with tables. On the far wall was a counter with a dried up old man standing behind it furnishing a glass cup. On the wall behind him were shelves upon which seven bottles sat. Tetsuno looked about and took not that there were only four men in the bar. At the opposite end of the bar was a staircase, which he guessed led up to the rooms.

"Welcome, visitor. That's quite the luggage you carry upon your back." The old man spoke, his voice weak and shaky.

"Greetings." Tetsuno spoke. The old man gave him a look of surprise in return. Seeing as most of Tetsuno's face was covered by his hair and he appeared rugged and worn, you'd figure his voice would be brusque and deep, but against what you'd think it was really a gentle, soft voice. It was the voice of a mannered gentleman. Also, beneath his hair, his feature were actually quite close to what most woman would see as perfection, angled jaw line, fine, intelligent and deep eyes that seemed to hold a galaxy of blue in them while his eyelashes were long and his lips were filled. He had the face of a royal on the body of a soldier.

Tetsuno walked up to the counter and reached into his pocket, pulling out his bag and placing a single gold coin on the counter.

"Will this cover a single night?" He asked.

"No." The man spoke, shaking his head. Then he held up two fingers.

With a sigh Tetsuno placed another gold on the counter.

"Pah!" The man spat, waving his hand. He grabbed the gold coins and shoved them back into Tetsuno's hand. "Silver boy, two silvers."

"Really?" Tetsuno asked. "That is such a low cost.. I insist, take the gold. I'll use it to cover the food expenses as well."

"No. Two silvers. One for the night and one for food." The old man insisted.

"Are you certain?"

"Just accept the old man's kindness." Came a voice. Tetsuno turned to see a young man, he guessed around the age of twenty, sitting a few tables away. He looked tired and was obviously drunk. He was fit and wore no shirt, only pants. Scars covered his body and he had short brown hair. His skin was tanned and he looked like a warrior, defined muscles and all.

"But, I do not wish to pay any less than what it should be." Tetsuno said.

"What it should be? Hah. Man, are you from the Kingdoms or something? Out here we scrape by with what we got. Money is not much of an object to us. There are far more important things." The man said. Tetsuno was painfully reminded of his wife.

"Yes. I suppose you are right." He placed three silvers on the table.

"I said two-"

"Your turn to accept my kindness." Tetsuno cut the old man off as he dropped his bag to the ground and sat, placing his katana across his lap.

The old man chuckled. "Fine then. Fair enough, suppose." The man took the silvers in his decrepit hands and disappeared beneath the counter, rustling around with something before returning with a small glass and a bottle of alcohol. He poured it, the liquid filling the glass halfway before he placed it on the wooden counter and pushed it over to Tetsuno.

"It is our best gin. You'll enjoy it." The man spoke, replacing the bottle.

Tetsuno put his hand on the glass and grasped it, lifting it to his lips. The gin was indeed good and it was refreshing as it flowed into his mouth and he gulped it all in one go.

"I told you you'd like it." The old man spoke.

"Indeed. It is quite good." Tetsuno said. Then he heard someone walk up behind him. He turned, placing the glass on the counter as he saw the brown haired man from before approach him, sitting beside him. The old man poured him a glass and as the man gulped it, he slammed the glass back to the counter. He then turned to Tetsuno, an intense look in his eyes.

"You speak like a royal, and that blade is no ordinary weapon. Katanas aren't ordinary in general, much less ones as finely crafted as that. Who are you?" The man asked.

"Kedo, be respectful, he is our guest." The old man spoke.

"Sorry father, I am just curious."

'Father?' Tetsuno thought. He couldn't see any similarity between them, but decided to push that thought aside.

"My name is.." Tetsuno was about to say his full name, but decided against it. "Abeza."

"Abeza, huh? Where'd you get a blade like that?" The man, Kedo, asked.

"From my tutor. I used to take swordsmanship lessons."

"Has your blade tasted blood yet?" Kedo inquired.

The room went silent. Tetsuno's eyes went dark. "Yes. Many times." He answered solemnly.

"I see, so you are a hunter." The old man asked, cleaning a glass.

"You could say."

"Wait," Kedo spoke, "are you a-"

Just then the doors burst open and a cloaked figure walked in, followed by two others. "Greetings, old man! Pour us some drinks, won't you? We need to talk."