Miura woke to the sound of shouting, his groggy mind struggling to make sense of the noise. He cursed under his breath, pushing himself out of bed and peering out the window. Torches flickered in the darkness, illuminating a growing crowd of people gathering in the streets below.
"What the hell is going on now?" he muttered to himself, his irritation growing as he tried to make sense of the scene. He turned away from the window, his gaze sweeping the room. His eyes narrowed as he realized Ether wasn't there. "Fuck," he spat, a mix of anger and annoyance bubbling up inside him. "Where the hell did she go now?"
Miura stepped outside and made his way towards the noise, pulling his cloak's hood over his head. As he neared the gathering, he saw a large crowd surrounding a makeshift gallows. People with bags over their heads were being dragged onto the platform by soldiers.
Voices in the crowd rose in confusion and recognition.
"Why are they doing an execution this late?" someone asked.
"Isn't that Thomas?" another whispered, pointing.
"Gods, it's his whole family," a woman gasped.
Miura moved through the throng, his hood casting shadows over his face as he silently observed the scene. He kept his eyes on the figures on the stage, noting the tension in the air. His eyes narrowed as he saw the man in charge of the proceedings.
Kentaro, the captain he had fought back in Karr, stepped forward. "These people stand accused of harboring an Opal!" he declared. "They will be executed for their treachery!"
Thomas looked desperately at his wife, his face pale and etched with fear. Jasper stood next to them, his eyes wide with terror. Ether, standing at the end, stared out at the crowd, her eyes brimming with guilt and tears.
Kentaro looked at Ether, a knowing glint in his eye. He turned to the end of the stage, where a man clad in thick, menacing armor stood. "Ryoku," Kentaro addressed him by his real name, "pay attention."
Ryoku scoffed. Kentaro walked towards Thomas, his voice dripping with disdain. "The Dung Eater here would have ripped you limb from limb if I'd let him," he said, drawing his large, crude blade. "So consider this an act of mercy."
Mary began screaming, her voice a desperate plea. "Please, no! Don't do this!"
Jasper stood paralyzed, his breath caught in his throat. Miura, hidden in the crowd, watched the scene with cold, detached eyes. Ether's face twisted in horror as she saw the blade rise.
"No! NO! NO! NO!" she screamed, her voice raw with desperation.
She turned, desperately scanning the crowd, and her eyes locked onto Miura. A glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes. But Miura didn't move. He just stared, unmoving.
"Please, someone, help them!" a woman in the crowd cried out.
"Why are they doing this?" another voice shouted.
"Thomas!" Mary screamed again as she was forced down on her knees, tears streaming down her face. "Please, someone, stop them!"
Jasper gasped, "Dad, no! Don't do this to him!"
"Shut up, all of you!" a soldier barked, his voice harsh and unyielding.
The blade descended, and Thomas's head was severed. Blood sprayed across the stage as the crowd erupted into chaos. Screams filled the air, both of horror and protest.
"Why are they killing them?" someone in the crowd yelled.
"They haven't done anything wrong!" another voice shouted.
"Stop this madness!" a man roared, trying to push past the soldiers, only to be beaten back.
Miura remained still. His eyes were locked onto the gallows as he saw Thomas's head fly. He didn't move. He didn't react. Ether's home shattered.
"Miura," she whispered, her voice choked. "Why?"
She looked back at the gallows, her heart pounding. They forced Mary down on her knees, the executioner readying his blade.
"HELP ME, YOU PRICK!" she roared, her voice cutting through the chaos, echoing with a mix of rage and desperation.
Kentaro paused, his blade hovering over Mary. He turned his gaze to the crowd, searching for the source of the outburst.
Ether's eyes burned with fury as she locked onto Miura. "HELP ME!" she screamed again, her voice breaking.
The crowd went silent, all eyes turning towards Miura. Kentaro's gaze settled on him. A smirk playing on the corners of his mouth.
Miura scoffed, feeling the eyes of the crowd on him. "Goddamn it," he muttered, his voice dripping with irritation. "Fucking putting me on the spot like this, you little bitch. You know what you're doing."
He drew his axe and flail, the weapons gleaming ominously in the torchlight. Ryoku laughed loudly. "I've got this," he declared with a grin, leaping down and readying his massive war club.
Ether's eyes darted around the stage, locking onto a guard. With a roar, she slammed her shoulder into him, knocking him off the gallows. The guard tumbled, hitting the ground with a heavy thud.
