An Old Memory

The winds howled among the crashing of steel and roars of men stirred on like beasts, blood pooled across the once flowered valley as the cries of agony echoed around the valley's dark walls. A glint of steel and a twist of an arm and another soul found their peace, he squinted as he drew his steel from the lifeless corpse and flicked the drawn blood from it. A grunt as he held himself up with his blade and felt his body scream at him to stop, he could not or it would be his last day. He heard someone call to him, a faint yet familiar voice he tried to hear but all he heard was ringing. A flash of red as he moved his head back as if instinct took over, a glint of steel swiped with crimson flew past his head. He stepped back and countered the next violent swing, his arms aching from the blow as he threw his opponent back. The eyes of his enemy glowing with ferocity and malice, he felt his breath slow and his heart calm. He knew this man, or at least he did. "Toshin." he stated calmly "It is time to end this. I will recover the honour that you lost us and free my family from this."(edited)

The being snarled, the twisted steel of a once manmade mask curling into a fanged face of rage, the blood of the Oni was strong within this form. He lowered his head, he knew his grandfather was gone but still it pained him to have to fight with him. The Oni took the chance and lashed out as his head was lowered. (Blood....? Where...? I was not struck...?) he thought as crimson caked his armour, he looked up and felt a pain through his chest, a woman was before him. Her arm fell to her side as she fell in the snow, a vicious cut straight through her side. "No....grandfather...why..please!!" Another flash of steel, he felt his weight go as he flew backwards. The world dimmed as he laid there, breathing slowly as he felt his heart slow. He had lost more than he could ever wish and as he lay there unable to move he heard the screams of his family before it all went black.