Demon Shadow (Akuma no Kage)

Chapter 3- What Lies Forgotten

Sometime later, Li and Sachi stood just outside the entrance to the cave mentioned by Ori. Looking into the darkness, both felt a strange sense of unease.

Sachi: Li…

Li: Yeah, I feel it too.

Sachi: What do you think is in there?

Li shook his head, knowing as much as she did.

Li: Wait here.

Sachi: You’re going in alone?

Li: Yeah. I don’t want you to get lost in there, or worse. Gray Fox would never forgive me.

Sachi: But what happens if you don’t come out?

Li: If I don’t come back, go back to the village and find your grandpa.

With that, Li entered the cave. The further he walked, the darker it seemed to become. Not only that, but his sense of unease grew more intense the deeper he ventured. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he became more aware of his surroundings.

He began to notice the remains of animals and demons scattered throughout the cave. The scent of death and decay was almost too much to bear. Still, he pressed on, eventually coming across two tunnels. He could feel a gentle breeze coming from the right. The tunnel to the left sent chills down his spine. Reluctantly, he chose the left tunnel.

As he walked, Li felt that he was getting closer to the source of what was causing him to feel so much unease. He started to wonder how long he’d been in the cave. Minutes? Hours? Suddenly he felt a pressure, but something was off. It was pulsating, while simultaneously slowly fading away.

As he rounded a corner, he saw a body lying against a side of the cave. It was a demon, but it looked old and withered. The pressure Li felt was coming from the body. He approached cautiously, taking one step at a time. Without warning, the emaciated demon grabbed Li by the wrist.

Withered Demon: If you’ve… come for… blade! I-it’s… taken!

He gasps and coughs, his frail body barely clinging onto life. Before he could continue, Li heard a voice echoing through the cave.

Gray Fox: Sachi, get back!

Earlier outside the cave…

Sachi sat under a peach tree near the entrance to the cave tossing a peach up and down. Beside her sat a small pile of peach pits from those she had eaten. She was becoming anxious, growing more and more concerned for Li.

Sachi: I know he said to go find grandpa if he didn’t come back, but…

She tossed the peach again but missed catching it. It hit the ground and began rolling away from her. It rolled and rolled until it disappeared into some bushes. Sachi quickly chased after it. She got stuck for a moment as she crawled through.

Making it through, she looked around, finally spotting the peach off to the left. As she picked it up, she felt as if she was being watched. Before she could ask who was there, she heard a low menacing growl. It was followed by several more growls coming from different directions.

She heard branches and twigs snapping around her. She realized she was surrounded.

?: You’re in the wrong neck of the woods, little fox.

Several large wolves appeared around her, cutting off any chance of escape.

Sachi: (nervously) I didn’t mean to cause any trouble. I was just trying to get my peach back.

The largest of the wolves chuckled.

Pack Leader: See that’s where you’re wrong. That’s our peach. The second you crawled out of that bush you entered our territory.

Sachi: I’ll just be going then…

Pack Leader: Oh no! I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my pack has you surrounded. There’s no going anywhere for you!

Sachi was too afraid to move. She closed her eyes as the wolves began to move in. Suddenly, she felt a strong yet familiar pressure.

Gray Fox: Sachi, get back!

Gray Fox appeared, leaping through the trees in his fox form, landing in front of Sachi. He stood tall, challenging the wolves to make a move. The leader of the pack took a few steps forward then paused. His pack seemed confused as he cautioned them to wait.

Pack Leader: You… You’re an elder? Aren’t you?

Gray Fox: I am. My name is Gray Fox, and you?

Pack Leader: Kensuke, leader of this pack.

Gray Fox studied him closely before he next spoke.

Gray Fox: We simply wish to leave. It was an honest mistake and…

Kensuke: Me and my pack claim this territory as our own. Maybe you weak foxes allow trespassers, but not us! Besides, you can’t really expect me to look weak in front of my pack!

The other wolves began to close in on Gray Fox and Sachi.

Gray Fox: Kensuke… Your father is Shinsuke, leader of the Mayonaka no ōkami pack, correct?

Kensuke flinched at the mention of his father’s name.

Kensuke: Yeah… So what?

