~ Sometime in the past~
Nimrod: What do you mean you can't help me? You tortured me for months because you didn't have your facts straight, and when it's time for retribution, all I get is a pat on the back and a there, there? Don't give me that crap!
Ninja Leader: What you ask is impossible. We of the Shadow clan have a very particular way of life. And our rules have been observed for generations. Finding the White wizard you mentioned isn't something we can do for you. Besides that, now that you know where we are, you are bound to remain here. We cannot allow you to leave.
Nimrod: Well, sure... I mean... That's perfectly reasonable.
Ninja Leader: I'm glad you understand – Nimrod interrupted her...
Nimrod: I WAS BEING SARCASTIC. Look... Forget it. This is a waste of time. Remain here, my ass! Try and stop me!
Nimrod attempted to get away by flying straight up to escape the forest. He suddenly saw an unnaturally giant spider in his way. He thought it had to be the work of Shadow, of the Big three. Shadow was able to create illusions to confuse her opponents as she did with Andred (she made him see the giant Kohrr again, which terrified him).
Nimrod: Think you can fool me with your cheap parlor tricks? Joke's on you, bitch!
As Nimrod tried flying through the spider, it shot a net made of webs, and he was caught in it, glued to a tree. Shadow came by with a laugh.
Shadow: Do you like my pet? Her name is Kathryn. She knows it's time to play whenever a prisoner tries to leave. And as you've learned the hard way, Kathryn always wins!
Nimrod: Whatever, lady... Look, just get that thing away from me, OK?... That's a messed-up taste in pets you got there, you know? - Nimrod nervously said as he realized that the giant-sized spider was real.
Ninja Leader: No need to lose your spirit. Life here in the Village is not as bad as you might think. There's plenty to do, I assure you. I now officially welcome you to the Shadow Clan Village.
Nimrod: Yeah, your giant-spider-wielding psycho made it pretty clear that I'm a prisoner here...
Ninja Leader: Shadow is only being playful. I assure you that you are no longer a prisoner. However, you are still not allowed to leave.
Nimrod: Go figure...
~Now~
Nimrod was always thinking of a way of escaping the Shadow clan's domain. He tried many times. Shadow and Kathryn stopped him every single one of them.
One day he was walking by the common areas and saw a ninja sleeping around a table with a plate of food in front of him. It was a plate of sashimi with a mountain of rice. He had barely touched it. He fell asleep as he sat down to eat.
As Nimrod continued his stroll, he saw that the clan had a simple-looking place to call home, but everyone had a role. They were all hard workers and seemed to be busy at all times.
Some were builders. They made the huts and all the structures the people and warriors used. The farmers worked the land, ensuring there was always plenty of food for everyone. The guild of doctors was tiny but invaluable as well. Some children would often be sick, and these doctors were always able to do something to help them. It was strange for such reclusive people to know about medicine at all. The teachers gave children the knowledge of history and guided them to choose which guild they wanted to join to contribute to their society. And, of course, there were the warriors. The lowest ranks were just soldiers that would stand watch at all times, and then there were the Big Three. They were with the clan leader at all times. Interestingly enough, for Nimrod... everyone seemed so happy.
After a long walk, he found the leader playing with some kids.
Children: We got you! Now it's your turn to hide, Romina!
Ninja Leader: Wait... I thought it was the other way around! All right. Close your eyes... And no peeking!
Nimrod: So that's your real name, huh, Leader? I always pictured you as a Francine... Can't say why...
The clan leader Romina could see through Nimrod's seemingly carefree exterior. She was an excellent judge of character.
Romina: You always seem miserable, Nimrod. I understand you have been through many difficulties in life. I can see it in your eyes. – When he heard her say that, Nimrod lost the smirk he usually had when talking with others...
Romina: What if life is giving you a chance to start over and make something new?
Nimrod: Easy for you to say. You weren't the one that was kidnapped, wrongfully accused, tortured for months, and forced to live in a strange place full of wackos that won't even give you the courtesy of helping you find their true friend!
Romina was silent for a moment. When she was about to speak, the children came from behind.
Little boy: We found you, Romina!
Little girl: That was easy!
Little boy B: You didn't hide like the last time...
Little girl B: I'm hungry. Let's eat Hanzo's food! He's the guard that always falls asleep!
The children ran off to find Hanzo, the sleeping ninja. They found him sleeping and took his food. They gobbled it all up in a heartbeat. Kids were ruthless when it came to food. They'd often take no prisoners.
Romina smiled at the children's excitement. There was prideful joy in that smile. She had taken off her mask to play with the kids. She firmly believed that the future of the Shadow Clan was in those children. Seeing how the children interacted with Romina made Nimrod remember another child he knew long ago. But his thoughts were interrupted when Romina suddenly started talking with him again as they both watched the children running around playfully and happily.
