Tale of a Mercenary

The Warmonger

Blackness consumed the room; in fact it consumed the entire castle. This was no place for anyone tied to the Allied Races facing against the Beastmen Confederate, but the Shadow Lord’s castle, Castle Zvahl, was constructed in darkness as the snowy wasteland surrounded it making it a formidable fortress as the unforgiving frost bite at any exposed flesh. On this day Hideo Wiriamuz, the self-proclaimed Demon of the East, was dragged through the hallways. He attempted to open his eyes but everything ached and the bitter cold of the northern wasteland almost froze his blood solid. The vision became more clear as his body was dragged closer, the dark talons that pulled his near lifeless body through the darken halls were Demons, more importantly Kindreds. Hideo felt as his body was hurled onto the floor. As he crash to floor he rolled to his side and attempted to get back up but his body ached but he fought through the pain and he attempted to push himself up. He fell to the ground once more and remained there almost motionless. His armor and weapon were gone; he wore hardly anything as his bare skin was bitten by the cold bitter frost. His exposed chest showed signs of freshly made scars as well some old ones, he had lost all track of time as his body showed sign of abuse and near lifelessness. Pushing himself off the ground he turned and look to see where he was, he was locked away within a cell. Standing behind the bars with a perplexed expression he questioned why the Beastmen Confederate spared his life and locked him within the darkness that is the Shadow Lord’s dungeon, where he could hear the screams and torment of not only Beastmen but of other what they called Allied Races. He crawled on the floor as he rested against a wall, above him was a tiny window leading out to another room where those who pass by would view into his room. All alone his face showed panic but quickly turn into true fear as he finally realized where he was and what was happening to him. The fear that had overtaken him was not a fear of death, but was the fear of dying within this cell. This was not a place for a warrior to end his life. Everything that he strived for in the east, striking fear into the hearts of his enemy had went up in flames as he fell in and out of conscience. His life was draining from his body, death inches away he was not the Demon of the East here in this dark place he was just the scared little boy who haunted his dreams in the past.

Hideo had awoken to find himself in Serpentking Square, it appeared he had dozed off. His mind had wandered into the past, back into the darken cell of Castle Zvahl. His time there was filled with horrors, every race dwelled deep within those cells, randomly dragged out to be interrogated or tortured for no reason but amusement. It was a sick and twisted place and somehow Hideo had found himself. Was this the Underworld for the wicked men and women? Or were everyone within this dungeon just simply prisoners of war. Hideo’s life was involved with fighting in battles and being a warrior, he was a warmonger seeking battle so he could die as a warrior, but locked within the Shadow Lord’s castle Hideo would not achieve his end he dreamed of.

He took off his helm and placed it beside him as he rubbed his eyes and then brushed his hair back. As he stroked his beard he noticed a woman walking towards him. Looking up he noticed his daughter, she stopped in front of him.

“Look who it is, so what are you up to?” Hideo spoke moved his hand away from his chin, “up to some plot to overthrow the Empire?”

“No. I was just coming back from the Chocobo Circuit.”

“Win?”

“No.”

“That’s a shame, guess you didn’t inherent your mother’s endless supply of luck.”

“No I guess…I inherited your stubbornness.”

“Don’t worry kid; it’ll save you down the road. Besides you’re a true Nakuaro. Born from war, my father was born from war… I was… my son was, and you as well. My old man was a Samurai of the Far East; he was born during the conflict between near and far. My mother gave birth to me in the middle of battle when the enemy forces stormed through our land. Your half brother was born during the Crystal War and you were born during a Beastmen siege. So you truly are of my blood. Just there is one difference, you aren’t a warmonger. You do not view life as a warrior; I do not say this because you are female and are not capable of it. No, that is not what I am saying, but you view it differently than I. Perhaps it is due to your mother or those who raised you into the fine woman you are. You are me and are not. You got the best traits and none of the negative ones.”

“You aren’t a warmonger, you are a heroic soldier defending your home.”