Kentaro's eye trailed to Ether, and he just stared at her, a pitiful look in his eyes. "Your determination," he said very lowly, almost to himself, "reminds me of someone. Maybe it was best you weren't executed that day."
Ether's determination was evident in her eyes. "Get up!" she shouted to Jasper an Mary. Her eyes drooped as she saw Mary. "No, no, Thomas! Get up! Please!"
Ether urged Mary to move, her voice strained. "We have to go! Get up, Mary! We can't stay here!"
Jasper finally snapped out of his gaze, staring at his father's corpse. "Dad..." he muttered, tears streaming down his face. "I can't... I can't leave him."
Ether frantically scanned the area for something to cut her bonds. "Jasper, help me to find something to cut these."
Ether turned and looked at Kentaro, who was staring at them with a side eye. He made no attempt to stop them. "It seems the execution has stirred up quite the emotional turmoil," he mused to himself, a dark amusement glinting in his eyes.
The rest of the crowd had run off now.
Ryoku's muscles tensed as he observed Miura, "This won't be like last time," he muttered under his breath.
With a roar, Ryoku lunged forward, his war club swinging in a wide arc aimed at Miura's torso. Miura, anticipating the attack, dodged to the side, the heavy club narrowly missing its mark.
Seizing the opportunity, Miura retaliated with a swift strike from his flail, the spiked chain whistling through the air as it aimed for Ryoku's exposed flank. The chain wrapped around Ryoku's arm, but he pulled, trying to drag Miura closer. Miura planted his feet, yanking the flail free before Ryoku could close the distance.
Undeterred, Ryoku charged forward, his war club swinging in relentless arcs. Miura danced backward, using the length of his chain to strike at Ryoku's legs and arms. Ryoku grunted as the spiked end of the flail raked across his thigh, but he pressed on, trying to get within striking distance.
Miura swung his axe in a horizontal arc, aiming for Ryoku's midsection. Ryoku blocked with his forearm, wincing at the impact, and used the momentum to swing his club upward. Miura ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as the club passed inches from his head.
Miura spun on his heel, sending the flail flying out in a wide arc. The chain whipped around Ryoku's legs, momentarily entangling him. Miura yanked hard, pulling Ryoku off balance, but the Dung Eater used his immense strength to tear free, the flail's spikes ripping his flesh.
Ryoku roared in anger, swinging his club down with both hands, aiming to crush Miura.
Miura sidestepped, swinging his flail to strike Ryoku's exposed back. The spikes bit deep, but Ryoku ignored the pain, spinning around with surprising speed to backhand Miura with his free hand.
The blow sent Miura staggering, but he quickly recovered, sending his chain flying out to wrap around Ryoku's wrist. He yanked, pulling Ryoku's arm down, and followed up with a powerful strike from his axe aimed at Ryoku's head. Ryoku ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and retaliated with a savage kick to Miura's chest, sending him sprawling.
Breathing heavily, Miura got to his feet, his eyes locked on Ryoku. He swung the flail again, the chain snaking around Ryoku's club. With a quick twist, Miura disarmed him, sending the club clattering to the ground. Ryoku didn't hesitate, lunging at Miura with his bare hands.
Miura swung his axe, but Ryoku caught his wrist, squeezing with bone-crushing force. Miura gritted his teeth, using his other hand to whip the flail around Ryoku's neck. The spikes dug in, and Miura pulled tight, choking him.
Ryoku's eyes bulged as he struggled against the chain. With a final burst of strength, he grabbed the chain and tore it free, blood streaming from his neck.
Ryoku's eyes were wide and he lunged at Miura. Miura saw the opening and swung his flail sideways. The flail's spikes tore through Ryoku's stomach, disemboweling him in a gruesome spray of blood and entrails.
Ryoku's eyes widened in shock as he looked down at his ruined midsection, staggering but still coming at Miura. With a swift, brutal motion, Miura swung his axe, the blade slicing into Ryoku's neck. The axe cleaved through flesh and bone, leaving Ryoku's head hanging by a thread of sinew and skin.
Ryoku tumbled to the ground, his body convulsing as blood pooled around him.
Miura turned to Kentaro, who watched with a gleam in his eye. "I remember our duel," Kentaro said, his voice steady. "I hope you'll see it to the end."
