Post by simon on May 25, 2007 22:01:29 GMT -5
Kyoto, Japan.
Simon sits alone in what looks like a temple. It's old and barely even standing. He knows not of what this place once served, just that in his travels, whenever he was in Japan, he would always come to this sacred place to meditate. It was so far off the beaten path, that chances were only those who lived in the small village to the south even knew it existed. It was sanctuary. As he meditates, a feint voice creeps up behind him. One that was very familiar.
Why must you choose to fight him, Simon...
What choice do I have but not to. He won't stop until he's had his Kumate' with me. And even then, If I were to beat him he'd only crawl back under his rock, and resurface later. He's the final peice to the puzzle. Beating him will seal the fate of what I once was.
Genchiyo Nayomasa. She was a beautiful woman. Her radiance illuminated all she came across. Years ago, they called each other lovers. Before Simon traveled to China and was cursed by the helm of Shen Yuan. He'd only seen her two times since then. The last time, he was joined by his "Disciples". One of which was Archer.
So that's it. A fight to the death. Is that the only way to solve this? All I sense in you is emptiness. An emptiness only filled by combat. The path you walk now is yours. This I know. But that does not stop me from disagreeing with your choice. To fight him is to fight everything that you once were. His very existence now is to either kill or BE killed by you. And if you do take Archer's life, what then? Will his death be any different then the deaths of all the others slain by your fists?
A sigh of regret releases from his lungs. He'd lost count how many there were. But he still could recall the euphoric feeling he felt when another opponent was defeated. It made him guilty now. How in years past, when he was consumed by The Darkness he could destroy a life without even a second thought. Regret soon became disgust as he answered her.
I know what you're trying to do, Genchiyo. And it won't work. If I leave him unchecked, he'll only become exactly what I was. His eyes are already as black as coal. He's already given his soul to it. Now all that's left is for him is to quench it's thirst with the blood of the one soul who was strong enough to renounce it. And I'll be damned if I give him the chance without a fight.
She moves forward towards him. His back is to her, but he can feel her movement. She kneels down beside him and rests her head on his shoulder.
Why didn't you kill me as your father ordered. Why even let me live after that day?
Because I loved you, Simon. I still do to this day. My father knew what you had become. And he knew that I was the only amongst the clan that you would allow to even get close enough. But I couldn't. I knew that deep within your soul, a piece of your mortal self still beat. To destroy the beast you were meant to destroy the man you are right now. I know now that I made the right decision.[/font]
Did you?
Simon's empty question leaves her with a slight feeling of resentment. But it fades quickly. Simon rises to his feet. His eyes still firm locked on the massive Buddha statue in front of them.
I live my life now solely to atone for those years. 11 years that I wreaked total havok upon this world. It's not my right to as god's forgiveness. But it's my choice to at least fight hell's stench off of my soul. Archer is a beast of my own creation. It's my duty to be the one to bring forth his end. Surely you of all people can understand that.
She stands beside him.
I know. I just wish there were another way.
Simon grabs his jacket, and gives her gentle kiss on the lips.
Perhaps in another lifetime, Genchiyo.
Simon bids her farewell and walks down the long, winding staircase that lead to the temple. Genchiyo speaks from afar.
Be safe, Simon.
Simon pauses. He smiles knowing that this would probably be the last time he would gaze at her magnificent beauty. Daughter of one of the three greatest Samurai of this era. Princess to a secret society of warriors. He turns to look at her one final time.
With Bishemonten** watching over me. I'll always be. Sayonara, Genchiyo.
With those words, he turns and continues on. He'd made his choice. To fight Archer. To face him in the combat he so eagerly wanted. Now it was only a matter of finding him...
END
**In Japan, Bishamonten, or just Bishamon is an armor-clad god of warfare or warriors and a punisher of evildoers. Bishamon is portrayed holding a spear in one hand and a small pagoda in the other hand, the latter symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. In Shintō beliefs, he is one of the Japanese Seven Gods of Fortune.