“You naïve little girl, still living within your own little world, no I am not a heroic soldier. I know who I am, I am an evil man. I’ve tried to run from it for a long time, trying to find purpose in my life…but there is none. I do things my way, with a glee in my eye as I tear through their ranks and butcher their finest. I am a warrior with my own definition of Bushido, my own version of honor. My honor comes from fighting tougher adversaries and fighting with every last breath I have. In reality I am more barbarian than a Samurai. That is why I am a Ronin, I have no real honor and I have made peace with that. I live life without remorse or regret, yet even when I say that…I’m a hypocrite. I regret what I have done to Ryu as well as your mother. I wish I never trained Ryu and pushed my son so far and I wish I stayed at Tira’s side and never left for the west. Perhaps you would have had a better life, but no matter. What is done is done, and I can not change that nor want to. The dead are dead, time to move on. Listen girlie, I am heading to Jeuno in the morning. I and another will be going to fight and make an example out of some fools, if you wish to speak to me…then wait for my return to the east.” Hideo rose to his feet as he padded his daughter on the shoulder. “You should smile more.”

Hideo turned away and started walking to the Mog House. As he entered the room he quickly took his equipment off, setting each piece in a corner of his room. He prepared himself for bed as he was unusually tired. Now pare he lowered his Great Katana beside his bed, ready to strike at nightfall. Hideo slipped under the covers and laid back as he looked up at the ceiling as tiredness took over.

“I don’t want to die here… I know I have cursed you before… for what you’ve done to me, allowing everything to be taken from me… you divine figures owe me! Please! I beg of you, do not allow me to end here, this is not a warrior’s end! I don’t want to die, not here!” An eastern Hume pleaded with the heavens within his dark cell. He was pleading, begging towards anyone who was listening, he did not care which deity it was. Hideo Wiriamuzu, a man who they called a demon or a hungry wolf in human flesh, a man who tore into his adversaries with a grin on his face, a man who was born from war and was raised by the blade. He was now on his knees crying out for help. He use to vow vengeance on the world, he would bleed the world dry for what happen to him. He would wage war on anyone and everyone. He was a warmonger.

"In ages past, I oft journeyed the boundless æthyr to pay visit this emerald isle." A voice echoed into the blackness of the cell, Hideo looked around but saw no figure. "And tonight, the light of the Einherjar hath guided me hither once again..."

“Am I going crazy?”

"Dost thou know not of legends of where one serves?”

“It can’t be…it is not possible, the Dark Rider is but a fable!”

"Dost thou possess; the will to withstand the battle cries of mine loyal warrior, the courage to withstand an onslaught of the winds of Asgarth, the strength to withstand a blow from Asgarth steel!?"

“I am a warrior…but this is no place for a warrior to end! But yes, I have the will, the courage, and the strength to go against Asgarth! I know all about you, but I thought you were of fiction…forgive me oh merciful Odin! I beg of you…give me the strength to live through this and allow me to die a warrior’s death!”

“Thou heart filled with the corruption of rage, vengeance towards the realm of Men.”

“Yes. I want to bleed the world dry for has happen to me! I have lost everything! Oh merciful Odin, you I have emulated and your agents of the Underworld. Demon of the East, how can I accomplish my task if I die here… as the Dark Rider approaches, even the mightiest of adventurers feels his stomach churn and fear take his body. I never once thought you were real… I beg of you…save my pathetic soul from such hells!”

“I shall grant thou his wishes. Thou shall become a loyal servant…if thou fails me… thy soul shall bestrewn across the plains of Valhalla!"

“I will! I will sell my soul to you of merciful Odin! I will become your faithful servant and do what you ask of me here in this realm! When I finally find my grave, my soul shall be yours to do what you please. I will not fight my judgment at all…”

“But as long as thine heart yet festereth with the corruption of rage, I shalt ne'er perish!"

“I will do as you please…”

“Thine shalt fight eternally in honour towards thee.”

“I shall not fail you my master!”

"Farewell, Einherjar!"

The voice vanished as Hideo once more found himself alone in the darkness of his cell. As the Hume turned the doors to his cell opened and two demonic beasts came in grabbing him as they dragged him out of his cell and down the hallway.