Romina: My father was the previous leader of this clan... Lord Takeshi. I never saw anyone command as much respect as he did. Everyone in the clan both feared and loved him... just like me. He was my everything. I never met my mother. She died while giving birth to me. And I lost my father to a group of Knights that had invaded our territories, hoping to make a name for themselves by subduing the infamous Shadow Ninja Clan. I understand loss all too well, Nimrod. And I know you do too. Now I must protect my people from the evil of the outside world. And no one... No one will stop me from doing that.
Without warning, the tremoring sound of an explosion went off in the distance. After a tense-filled long period of dead silence, there was an anxiety-inducing sensation of great anticipation in the air. Something was already happening.
When the tension had filled the air so much that it had become hard to breathe, many explosions were heard in the distance coming from all directions.
Nimrod: Is this your people's idea of a festival or something?
Romina: This isn't us! - She said while looking extremely concerned.
A shadow belonging to Shadow from the Big Three approached Romina. (Shadow had many abilities, including using her own literal shadow to detach from herself and serve as a spy or messenger).
Romina: Shadow! Report!
Shadow: Forgive me, Leader! I have f-f-failed! I- - I couldn't stop them... They're too strong! And a host of them is--- coming your way!
Nimrod: Looks like you're being invaded! You should rethink that never set foot in the outside world philosophy... or your people might regret it!
Romina: Nonsense! The Big three have no equal... They have defended the village before… and we shall all do it again!
Mimics were coming from all directions. The ninja warriors were able to handle them without much problem. But there were too many. Way too many.
Ninja: Why are there monsters here? This is unheard of!
Shinto: Forget about the why and focus on defending the village! After we beat these monsters, I'll ask the Leader to marry me! She's sure to say yes after she sees my heroism in battle!
Ninja: Yeah, I've heard that one before...
Shinto was the fastest ninja in the clan. Also, one of the Big three. One of the ninjas behind him sliced open two mimics. Still, another monster snuck up on him: a Bomb flame (* Bomb flames were fire elemental monsters that looked like living flames... they didn't have dangerous attacks, but they did have one of the most lethal suicide attacks: Explode*) - - The Bomb monster exploded next to two other Bombs, causing a chain reaction that obliterated five ninjas, badly injuring Shinto.
All those explosions created a fire that was spreading in all directions rapidly and without quarter.
Eiji: Shinto! Hang in there! – Shinto was unresponsive. Half of his body and face were severely burnt. Eiji, another ninja of the Big Three, was in denial. He couldn't accept that Shinto was already done for.
Eiji: Come on, man! Who's gonna laugh at my jokes if you're gone? I mean, Shadow laughed once... but I think she was laughing at me... she can be heartless when she wants to... Please, don't die on me, man!
Eiji's throwing technique was beyond flawless. He used Ice skeens to neutralize the Bomb monsters nearby before any more of them exploded, but explosions could still be heard in the distance. It was getting scalding hot... hard to see and hard to breathe...
Romina: They used Bomb Flames all around the village to prevent anyone from leaving, while the Mimics are destroying all of our structures... – Romina observed while she destroyed several Mimics and Bombs. She realized that this was no random monster attack. It was a coordinated and planned offensive.
Romina: Whoever is behind this has made it so that no one can escape!
Nimrod: These monsters are reminding me of someone... It could be that he's the one behind this... I don't know for sure, but the last time I saw so many Mimics, they were with a guy that's horrible news...
Then suddenly, someone was heard slow clapping nearby...
Familiar voice: How extraordinary! Bravo! Flawless analysis. And I'm so glad you remember me... Rat!
Nimrod: Shit! Romina, get your people outta here! This guy's no joke!
Merlin: What's the rush? I was hoping to ask the clan Leader a crucial question... – he then teleported behind Romina, startling her in the process.
Merlin: Where is the Akuma-Kodachi?
Romina was still trying to process how it was that he suddenly and so quickly got behind her. She adopted a defensive stance wasting not a single moment.
Nimrod: The what?
Romina: So that's what this is about... We could have sat down to discuss this over tea! There was no need for you to bring ruin to my village!
Merlin: Well, I disagree... You see... There's nothing like the screams of humans in despair to cheer you up in the morning!
Merlin laughed maniacally. While he was doing that, several Mimics were able to bind Romina with their tentacles while she was distracted by Merlin. There were so many that they completely immobilized her.
At the same time, Nimrod was struggling against another hoard of Mimics.
Merlin: Come on... Be a good girl. Tell me where the weapon is.