Miura's gaze hardened. "I was going to ask to continue anyway," he replied, straightening his posture. "The girl interrupted it last time." He glanced forward to the gallows, noting Ether cutting away at her bonds while Jasper desperately tried to get his mother to move.
Through bloodied gurgles, Ryoku, the Dung Eater, began to laugh. Miura glanced back to see Ryoku's form contorting and transforming into something truly grotesque—a monstrous, nightmarish creature. The creature was enormous, its body twisted and muscular, covered in thick, sinewy flesh. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its monstrous maw dripped with black ichor.
Miura offered a curt smile, locking eyes with Kentaro. "Seems like you brought friends," he muttered. The sounds of footsteps filled the air, as a legion of soldiers surrounded Miura.
Kentaro's laughter echoed across the square. "Survive this bout, Miura, and we shall continue our duel!"
Miura spun on his heel, swinging his axe and flail with deadly precision. The flail's chain whipped out, wrapping around the transformed Ryoku's massive arm. With a powerful yank, Miura pulled the beast off balance, then followed up with a vicious swing of his axe, aiming for the creature's neck.
Ryoku's monstrous form howled in pain, black blood spraying from the wound as the axe bit deep. But the creature retaliated with a brutal swipe of its massive clawed hand, catching Miura across the chest and sending him staggering back.
"Come on, you ugly bastard!" Miura shouted through clenched teeth, tasting blood on his lips.
Miura gritted his teeth against the pain, regaining his footing quickly. He swung the flail again, the spiked end embedding itself in the creature's abdomen. With a fierce tug, he ripped it free, disemboweling the beast further. Ryoku's transformed body shuddered, but it lashed out again, forcing Miura to dodge and weave to avoid the lethal strikes.
Ryoku's a resilient son of a bitch, Miura thought grimly, sweat dripping down his face.
Ryoku, now even larger and more grotesque, lunged at Miura with surprising speed, its massive fists pounding the ground where Miura had stood moments before. Miura used the flail's reach to his advantage, swinging it in wide arcs to keep the beast at bay. The chain wrapped around one of Ryoku's legs, and with a powerful yank, Miura toppled the creature, bringing it crashing to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Miura closed the distance and brought his axe down on Ryoku's shoulder. The blade bit deep, sending black blood spraying. Ryoku howled in pain but didn't falter. It swung its other arm, and Miura had to roll to the side to avoid being crushed.
Damn, this thing just won't quit, Miura thought with frustration, his heart pounding in his chest.
Miura kept moving, using the range of his flail to strike from all angles. The chain snaked around Ryoku's legs, and with another powerful pull, Miura toppled the beast. He aimed for the creature's chest, where he suspected the remaining vulnerable spots were located.
Ryoku roared, its claws digging into the ground as it struggled to rise. Miura didn't let up. He swung the flail again, the spikes tearing through the creature's flesh. Ryoku's movements grew sluggish as Miura's relentless assault continued.
With one final, powerful swing, Miura's flail tore through Ryoku's midsection, disemboweling the beast. Ryoku's monstrous form shuddered violently, and its eyes widened in shock. Miura took advantage of the opening and brought his axe down, cleaving into Ryoku's neck. The blade cut deep, nearly severing the head.
Ryoku's body convulsed one last time before collapsing into a lifeless heap, black blood pooling around it.
Ether's hands trembled as she finally succeeded in cutting through her bonds. She wasted no time, sprinting over to Jasper and his mother. Grabbing Mary by the arm, she began to pull her away. "No, please! Get up!" she cried urgently, her voice breaking. "He's dead, Mom! He's dead!"
Mary, in shock, resisted, her eyes locked onto Thomas's lifeless form. Ether gritted her teeth, tears streaming down her face. "We have to go, now!"
They began running, practically ripping Mary from Thomas's body as they pulled her along. Jasper stumbled but kept pace, his face pale and stricken with fear.
Kentaro, observing their escape, raised his hand. "Survive for a bit longer, Miura," he commanded, his voice cold. He then turned and began to walk away, leaving the soldiers to rush Miura.
Miura scoffed, his eyes narrowing as he readied his weapons. He swung his flail in a wide arc, the chain whistling through the air and ripping through several soldiers at once.
As the first soldier lunged at him, Miura swung the flail with deadly precision. The chain whistled through the air, the spiked end connecting with the soldier's skull in a sickening crunch. The man's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless.