“So who is this Hume?” A tainted and dark voice spoke, the voice sent volumes as it spoke, it echoed in his ear.

“He wandered near our camp, after we attacked one of the allied forces camp. A small scout team ambushed him and brought him here, was drunk so was quite easy to subdue. We have interrogated him for days now and nothing out of him…perhaps if you were to speak with him?” Another tainted voice spoke, more cowardly than the loud voice.

“You, Hume, speak! What is your name?” The voiced echoed into his ear, as he could fill his blood dripping from his wounds, his body ached.

“Name’s Hideo Wiriamuzu…mercenary from the Far East. Now you know me, now you won’t forget me.” Hideo chuckled but stop as his bodied ached with his laughter. His ribs hurt as well as everything else. “Need a hired swordsman?”

“So a foreigner? Are your people sending aid to the allied forces?”

“Doubt it, hell…they most likely don’t even know that a war going on over here. So you are in luck…my sinister friend.”

“If you wish to live…you keep your mouth shut, and only speak when spoken to. So a hired swordsman? Well, the Shadow Lord has a position for you. Join the Orcs, and attack Tavnazia, and you will be rewarded with your life.”

“Hey, I accept. As long as you guys cut back on the beatings. Guy needs to rest.” Hideo spoke as he received a powerful blow to the stomach. Taking off the blindfold he had on as well as releasing him from the dark dungeon, he turned to the two voices. One was a Floating Eye and the other was an Kindred. Hideo cracked a smile.

“So can I go? Guess I’m drafted…” The Hume was let go as he looked around into a large room, the two figures at his side were Kindred, nasty black armored beasts. He scanned again and noticed the third voice it was an Ahriman, one of the floating eyes. He noticed the eye speak to another blackened creature. The next image he saw was a red hot iron. His joking expression and crazed state changed. His face turn ghost white as he saw the red hot iron drew closer, the next image he saw was the red hot iron kissing his chest, above his heart, Hideo screamed out in pain as he was being branded.

Awaking in a deep sweat, Hideo looked around as he sat up. He rubbed his hand down his chest finding a mark. He looked down and saw a Beastmen symbol branded on his chest above his heart. The Beastmen Confederate had branded him before they released him. The scar, the eye, and this branding were his mark of Aku. A reminder of his sin of his past, but something more troubled him. The Dark Rider…Odin himself, did he imagine that conversation or did he in fact spoke to the fabled Dark Rider. Hideo had never seen the figure roaming about on his warhorse, but heard the fables and the rumors.

The Dark Rider is a fearful knight that's part of a legend around here. They say that the underworld is his battleground, where he fights for all eternity... The rumor going round is that this knight from the legend is supposed to show up somewhere in the Empire.

They say he rides a warhorse bigger than a marid...

And he obliterated a group of Mamool Ja with a single slash of his spear...

Hideo remembered the rumors but did he in fact make a pact with the Dark Rider himself, he had thought he was going insane in the darkness. He got up from the bed as he stood there in the nude he thought about it. Valhalla… was that where he would go when he died? Hideo was a warrior but was he worthy enough of Valhalla if it did exist in the underworld. Getting dressed Hideo decided to push the thought aside as he had one more day till him and Jayden strike. The thought of the Dark Rider brought other thoughts into his head; he remembered a conversation he had with the Mithra Mimicker in the Near East.

“Personally, I like the one field report that described ya before ya deserted. "The man tore into the ranks as if he was possessed by death incarnate, if he was mounted I would've almost mistaken him as the Dark Rider of old legends."

“ The reports for your desertion were massively varied. Hell, one said quote, "He was called back to the be the new Harbinger of Destruction, to bring forth Ragnarok in the coming days."

“Heh, don't be so certain, you're slowly impressing the troops again. Even one of my Immortals brought a story back about ya. "Did you see him? The new recruit. He jumped into the fray like the Stoneserpent General cleaing Lizards in a single strike. I almost believed he was a monster until I saw his blood drenched face."

