Chapter 1

154 ED

Tatsuo had arrived at the waystation as the sun began to set over the horizon. As he entered the large hall he was accosted with a series of eyes focused on him. It was to be expected, a ragged young man with deep black in a tail with rough traveling pants and tunic. The biggest draw of their eyes was the two swords at his hip, a katana and wakizashi. Hanging from the wakizashi was a large claw tied on the pummel.

Tatsuo ignored the looks, they would disperse assuming he was just another ronin looking for work. They wouldn't be wrong though. He took note of a few people giving him a hopeful look as he crossed to the counter and sat down. Clearly they were expecting someone, but would be disappointed that he wasn't them.

Taking one of the few coins from his purse, Tatsuo ordered himself some stew. These waystations were perfect for a cheap meal and a roof to sleep under for the night. No wanderer wanted to be out in the dark once the sun set for fear of the things that go bump in the night.

Discussion began to fill the hall, the type that Tatsuo strained to listen to seeking out local rumors. He still had a ways to go before he reached his next destination and he needed to get stronger before then. One discussion caught Tatsuo’s interest. It came from the hopeful eyes from earlier.

“I tells ya, that Onmyoji should be here anytime. He'll handle this.” A younger man said to an older man. They looked to be rice farmers, a standard profession in this kind of area.

“And what if they ain't?” The older man said in a gruff tone. “We suppose to let it continue running amok in the fields?” The man looked down into a drink before him. “Lost another lad, there's no time. I say we take the boys out there and deal with it ourselves.”

“Oh yes, why not just throw our lives away, you old coot. That Ayakashi would kill us like the lads.”

Tatsuo turned his vision towards the group now, preparing to interject on the conversation. Before he could the door to the waystation creaked open.

A man dressed in white robes entered. He carried a shakujo, a straw hat resting lightly on his head, a bag on his back, and a bag in his free hand.

“Good evening. I understand this village is in need of an Onmyoji?” The man said, his voice was casual and light. He took the straw hat off to reveal the well kept black hair below.

“Thats us.” The young man called out, lifting his hand to direct the onmyoji.

The Onmyoji began to cross the room before he paused, throwing a look towards Tatsuo that he quickly shifted back to the farmer, continuing to approach them.

Tatsuo scratched at the fuzz that was beginning to come in on his chin as he watched. Clearly the man was the real deal if he noticed Tatsuo’s presence. That was unfortunate for Tatsuo though, he had hoped to claim the money for the job.

“Good evening gentleman.” The Onmyoji said, taking a seat. “You may call me Naoki, what is the problem?” He sat with a casual demeanor, as if he wasn't talking business at all.

Tatsuo leaned forward to listen more as the rice farmers spoke, trying to look casual as he ate more of his stew.

“We been having issues in the fields. An Ayakashi. It comes out of the water of the fields and attacks whoever is nearby.”

Naoki listened intently. “What does it look like?”

“Like some kinda snake. And it's big and long. Easily as large as I am, but longer than this hall, and it's got sleek black scales.”

Tatsuo took note of the testament, making his own assessment.

“Snake ayakashi. Very well, please take me to the field where it has been attacking. I will deal with your yokai” Naoki smiled and flexed his arm confidently.

The rice farmers rose to their feet excitedly. Tatsuo got up himself and walked over. “May I join?” He asked casually. He had his own thoughts about this snake ayakashi and wanted to observe it himself.

“You want to join ronin?” one of the farmers asked. “This aint some bandit, this is ayakashi.”

“I understand that.” Tatsuo stated.

Naoki looked Tatsuo over, seeming to make a decision. “Very well, you may come. But I ask you all keep your distance.”

With that the group left the waystation, heading for the rice fields on the eastern side of the village. The fields were flooded with ankle deep water that reflected the moonlight in the darkness. Only the walking path remained unflooded and dry.

Naoki stood on the dirt path, kneeling to set his bag down and begin rummaging. “Has there been anything that draws it out from your observation?” He asked, pulling out a set of paper talismans and setting them on the ground.

“Nothing that we have seen, it just comes out of the water. Makes no sense, water is so shallow, where does it hide?” The younger farmer said as he looked at the fields.

“Yokai don't follow the traditional rules.” Naoki said, pulling out a jar of fireflies and setting them on the ground as he began to look through his talismans. The talismans all bore different symbols for casting magic. Tatsuo didnt know the meaning of the symbols for most of the talismans but still took note of each.

Tatsuo watched from nearby as Naoki went about his preparation. He turned his attention back to the fields and thought for a long moment. Perhaps he could encourage the ayakashi to emerge? He decided against it until he knew the onmyoji was ready.

Naoki placed a paper talisman on the glass jar of fireflies. The insects seemed to ignite in a steadier orange flame instead of the normal yellow glow. He unscrewed the cap and the fireflies began to fly into the air around the fields. They seemed unfazed by the sudden ignition to their bodies as they fluttered about.

“They will seek it out, once they do I can deal with this snake.” Naoki said, setting the talismans in a star pattern on the ground. He stepped into the center and readied himself. Tatsuo recognized the stance, he planned to attack it with a serious of magical attacks from that position.

It was several moments of anxiously watching the lights dance through the night before they spotted the shift. The water's surface rippled in an unnatural way. Suddenly a long serpentine head emerged, swallowing a handful of the fireflies in one massive gulp. Its elongated body seemed to come out more and more as it floated above the water it emerged from. It began to float through the air, the eyes on the side of its head looking around for more of a meal.

Tatsuo instantly placed his hands on the two swords in their sheathes. Naoki froze for a moment wide eyed as the ayakashi begin to float casually closer.

“That isn't a snake. That's an eel.” Naoki stated, his shoulders shaking.

“An eel? Never heard of it.” A farmer said, panic in his voice. “You can kill it right?”

Naoki hesitated. He was clearly debating in his mind if he could. “Yes of course, but I need time, I wasn't ready for this. Please everyone get away.” He began to go through his bag again as he stepped out of his circle of talismans.

“What more would you have to do? Is an eel and snake that much different?” The younger farmer asked as his voice shook.

“Extremely different.” Tatsuo said, stepping forward and drawing his wakizashi in his right hand. “Snakes are of the earth element, meaning fire does not have a disadvantage. But an eel is of the water element. Is that right, onmyoji?” He eyed the onmyoji knowingly.

Naoki looked up at Tatsuo with an appraising look. “Correct.” He said plainly.

“Then let me give you the time you need.” Tatsuo said as he started stepping down the dirt road, putting distance between him and the group. Gripping the wakizashi, he pricked his index finger on his left hand. A small drop of crimson blood began to bead at the tip.

The eel ayakashi, which had been slowly drifting towards the group at a cautious pace, suddenly shifted its head directly at Tatsuo. There wasn't an ayakashi out there that could resist Tatsuo’s blood. Weather or not he could defeat this ayakashi alone remained to be seen though.