More soldiers charged, but Miura was a whirlwind of steel and fury. He spun, the flail's chain arcing through the air, striking down foes left and right. Each swing was accompanied by the dull thud of metal meeting flesh, the screams of the dying blending into a cacophony of violence.
One soldier managed to get close, thrusting his sword at Miura's side. Miura twisted, avoiding the blade by a hair's breadth, and brought his axe down on the man's shoulder, cleaving through armor and bone. The soldier fell, his scream cut short as blood sprayed from the wound.
Miura's movements were a blur; inhumanly fast. He swung the flail in a wide arc, the chain wrapping around another soldier's neck. With a savage yank, he pulled the man off his feet, the spikes digging deep into his flesh. The soldier's body convulsed as Miura pulled the flail free, blood splurging from the wound.
Another soldier rushed at Miura, but he was ready. He swung the flail low, the spiked end smashing into the man's knee, shattering bone and sending him crashing to the ground. Miura followed up with a brutal stomp, crushing the soldier's skull beneath his boot.
He was bent and coiled over like a beast ready to pounce, his red eyes glowing with a malevolent intensity. His breath came in ragged gasps, and his muscles tensed with the promise of further violence. Blood dripped from his flail and axe, pooling at his feet.
The remaining soldiers stared at him in horror, their eyes wide with fear. One of them muttered, "A fucking monster…"
Miura's lips curled into a grim smile as he straightened slightly, his eyes locking onto the terrified men. "You haven't seen anything yet," he growled, his voice low.
Without another word, he lunged forward, the flail swinging in a deadly arc.
Meanwhile, Ether, Jasper, and Mary dashed down a narrow alleyway. The shadows provided some cover, but Ether knew they couldn't stop. "Keep moving," she urged, glancing over her shoulder.
As they rounded a corner, Ether whispered, "We need to find a place to hide. Stay quiet and keep close."
There were the sounds of footsteps echoing down the alleyway. Ether turned, her heart pounding, and saw Kentaro staring intently at her from the entrance. "Your struggle is valiant, but it is pointless," he said, his voice carrying a chilling finality.
He began striding towards them, stopping to kneel to Ether's level. "Opal…" he murmured, raising his hand and pressing it against her cheek. "Disgraceful…" He looked down, his eyes filled with contempt. Ether was frozen in fear, unable to move or speak.
Suddenly, Jasper hit Kentaro's hand away, crying out, "FUCKING MONSTER!" He swung his fist at Kentaro, his face twisted in anger and desperation.
Kentaro parried Jasper's attack with a slap, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Ether, mustering her courage, opened her mouth to speak. "He… He won't care to."
Kentaro looked at her, his eyes narrowing. Then, unexpectedly, he offered a smile. "He's more righteous than you think."
Two more guards appeared behind him, their heavy footsteps echoing off the alley walls. They rushed forward, gripping Ether and Jasper roughly. Kentaro shook his head, "Leave the boy," he commanded, pointing to Mary. "Take her. We'll return to Karr at once."
The guards obeyed, dragging a struggling Mary away. Jasper tried to reach out for his mother, but the guards held him back. Ether, still in the grip of another guard, watched helplessly as Mary was taken away.
He stood, "Time to end this farce," he said turning and walking down the alley.
Jasper's heart pounded in his chest as he saw the men dragging Ether and his mother away. "No!" he screamed, charging at Kentaro with all the strength he could muster. He swung wildly, but Kentaro easily dodged his attack and sent a punch flying into Jasper's face, knocking him to the ground. The impact left him struggling to breathe, his vision blurred as tears and blood mixed on his face.
"P-please. Please!" he sobbed, crawling on the ground, trying to catch up, but it was too late. They were gone.
Despair engulfed Jasper. He felt a crushing weight of failure and inadequacy. "Fucking useless," he thought, the words echoing in his mind. "I'm fucking useless. Couldn't save Dad. Can't save Mom. Can't save Ether."
The realization hit him like a physical blow, each thought more painful than the last. He had watched helplessly as his father was executed, and now his mother and Ether were being taken away. "I couldn't do anything," he thought, his heart breaking. "I'm too weak. Too scared. I couldn't save them."