As he lounged around Jeuno he encountered a few people he knew from the group. After talking to them somewhat about his plans they were suggested into a Brenner fight. The playful spar gave Hideo the chance to get his mind on his own issues that have grown more and more present. Even during a playful spar, Hideo’s mind turn towards battle as he grew more focus; however, the fight changed pace as Zyth and he decided to face one another. Hideo wanted to see Zyth bring everything he had, telling him to use every advantage he could get in battle and throw everything at him. Hideo had fell to the ground numerous times but each time a large grew on his face as he truly saw potential that the Elvaan Samurai possessed.

Hideo was proud that there were still true Samurai left in the world, those practicing the same techniques that his father and fore father possessed. Zyth was Ryu’s so called student, because Ryu was not a real mentor. The eastern Hume had always wanted to do more but he found that he could not teach anyone of honor and Bushido for him having none. Hideo saw a great warrior in the Elvaan, he fought the same as Hideo just under difference principles. Hideo lay in the sand, as he laughed with his defeat, he was happy to know that in a place as weak physically that is Windurst and within the Middle Lands, there was a true Samurai following the way of Bushido. Hideo was proud of his son for aiding this warrior and giving him the basics to become something greater, this was one of the things Hideo enjoyed, those with the fire to become something greater.

As the Brenner battle was over, Hideo returned to Jeuno as he rested against the wall of the Temple of the Goddess. He chewed on a toothpick as he stared up at the stares. His mind was racing with ideas and thoughts. Did he really hear the voice of Odin or was it just an imagination? How could he forget such a thing as that? His mind wandered as he questioned everything he knew. The Demon of the East, was he a pawn of the Dark Rider? Did he sell his soul to the Dark Divinity of the Underworld? He pushed himself forward and started to wander around Jeuno, passing by all sorts of people going about their day to day activities. His mind plunged into the past trying to remember what happen to him. He remembered that he was in the northern lands on an expiation with some daredevil explores, it was during the start of the Crystal War and within the night he was celebrating and was flanked by a scout party of Demons.

Hideo fought them off allowing the explorers to flee in the end Hideo fell to the snowy floor and then awoken into the sinister castle. Shaking his head he decided he’ll sleep on it and wait for Jayden to arrive in the morning so they can go out and begin their attack. He headed back to his Mog House and call it a night. For him the past would revisit him once more. His mind ventured back to the time he returned to the Shadow Lord’s castle, this time fighting with a Samurai at the entrance of the sinister castle. Hajimoto Ryu and Hideo fought as their eastern steels clashed, in the end as the Kindred began to rise from the dark depths, Hideo allowed Hajimoto to flee as he fought the dark beasts alone. His body collapsed to the floor as he attempted to warp out of there, the warp scroll had failed, and once more he was dragged deep into the castle.

The shadowy halls of Castle Zvahl moved passed the eastern Hume as two nightmarish beasts dragged him somewhere. His warp scroll had failed and he was doomed to remain here, possibly to end back where he had once before. This time as he looked around he was being lead to the Throne Room, to where the cruel and sinister leader of the Confederate army waited, the Shadow Lord. The loud sound of laughter and clapping echoed the room, Hideo in a hopeless and lost state looked up to see the leader of the demons he applauding him.

“I applaud you warrior, you have done well at surviving during this age of strife. You have lost your warrior spirit, your pride. All I see is a Hume wanting to die…that is why you have come here.”

“I don’t want to die…”

“What is that? Then why have you foolishly come here? I see… you’ve lost your way and do not know how to continue.”

“I have lost everything! I am a deserter! Kill me, kill me!”

The Shadow Lord laughed as his face showed un-interests towards the Hume before him shaking in anger.

“Kill you? No, I shall release you from this castle and allow you pardon until you reach the Allied Forces. You are a warmonger, you thirst for battle… you are quiet easy to read Hume. I can see it in your eyes; vengeance and rage burns deep within your soul.”

Hideo tried to charge at him but the winged beast knocked him to the ground, he hit the floor hard and laid there.