Simon sits alone in what looks like a temple. It's old and barely even standing. He knows not of what this place once served, just that in his travels, whenever he was in Japan, he would always come to this sacred place to meditate. It was so far off the beaten path, that chances were only those who lived in the small village to the south even knew it existed. It was sanctuary. As he meditates, a feint voice creeps up behind him. One that was very familiar.
Why must you choose to fight him, Simon...
What choice do I have but not to. He won't stop until he's had his Kumate' with me. And even then, If I were to beat him he'd only crawl back under his rock, and resurface later. He's the final peice to the puzzle. Beating him will seal the fate of what I once was.
Genchiyo Nayomasa. She was a beautiful woman. Her radiance illuminated all she came across. Years ago, they called each other lovers. Before Simon traveled to China and was cursed by the helm of Shen Yuan. He'd only seen her two times since then. The last time, he was joined by his "Disciples". One of which was Archer.
So that's it. A fight to the death. Is that the only way to solve this? All I sense in you is emptiness. An emptiness only filled by combat. The path you walk now is yours. This I know. But that does not stop me from disagreeing with your choice. To fight him is to fight everything that you once were. His very existence now is to either kill or BE killed by you. And if you do take Archer's life, what then? Will his death be any different then the deaths of all the others slain by your fists?
A sigh of regret releases from his lungs. He'd lost count how many there were. But he still could recall the euphoric feeling he felt when another opponent was defeated. It made him guilty now. How in years past, when he was consumed by The Darkness he could destroy a life without even a second thought. Regret soon became disgust as he answered her.
I know what you're trying to do, Genchiyo. And it won't work. If I leave him unchecked, he'll only become exactly what I was. His eyes are already as black as coal. He's already given his soul to it. Now all that's left is for him is to quench it's thirst with the blood of the one soul who was strong enough to renounce it. And I'll be damned if I give him the chance without a fight.
She moves forward towards him. His back is to her, but he can feel her movement. She kneels down beside him and rests her head on his shoulder.
Why didn't you kill me as your father ordered. Why even let me live after that day?
Because I loved you, Simon. I still do to this day. My father knew what you had become. And he knew that I was the only amongst the clan that you would allow to even get close enough. But I couldn't. I knew that deep within your soul, a piece of your mortal self still beat. To destroy the beast you were meant to destroy the man you are right now. I know now that I made the right decision.[/font]
Did you?
Simon's empty question leaves her with a slight feeling of resentment. But it fades quickly. Simon rises to his feet. His eyes still firm locked on the massive Buddha statue in front of them.
I live my life now solely to atone for those years. 11 years that I wreaked total havok upon this world. It's not my right to as god's forgiveness. But it's my choice to at least fight hell's stench off of my soul. Archer is a beast of my own creation. It's my duty to be the one to bring forth his end. Surely you of all people can understand that.
She stands beside him.
I know. I just wish there were another way.
Simon grabs his jacket, and gives her gentle kiss on the lips.
Perhaps in another lifetime, Genchiyo.
Simon bids her farewell and walks down the long, winding staircase that lead to the temple. Genchiyo speaks from afar.
Be safe, Simon.
Simon pauses. He smiles knowing that this would probably be the last time he would gaze at her magnificent beauty. Daughter of one of the three greatest Samurai of this era. Princess to a secret society of warriors. He turns to look at her one final time.
With Bishemonten** watching over me. I'll always be. Sayonara, Genchiyo.
With those words, he turns and continues on. He'd made his choice. To fight Archer. To face him in the combat he so eagerly wanted. Now it was only a matter of finding him...
END
**In Japan, Bishamonten, or just Bishamon is an armor-clad god of warfare or warriors and a punisher of evildoers. Bishamon is portrayed holding a spear in one hand and a small pagoda in the other hand, the latter symbolizing the divine treasure house, whose contents he both guards and gives away. In Shintō beliefs, he is one of the Japanese Seven Gods of Fortune.