He lay there, his body wracked with sobs, the tears streaming down his face. Blood dripped onto the ground from his nose, mixing with the dirt. He felt like he was drowning in his grief, the weight of his failure pressing down on him.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps. Rough, uneven, as if someone was limping. Fear washed over him, his body tensing. He clenched his fists, trying to prepare himself for whatever was coming. Two feet came into his vision, the shoes splattered with blood that pooled on the ground.
He looked up, his eyes widening in terror. A demon stood before him, a man in a cloak with red eyes filled with bloodlust. A massive set of flesh coiled around his form, a chain and flail in his hands, gripped tightly. He was covered in blood, the redness staining his clothes and pooling around him.
Was this death?
Miura stared down at Jasper, his expression unreadable.
Miura offered his hand to Jasper. Jasper's eyes widened in surprise and confusion as he looked at this blood-soaked man. Was he offering help? Hesitantly, Jasper raised his hand, and in an instant, Miura gripped it. He lifted Jasper up like a ragdoll, holding him in the air with one arm, his red eyes staring intently into Jasper's.
"Where did the captain go?" Miura demanded, his voice cold and commanding.
Jasper looked down at the floor, fear paralyzing him.
Miura scoffed, "Oi. You deaf or something? Where did the captain go?"
Jasper looked back at him, his voice barely a whisper. "Karr."
Miura turned, glancing up into the sky as the first light of dawn began to break. "Dammit," he mumbled under his breath, and then unceremoniously dropped Jasper onto the ground with a thump. Without another word, he turned and started walking down the alleyway.
Jasper watched him go, his heart pounding. "W-wait!" he called out, his voice desperate.
Miura paused but didn't turn around.
"Please," Jasper began, scrambling to his feet. "They took my mother and another girl. You have to help me save them."
Miura glanced over his shoulder, his expression indifferent. "That's your problem, kid."
Jasper's heart sank, but he didn't give up.
Jasper's heart sank, but he didn't give up. "Ether talked about you," he said, his voice trembling. "She said you were strong. She believed in you. She said you could help us."
Miura stopped, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned to face Jasper. "Ether talked about me, huh?" he said, his voice laced with a mix of irritation and curiosity.
"Yes," Jasper pleaded, tears streaming down his face. "She said you were the only one who could stand up to them. Please, you have to help. They took my mother and Ether. I can't save them on my own. I'm too weak, but you… you're strong."
Miura scoffed, shaking his head. "That's a lie," he said coldly.
Jasper's desperation turned to anger. "You know what she really said, then? She said you're a self absorbed prick! You do whatever you want, and you'll get yourself killed before you achieve whatever stupid goal you have. She hates you!"
Miura chuckled darkly, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Good."
He began walking away, not sparing Jasper another glance. Jasper stood there for a moment, his mind racing, then hurried to follow him, his footsteps echoing in the narrow alleyway.
MIura walked to the stables, opening the door wide. He spotted one horse already saddled and began readying it, his movements quick and efficient.
As Miura began to climb onto the horse, Jasper ran over, desperation in his voice. "H-hey! Let me on."
Miura looked at him with cold indifference. "Yah!" he whipped the horse, and it began galloping away, leaving Jasper behind.
Jasper's eyes widened in panic. "Fuck!" He ran over to one of the remaining horses, grabbing the reins. He struggled to get his foot into the stirrup, muttering to himself in frustration. "Come on, you stupid… foot, just get in there!"
He tried to hoist himself up but slipped, nearly falling to the ground. "Damn it!" Jasper grumbled, his voice a mix of fear and irritation. "Why does this always look so easy in the stories?"
He tried again, this time managing to get his foot in the stirrup, but as he pulled himself up, the horse shifted, causing him to lose his balance. "Whoa! Whoa!" he exclaimed, clinging to the saddle for dear life.
Jasper took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Okay, third time's the charm." He placed his foot in the stirrup once more and, with a determined grunt, pulled himself up and over the horse's back. He landed awkwardly in the saddle, nearly sliding off the other side. "Oh, come on!"
Finally, he managed to sit upright, gripping the reins tightly. "Alright, let's go!" He kicked the horse's sides gently, and it began to trot forward. Jasper gave another, slightly more confident kick, and the horse picked up speed.
"Yah! Yah!" he called out, urging the horse to go faster as he tried to catch up to Miura. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of fear and adrenaline driving him forward. As he rode, he couldn't help but mutter to himself, "I'm coming, Mom. I'm coming, Ether. Just hold on."