Prologue

146 ED

Tatsuo felt like a rabbit as he bound over the fallen log. His pursuers trailed behind him, seeking his capture or death. His feet were cut and bruised, blood coating the padding . Aside from his robes the only thing Tatsuo had with him was the metal crest his father had pressed into his hand, the last remnant of who he was.

Tatsuo’s father had given him one instruction, run into the forest, towards the mountain's base. If he could escape his pursuers he could hide in the mountains till he made it to their other side. Mount Anzendaka had always provided safety to the Okamoto clan, and would continue to do so for Tatsuo. Or so his father had said.

The arrow came from behind, piercing the back of his left shoulder unexpectedly. The arrow head stuck out as blood began to drip down his arm. Tatsuo fell to the ground and screamed out, the pain like a fire in his body. The crest fell to the ground for only a moment before Tatsuo reached out with his uninjured arm to pull it back to his chest protectively. He struggled to regain his footing, however his pursuers had caught up and now remained only meters away, shadowed by the trees. Their arrows reflected the stream of moonlight at Tatsuo, giving him a view of his impending demise.

Panic began to build in Tatsuo as he stared back with wide eyes. Could he escape with this injuries? He doubted he could get away before the arrows were loosed on him.

A growl echoed through the trees all around Tatsuo from the shadows of the forest. Suddenly a hulking form lunged out of the darkness, ripping apart the pursers in a spray of blood and gore within an instant. The forest was suddenly silent besides the pained panting of Tatsuo. The hulking shadow turned towards Tatsuo with large crimson eyes.

A wolf, a giant wolf larger than the largest man Tatsuo had ever seen before. It began to pad its way towards Tatsuo in a casual stride.

“You bear the crest of the Okamoto.” The wolf said. Its mouth opened but the words seemed to echo out of its mouth.

“Yokai.” Tatsuo said in a whisper. The spirits that roamed the world, causing havoc. He began to force himself to crawl back from the beast.

The wolf padded closer. “I smell the blood of Okamoto from your wounds. You have come for my protection have you not.” The wolf said in its gruff voice.

“Protection?” Tatsuo questioned, unsure how to take the Yokai’s words. His mind focused on escape and nothing else.

“Yes boy. The Okamoto have been good to me and my mountain for over a hundred years, they have earned my protection.”

Realization hit Tatsuo then. “Your Okuchi, the Kami of Mount Anzendaka.” Tatsuo said, pain searing up his arm where the arrow had pierced him. Now he knew why his father had sent him here.

“I am. Tell me, what do you need, Okamoto child.” Okuchi said, remaining at the edge of the shadows.

Tatsuo thought for a long moment. The images from earlier in the night, his father, his mother, his sister, his brothers, all their corpses. Tatsuo grit his teeth.

“I want revenge.” He stated with venom. “For the Okamoto clan. I want to wipe out the men who betrayed us.”

The statement held as the Kami stared unblinking at Tatsuo.