“You have served in my army; I will reward you with your life…for now. Remember Hume, you are mortal…and you can die at any moment. You should cherish your life.”

His near lifeless body was dragged out of castle as he was tossed into the white snowy surface. His pride was crushed, his honor broken as death was denied him. He vowed to return to this castle and help win this war in the favor of the Allied Forces.

Hideo got up to and looked around; as he rolled over he grabbed a bottle at a nearby table. Opening up, he began drinking from it. He had deserted the east and arrived into the Middle Lands where he waged war on all fronts, serving as a freelance sword. As he drank his hand trembled as he thought about what Jera had said to him.

“No mater what… Takeshi Nakauro… is always haunts me. That child, that frighten little child always reflects back to me…I’ve taken the life of my son, taking his head to allow him to die with honor…tossed aside my daughter…”

“Do you know what that means Hideo?”

“Tell me, what does that mean?”

“It means that under the monster... there is a man. A hurt man... who needs forgiveness from himself, not death.”

“I was once a man of honor... but my desertion from the Near East, as well as my desertion in the battle of Tavnazia... is where my honor died.”

“I... was never taught to feel regret Hideo... You have that. You had honor once, still do, it's just so buried under layers of bloodshed. It's still there, don't lose it. You do not want to be like me...”

Some what she said was right but he was like her. As Hideo looked back he had no true remorse, only selfish wants. Only thing he regretted was hurting those who he had loved, he had no remorse for killing others just hurting those who were close to him, a hypocrite. He did not want forgiveness; a true warrior does not seek redemption. Hideo tossed his bottle to the wall, letting its smash into pieces.

“I am no longer a warrior, just a broken man hiding under masks to keep others away. I feel nothing. The raging fire I once had...is gone. I am no longer a warrior... No...There’s no honor left. Hideo Wiriamuzu...or Takeshi Nakauro are old killers without any honor or humanity left.”

“If there wasn't... you would not still be haunted, it would not still be in your mind.”

“No...I have let myself down...I have become weak...become pathetic. I vowed to myself, to my family...I cursed the heavens vowing... to never become weak and pathetic and be that frighten boy again...”

She pushed him against the wall roughly, as she her eyes peered into his soul.

“You are both... Takeshi you will always be both.”

“No... I refuse to be weak and pathetic... but too far gone to do anything. My daughter views me as a hero... I wonder what Ryu is thinking of me now...”

“Both the boy and the man are fighting, that is why you’re haunted, because you need to balance the weaknesses and strengths of both!”

“Do... not become like me you fool... I refuse to see anyone be like this...”

Hideo had rose from his depressed state and fought until he found himself, tossing away the weakness that lingered, that dwelled in him. His pride and vanity had caused him to fall, his thirst to perfect his swordsmanship had lead him to hell and back. He lost his honor and any form of humanity. The boy had made a promise to the heavens and to his family, to never become weak and lost his way.

“I’ve lost everything. But I shall rise like the phoenix, never again will I be weak, never again will I be paralyzed by fear! Others will fear me…and not even a god will be able to stand against my blade. No one will ever extinguish this passion, this desire that burns deep in my heart! I’ll show the world, I’ll become a devil if I have to…for I shall never again be a weak and helpless fool! I will fear no one! No man, no beast, no monster! I will be great…I’ll show the world; nothing will stand in my way. I promise.”

He remembered his vow he took underneath the burn hot summer skies, he’d become a demon to ensure that no opponent would cause him to tower over in fear; he vowed vengeance upon the world. No war, no battle could shake him. He wanted to bleed the world dry and crush those who stood against him, it finally hit him. This was the reason why he was a warmonger, this was why he was spared by the Shadow Lord, and it was the reason why Odin himself granted him his wish. He was a warrior. The drinking, the hedonistic ways have dilated his passion. His love and family weakened him. He needed to balance himself but always continue to push forward. Valhalla awaited him; he must end a warrior’s end.

He grinned as he thought about Jayden and their plan to strike out against the Militia; he would show the Dark Rider himself how dedicated he was to their pact.