Gray Fox changed into his kitsune form. He slowly approached Kensuke while removing something from his kimono.

Gray Fox: You might have noticed your father is missing his right fang. This is that very same fang. He gave it to me as a gift after saving his life.

Kensuke narrowed his eyes, growling ever so slightly.

Kensuke: Even if that were true, what should it matter to me?

Gray Fox: It should matter for two reasons. First, your father was in our territory at the time. I had no obligation to help him, especially under the circumstances.

Gray Fox’s expression became dark and foreboding.

Gray Fox: Which brings us to the second reason. Both your father and your mother were about to be killed by the empress Kyo-Suki. This was after your father and his pack attacked her royal transport.

Kensuke shook as he heard those words.

Gray Fox: It was I who suggested this area be given to your father, so long as his pack didn’t trespass.

Kensuke: (Sulking) So what you’re saying is, I wouldn’t even have a pack to lead if not for you?

Gray Fox nodded as Kensuke chuckled to himself.

Kensuke: To think I’d actually meet the Great Gray Fool!

Gray Fox: Excuse me?

Kensuke: Sorry, it’s just what my father called you. He said only a fool would stand in the way of the empress.

To that, Gray Fox smiled. He extended his hand, offering the fang to Kensuke.

Kensuke: (shaking his head) Keep it, as a symbol of peace between you and my pack. We’ll remember your scents, and you’ll have no trouble the next time you lose a peach.

Everyone laughed, even Sachi who had been silently observing the situation, was too afraid to speak. Both sides parted ways, with Gray Fox and Sachi making their way back to the cave entrance.

Sachi: Please don’t be mad at Li. It’s not his fault, I…

Gray Fox placed his hand on top of her head and smiled.

Gray Fox: I’m not mad at him, or you for that matter. So don’t worry.

Sachi: He said to come get you if he didn’t come out.

Gray Fox: Well, I’m here now. We can share some peaches while we wait.

Back inside the cave…

Hearing Gray Fox’s voice, Li desperately tried to free his wrist. However, despite its fading life the demon’s grip was too strong.

Li: Let go! My friends might be in trouble!

Withered Demon: The sheath… t-take it! You’ll need…

His grip loosened, as the last of his life left his boy. Li saw the sheath to the left of the corpse. Grabbing it, he quickly made his way back through the tunnels hoping he didn’t become lost. He started to smell fresh air and picked up his pace. Racing towards the light, he came crashing to a sudden halt.

Sachi: Ow! Hey watch it… Li!

Gray Fox: Are you two alright?

Sachi and Li both lay on the ground, having collided with each other. After getting up and dusting themselves off, they all shared a small laugh. Gray Fox noticed the sheath Li was carrying.

Gray Fox: That’s a rather odd sheath. Where is the sword that goes with it?

Li scratched his head, wondering the very same thing.

Li: I really don’t know. There was this other demon, he’s the one who gave it to me. He said the sword had been taken or something. It looked like something was wrong with him.

Gray Fox: How so?

Li: I don’t know, he was all shriveled up.

Gray Fox: Hmm, they may have been at the end of their life.

Gray Fox and Sachi filled Li in on what had taken place while he was in the cave. After, they began to head back towards the village. As they walked, Gray Fox’s expression became one of sadness.

Gray Fox: Li, about earlier when I showed you how to harness your energy... I should have taught you things like that sooner.

Li looked at him curiously for a moment as he spoke.

Gray Fox: In all truth, I should have taken you in myself back then. No one else would even so much as glance at you. All because you’re only half demon.

Li: But how would anyone know that?

Gray Fox: At first, no one did. Not even myself. But after you aged three times within the same year, we knew right away. I learned about beings called Humans from a fellow fox clan from the lands west.

Li continued to listen to him, not knowing what to make of it all.

Gray Fox: Compared to us, they don’t live very long, and age rather quickly. Whereas demons live exceedingly long lives and only age every so often, until the aging stops entirely. At that point we stay that age for thousands of years.

Li: So, you’re what? One hundred thousand?

Gray Fox laughed heartily.

Gray Fox: More like fifty thousand four hundred and seventy-eight. You’re closer to Sachi’s age.

Sachi: I’m one thousand and twelve!