Romina: It doesn't belong to you! It's been in my family for four generations! And it's sacred! Why should I allow scum like you to have it?!
Merlin: You act like the weapon is yours, and only you have the right to it, and yet you've never used it, have you? Why is that? Afraid of the rumors of those that used the blade going insane? - Merlin was his usual self. He had both a mocking and annoying smirk on his face.
Romina remained silent. Then a mimic came by, holding several children with its tentacles. They were the same children she was playing hide and seek with earlier. The fire had spread all across the village, and there was smoke all over the place. The children were coughing and having a difficult time breathing.
Merlin: Look! What have we here? These children look like they've had happy lives, don't they? How about I send them to their graves? Sounds like fun, don't you think?
Romina's heart was racing. She couldn't believe how far the man in front of her was willing to go to obtain what he had come for.
Romina: If I tell you where it is... will you let the children go?
Merlin paused while he looked at Romina. The look in her eyes was more determined than rageful, which he found pretty interesting.
Merlin: Sure! I suppose that's a fair compromise... Why not? Where is it? - he asked in a deadly serious tone.
Children: Romina, help us!
Romina: It's under the shrine in the middle of the village. Now let them go!
Merlin: Zeldrys – Zeldrys appeared from behind Merlin and went to confirm if Romina was telling the truth.
Merlin: What's the rush? We were only just getting acquainted!
As Zeldrys arrived at the shrine, he found Eiji blocking his way.
Zeldrys: Resistance is pointless. You have been defeated. Most of your people are dead, and many more are likely to die. Withdraw now while you still can.
Eiji: I WILL NEVER ABANDON OUR LEADER. AND I WON'T DIE UNTIL I'VE SENT YOU MONSTERS BACK TO HELL!
Eiji had moments ago realized that Shinto wasn't just unconscious... he was dead. Countless others died as well. The Mimics, Bomb Flames, Merlin, and Zeldrys, were too much for the village's defenses to handle. Ninja warriors and villagers were annihilated, and the fire consumed everything.
Eiji used his secret technique: Zantetsu-Ryu-ken (* A unique technique that used air pressure to form a blade that could cut anything*). It was said and believed among those in the clan that a dragon held the Zantetsu-Ryu-ken blade… and it had never failed in defeating an enemy up to that day.
The hidden technique was so strong that it cut off Zeldrys' head and legs. It put dents in his armor as well. Eiji saw that and naturally believed to have defeated his enemy. When a mimic started moving Zeldrys' body, he was about to look for Romina. It was putting the severed pieces back together.
In shock, Eiji watched in disbelief the entire process. He couldn't believe what he was seeing. After the mimic put the head and legs back in their place, Zeldrys started moving again as if nothing had ever happened to him. At this point, Eiji threw a Water skeen at him. Then a Bolt skeen. Nothing seemed to hurt him.
Eiji: It--- it cannot be! What sorcery is this?! You're supposed to be DEAD!
Zeldrys: He who is already dead cannot be killed. He who is alive, however... – as he said this, he pierced him through the heart with his new double-edged sword -
Zeldrys: ... can.
At the spot where Merlin, Romina, and the children were...
Merlin: What's taking that idiot so long...? Could you have lied to me, Romina dear?
Zeldrys: Merlin. I found it. We are done here. Call off your beasts.
Merlin: Oh, well... I guess that's it for today! – The Mimics released the children, who fell to the ground amid ashes and smoke. None of them were moving, and it had been a while since they had stopped coughing.
All the villagers and other ninjas were dead. Not one of them managed to escape. The village was completely burnt down. As for the children, the smoke had affected them severely. Zeldrys and Merlin were walking away... But Romina, believing that everyone had been massacred, was ready to die with her people.
Romina looked at the children as they remained motionless on the ground. They weren't breathing. They weren't crying. They weren't giving a hint of life. She saw the state of the clan and the village. Fire, smoke, and ash were the only things around her. After what they did, she couldn't just let them leave. She couldn't just pretend it didn't happen.
Romina: WAIT!
If you think you can come to my home and slaughter my people... And just leave as if their lives meant nothing... YOU'RE WRONG!!!
Romina charged at Merlin faster than he could react and cut him with her double-kodachi sword swipe. She cut the shape of an X on his chest, engraving it deeply. It looked like a fatal wound. It would have been if Merlin had been a normal human. But Merlin regenerated in front of her.
Romina: W-what are you? – Romina asked while in shock… Merlin simply laughed like a maniac.
As Merlin was getting ready to attack Romina with a spell, Kathryn (the giant spider) shot its web at Merlin. He was able to dodge the webs. Shadow was riding Kathryn. She was injured but still able to put up a fight.