Once done with dressing, he was ready to go out and meet Jayden in the Tenshodo and prepare for their attack. He left the Mog House and made his way to the Inn in Lower Jeuno, walking pass the counter he made his way to the backdoor and entered Tenshodo. This was a place where he belonged, shady men and women of all walks of life. Seeing old faces, he decided to speak with Aldo. Walking into the backroom he stood before a blonde Hume reading some papers on his desk, knocking on the door as he walked in with his battle gear ready and giant cleaver at his side.

“Well look who it is… and hear I thought the great Hideo Wiriamuzu was dead.”

“Can’t kill this old demon, I’m indestructible.”

“So what brings an ugly mug like yours back here?”

“Heard anything about a group called Steeled Winged Militia?”

“I probably know just as much as you, not a whole lot. Heard the name as well as some things, so you’re after them?”

“They want my hide, so a Dark Knight and I came up with a plan to force them to go after us. I’m tired of sitting and waiting.”

“I see. So still defending the Empire?”

“More or less, server the Empress in the East but moonlights here in the West as a freelancer. Mercenary, escort, bodyguard, so forth, you know nothing big just to keep me busy. After all, all of my contracts are now in the hands of a Pirate. But you know me; I lend my sword to anyone. Doesn’t matter what’s the price. No matter how hard I try, I’m still a Mercenary and Soldier.”

“A real man of war.”

“Well, I just wanted to stop by and say my hello. This Dark Knight and I shall be heading out soon.”

Hideo waved as he left the room and waited for the Dark Knight and as soon as he did that he noticed the Dark Knight named Jayden. The two greeted one another as they began heading towards Carpenter’s Landing where they would begin their assault. The two were planning to ambush the Steeled Wing Militia, a group of religious zealots wanting to cleanse the world. This caused a great stir of anger deep inside Hideo. To him they were typical ignorant religious trash, which damned everything that was not the same as them; however, the thought of them going after his daughter troubled him. He wanted no harm to come to her and if they indeed went after her he could not control himself from what he could possibly do. He thought about where he was in life, discovering he was a tool of Odin for chaos.

All of his close calls in battle which he would rise up and continue his attack, helping him lay claim to the moniker of a demon. If they did indeed go after his daughter he had no idea what he would do nor how far. He would certainly give into his rage and do something that would cause a great deal of backlash but he put that thought aside as he wanted to make a statement and get the group to focus him and hope they knew nothing of his daughter.

Hideo had recalled that they rode by Chocobo until they found the cave in Jugner that would lead them to the Landing where they could take the barge and find a good spot to start their search. Jayden’s bat had discovered the location and they would begin searching and would not stop until they destroyed their foes and left one remaining to spin the tale and tell the others.

They went out and waged war against the Militia that was against their group, their tested steel went against the men of faith within Carpenter’s Landing under the mask of twilight, Hideo getting the idea to lure Orcs into the outpost to allow them to do most of the work as they ransack the cabin like fortress. The Dark Knight and would be Samurai cut through their foes as they pushed inward into the structure as they continue to slash into their foes. Amidst the melee the building had caught a flame, the two unsung heroes continued to fight as they went up against the leader of this small branch of the Steeled Wing Militia. After a brutal conflict, it was Jayden who got the killing blow on the leader, as the remaining members of the Militia laid broken on the ground below the two exited the outpost and sealed the doors close trapping those still inside as it burned, as they dragged out a sole body who still lived. Forcing him to witness the burning remains of his base of operation and to listen to the cries of his brethrens, he would be the lone survivor to spread the news and tell the others of what occur on this day.