Gray Fox: From what I can gather though, you still benefit from our longevity. So don’t worry about looking my age anytime soon.

Li: And here I thought I was just a fast grower.

Gray Fox: Technically you are. Still, I’m sorry I never took the time to teach you many things. At the time, I thought you simply weren’t capable. And then when Sachi’s parents died…

Sachi suddenly gasped, catching both of their attention.

Gray Fox: I’m sorry Sachi, I…

Sachi: No, it’s not that. Can’t you sense that?

Focusing, both Li and Gray Fox began to sense a menacing pressure.

Li: Is…is that coming from the village?

Gray Fox: No, but it seems to be headed in that direction. Come, let’s hurry. Others may need our help!

Without hesitation, they raced off towards the village.

Sometime earlier and somewhere near Chūō-mura…

On a road leading to the village walked two demons, one male and one female. He was dressed in a black and gold robe and carrying a sword with a bejeweled hilt and scabbard. His black hair was hanging loose. She was wearing a gray and sleeveless blue Qipao with a red sash, her shoulder length red hair gleaming in the sun.

?: It’s not much further to the village, my lady. Are you certain this is the path that you wish to follow?

She looked at him, with determined eyes, a smile appearing on her lips.

??: As long as you’ve known me Kenji, have I ever changed my mind on this?

Kenji: No, you haven’t lady Itsuko.

Itsuko: If the information you gathered is true, then the Empress will be there. No guards, save for her general.

Itsuko paused for a moment, looking up to the sun.

Itsuko: Kyo-Suki will fall…

They continued to walk. Moments later, Kenji became aware that they were not alone.

Kenji: We’re being followed, my lady.

Itsuko: I’ve noticed. How many?

Kenji: Four.

Itsuko: Heh! Two for me and two for you. Shall we?

Kenji drew his sword and swung it left as a demon who was hiding in a tree leapt out at him. He landed a few feet ahead of Kenji, turning to face him.

Demon #1: You got lucky! This time… gah!?

As he pointed his right hand towards Kenji, it fell to the ground having been severed from his wrist. He began screaming in pain, clutching his now bleeding stump. Without hesitation, Kenji rushed in and swung his sword three times faster than could be seen.

The demon took a step back, only for his left leg to fall off. He started to fall to the ground, thrusting out his left hand to try and catch himself. It too fell off. As he fell forward, his torso separated from his waist, soaking the ground with his blood.

Demon #2: Why you!

Another demon charged from the left, appearing from behind a tree. Kenji swiftly sidestepped him while delivering an overhead slash. He then sheathed his sword as the demon split into two even halves. He looked over to Itsuko, who was fighting the remaining two demons at once.

One approached from the left, while the other came from behind. She swiftly kicked the one behind her, sending him crashing into the trunk of a tree. The demon on the left had leapt into the air. Noticing this, Itsuko began to fall to her back, revealing a hidden dagger which she threw at him, striking him in the chest.

As she fell, she fired three small cerulean orbs of energy in his direction. Each hit the dagger in succession, driving it further into his chest until it pierced his heart. He was dead before he hit the ground. Before she could pick herself up, Kenji was at her side, hand extended. She took it as he helped her to her feet.

Itsuko: Thanks, Kenji. Where’s the other one?

Kenji: Still by the tree. He’s still alive, I think.

Itsuko: Good. I was hoping that kick didn’t kill him.

They both approached the demon, who was laying against the tree holding his ribs and gasping for air. Itsuko leaned forward and grabbed him by the throat.

Itsuko: I’ll only ask you once, and don’t lie to me. Did Kyo-Suki send you after me?

Demon: …N-no! We were… going to bring you head to her to gain… favor!

She eyed him suspiciously for a moment, before squeezing his throat tighter.

Itsuko: Is that so? Funny. How would you who I was to even begin to think you’d gain her favor by bringing her my head?

Demon: Gah…agh… Th…the foturne…tel...ler!

Her grip tightened even further, causing his neck to snap with a loud cracking sound. Kenji observed the scene with disinterested eyes.

Itsuko: ... Come Kenji, let’s go have our fortunes read!

To that he nodded, and they proceeded towards Chūō-mura.