Children of Izanagi Chapter 6

*Ken’s POV*

I just stayed propped against the door while the others talked. Kasumi had decided to join them in fighting the shadows. Something bugged me though. Most people didn’t know the castle existed but me. For years it sat there doing nothing. Then suddenly Yami, Koharu, and Kasumi can see it and they all decide to go in. What about that place was drawing them towards it? I needed to find out. So while they were busy talking I quickly walked out of the house and took off running to the castle, gripping the handle of my sword just in case.

I got to the castle and looked around. All seemed quiet. So I walked inside. It all seemed quiet for the moment. Still I knew it wouldn’t be so for long. Koharu and her friends would show up to follow me I was sure of it. So I quickly closed the doors and formed a barrier to keep them out, for their own safety. I was not a fan of being around humans all that much anyway. Then I turned and walked deeper into the castle.

“Why did this place suddenly show itself? There must be an explanation. Why did this place show itself to them?” I asked myself.

As I was exploring I found a staircase. I started walking up when I heard a voice.

“They see you as a freak. A mongrel. You were never meant to walk amongst the humans. But if you come to the top, you can gain power. Power to make them see why they shouldn’t mess with you. To make them understand how you feel. You don’t need anyone you just need more power.” The voice said.

I raised an eyebrow and started walking up the staircase. Shadows came swarming out and headed right for me. I quickly drew my sword. At first it seemed like a simple broad sword. Then with a flick of the wrist the blade detached into segments connected by a chain. I swung the blade and it went flying through several shadows as the segments cut through several of them. I pulled back and the segments attached to the handle, forming my sword again. I lunged forward and shot the segments forward, stabbing multiple shadows. Then I jumped up and swung my sword again, ripping through several more as I whipped through their masks. I landed back on the ground and reformed my sword before placing it back in its sheath. I continued my walk up the stairs as the shadows dissolved into nothingness. As I walked up the voice kept persisting. Going on about power and such.

I looked and saw a door off to the side. I walked inside out of curiosity and saw something that surprised me. A picture of the god Izanagi in battle. I wondered why when I remembered something. An old story my mom told me years ago. The legend about how Izanagi sealed Izanami away and she threatened to kill hundreds of his children all the time and he promised to bring thousands more into existence. That’s when I realized it.

“Holy shit. They’re HIS children. This is his castle. But why is it full of shadows? Has Izanami corrupted it somehow? I need to see if those humans know anything.” I said to myself.

I took off running out of the castle and started heading back to the village.

*Yami’s POV*

Kasumi’s brother Hisoka had shown up when we tried to get Ken out of the castle and so now we were heading back to the village, with Hisoka keeping an eye on us to make sure we didn’t try to run for it. We were all worried about Ken though. He’d gone into the castle and blocked us out. All we could do was hope he survived.

“Hey wait up!” Someone shouted.

We turned to look and see Ken running towards us.

“Wait how’d he catch up so quickly?” Koharu asked.

“Hey at least he’s alive.” Kasumi said.

He ran over to us and stopped.

“I figured something out about the castle. But I need to know if-”

“Get away from my sister.” Hisoka said.

“This is important. Who are you?” Ken asked.

“None of your business. Now go away demon.” Hisoka said.

I turned to look at Ken. He had white hair and slitted red eyes. He always said it was albinism but Hisoka called him a demon. Was there something Hisoka could see that we couldn’t? That’s when I realized Ken froze at the mention of demon. I think Hisoka hit a nerve.

“I’m sorry do you want to repeat what you just said?” Ken asked.

“I said go away you damned dirty demonic freak.” Hisoka said.

Ken was silent, you could see anger raging in his eyes. Then he punched Hisoka into a tree.

“Shut your trap!” Ken snarled angrily.

Hisoka got up and tackled Ken to the ground. They started fighting each other. Hisoka suddenly got the upper hand when he shoved Ken into a wall. He reared back to hit him in the face when Ken suddenly jumped slammed his feet into Hisoka’s chest. Shoving him off then flipped and landed on his hands.

“Nice try.” Ken said.

He quickly got back on his feet and rammed his shoulder into Hisoka’s chest, shoving him into the tree again. Hisoka brought his elbow down into Ken’s back, knocking him down to his knees. He got ready to slam his fist into Ken’s head when Ken rolled backwards to dodge. He grabbed his sword and that’s when I saw it in his eyes. Ken’s intent to kill. He was out of control and I think the others saw it too. Kasumi and Koharu moved to block them from fighting anymore. Kasumi moved in front of Hisoka.

“Hissy stop it! There’s no point in fighting!” Kasumi said.

“Ken knock it off! You don’t need to kill him.” Koharu said.

Ken closed his eyes and got up, pulling his hand away from his sword.

“Fine.” Ken said.

We watched him walk off into the village. The people avoided him as if they were afraid and I heard him muttering what sounded like “Damned humans” under his breath. We turned to look at Hisoka who was glaring after Ken.

“Damned hanyou.” He said.

“Hanyou? Wait Ken’s a half demon?” I asked.

We all looked at Hisoka like what on earth is going on.

*Ken’s POV*

I walked through the village as people moved to get away from me. The same as every other place I went. Everyone was afraid of the hanyou. The half demon who was always angry. Though if you had been harassed by humans every day of your life you’d feel the same anger towards them as they do towards you. And I was unfortunately, all too used to it. I walked into my house. An old abandoned shack that no one else wanted so I used it as my home. I sat down, wondering about the castle when I loked up and saw someone walk in.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“I am merely a fortune teller of sorts.” She said.

“I’ve never believed in that junk. Get out.” I said.

“You’re almost as interesting as the boy of the Death Arcana.” She said.

I raised an eyebrow in question.

“I’m sorry?” I asked.

“You are of the Devil Arcana. You may not realize it yet but,” The lady held up a few tarot cards and flipped them over. One was The Devil, one was Death, one was Fool, and one was Empress. “Your fate is woven and intertwined with theirs.” She said.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“All will be revealed in time. Rest for now Ken.” She said. “For soon you will be called to join the battle.” She said.

I watched her walk out and I simply looked at the card she dropped on the ground. It was the Devil. My supposed arcana. I looked at it wondering one thing. “What the hell was she on about?”