A Samurai's Journey
The pastel colored leaves fall weightlessly in the amber sun, as it sets over our world. I travel, back and forth, my swords sheathed, my guard up, as I continue my journey. My journey to find who I am, and why I am pursued. Only my name remains, the rest of me is taken, like the sun from the darkness each night. I am Kisuke.
My tale is one of wonder and amazement, one that the artists will remember for it’s color and it’s style. My tale is of the Demon Blade, Muramasa. It was innocent enough, after battling ninjas intended to strike me down, a Kitsune named Yuzuruha entrusted me to find what I have desired most, the great Muramasa sword. It is a simple quest, one that I am not alone in, however, as another, a lady samurai named Momohime, also desires the blade in her own story, one involving possession by the dead. This powerful entity is held by the deity known as Kuzuryu, who is influencing the wicked Shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa and spreading evil across the majestic landscape of Japan.
It is strange to think the stories of myth be true. Savage Oni roam the lands, possessed samurai challenge all who traverse the landscape, and monstrous spirits spew fire and dark magic at the unprepared travelers. It is a land bathed in chaos, all due to the gripping power of the evil Kuzuryu. There are larger challenges than these spirits, ones the size of mountains or as powerful as twenty warriors. These threats all in my path, these threats all vanquished by my swords.
Thankfully, my equipment is well placed. Carrying three swords of varying strength helps. These crafted katanas give me the edge in combat, performing a combination of moves that are second nature to me. Enemies can be defeated with a flick of my wrist, their spirit extinguished with the flash of my blade. But even my katanas are vulnerable, breaking is common, and a broken sword leaves me defenseless. It is good that I can craft new, powerful swords with the collected energy of my fallen foes, as it just adds to my strength in battle.
My sword is my spirit, my strength comes from it, be it a simple slash, or a magical attack. Using the correct combination on the correct foe takes practice, patience, and speed. Good virtues in a land such as this, where majestic beauty is juxtaposed against harsh violence. It is sometimes hard, travelling back and forth with no real direction at times. It is also hindered by the evil magic that Kuzuryu wields, creating barriers to new landscapes that prevent me from progressing, until I find or create a new sword to combat this magic. As tedious as my quest, it is all worth it in the end, not even for my own selfish ambitions, but for this beautiful land I call home.
From the treetops to the city lights, the land of Japan is truly the creation of the gods. The world is colorful, from the crashing waves of the sea to the choking rays of the sun in the forests, the dampness of the caves to the shadows of the alleys. It was as if the masters of watercolor painted the world, bring it vibrancy that is unmatched anywhere else, a sense of art that exists around us all. The world is breathtaking in a way that even makes one as jaded as me stop in awe. And as foul as these demons are, they will never destroy the beauty of this world.
Even the ambiance of Japan can be added to. My clashes with swords make a crescendo of music to natures ears. In my head, I hear the komabue and shamisen in my mind, bringing a sense of comfort to my mind as I travel the land and combat the darkness. I am never alone. A poet I may not be, but these words describe my journey well.
I could only hope that I can continue to look upon this amber sky, day in and out, as the grip of autumn sets upon the world. As my journey continues to one end; be it uncovering the Demon Blade for myself, and restoring this beautiful land to true glory, or by failing, flashing before me as the gentle wind howls between the reeds as my eyes close, and giving myself to the spirits. It would truly be a worthy journey, one that others may try, and one that would be memorable.
Final Score- A-