After the deed was done the two parted ways, Jayden heading into the east as Hideo would remain in the west. He returned to Jeuno for he remembered he had to meet someone in Windurst so he decided to head to the Airship leaving for the Tarutaru Federation, before he set out to Windurst he shipped off his cracked Wyvern Helm to a Qiqirn in the east to patch up for him. Walking down the street of Port Jeuno, as he continued to smile with a glee in his eye as he was pleased with what he had done. He got to strike back against the Militia and hopefully get them to focus on him and not a few others. He made it to the Airship before it could take off; as he stepped into the lower deck the mighty Airship took to the skies as it sailed for Windurst. After a short bit of sailing, Hideo made his way to the main deck staring out at the horizon. His mind plunged into the past; he had always spoken of feeling no regret or remorse for anything he had done, but the truth of the matter was that he did feel remorse for his past sins; the downfall of his son, the murder of his beloved Tira, and even the fall of Masao. He could care less about the world or those who where not attach to him.

Blood was on his hands and he accepted that; however, his kin was the only thing he had once cared for. He failed to stop the raiders, who burned and ransack his village as a child; he drove his son towards insanity then soon death. As well as the killing of his beloved Tira the only soul that could truly sooth his pain and then the latest ordeal with his cousin. The ruthless and cold monster that was Hideo Wiriamuzu was suffering greatly due to his own actions. He remembered that Jera said he should forgive himself and not seek death, but the man who she spoke to was a man searching for an honorable end. His body ached and craved battle as he thirsted for vengeance upon the world. This desire for vengeance had always made Hideo strive for greatness in his youth and gave him the strength to continue to fight… this was what Odin saw and the reason why he granted Hideo his wish. Darkness and rage filled his heart, Hideo knew who he was. He was an evil man. He was not just an evil man but somewhere beneath him was a warrior who lived life by his warrior code and continued to fight till his very last breath. In the east he was dubbed the Dark Samurai due to his demonic nature but unbreakable loyalty to the Empire. In the west he was known as Demon of the East due to his pure savagery on the battlefield, those who knew of the tale of the Dark Rider had often saw similarity to Hideo. He reflected on this matter, and he knew he indeed made a pact or perhaps sold his soul to the Dark Divinity of the Underworld, it was no dream or illusion.

The Airship docked in Windurst, he remembered he came here to speak to Nanako but he decided to stop at the tavern in Windurst because he wanted to celebrate a job well done. Windurst wasn’t the best of places but on this night it did not matter. Walking into the tavern he noticed people already partying but he ignored them and ordered his own drink; however, as he began to drink he looked over his shoulder and noticed those he knew. He turned and decided to do something nice and pay for the entire groups’ next drinks. Joining the group, he grinned and continued to consume his drink.

The group chatted and killed time as new and returning faces popped in and out, Hideo tried to remain as peaceful as possible but he felt that he drove Cherice away due to whatever he had said. As the party continued going on, Hideo allowed Mimi, the Mithra Dragoon who was the first to be attacked by the Steeled Wing Militia, to taste some of his drink. She collapsed to the floor as the drink was to powerful for her. She rolled on the floor as she continued to drift in and out of her slumber state, resulting in sleeping on top of Hideo. Uncaring of the situation due to him being pleased with his self allowed the cat to use him as a pillow and as a bed. As the night continued on Hideo help lift the cat so another could care her home, as the party drew to a close he rose to his feet and decided to meet Nanako.

Walking through the streets of Windurst, stumbling with each step he continued to drink from his small jug of ale at his side. Hideo entered a back alley where he was told to meet the eastern girl for some reason unknown to him. As he stepped out of view from the streets he looked around for the eastern girl but as he turn to see a large figure behind him. A large fist smashed into his face, sending him to the ground with a crushing blow. Hideo had fallen face first to the ground as his whole body went limp as he was laid out.

“Dost thou forget thou promise to thee?” A voice echoed from the darkness, “Thine life belongs to thee. Thou hath signed a pact to thee, break thy vow… Mine obsidian blade shall split atwain the threads of thy future... whilst its crimson fuller shalt channel the lifeblood of thy past. Forget not, thy purpose. For too long, thou hath tossed thine life away, remember… thy life belongs to thee and thy life can be extinguished without a warrior’s end.”

Awakening in dark room, Hideo slowly arose to his feet. He looked around and noticed he was inside the Horutoto Ruins. His head felt like it was about to split; however, he fought through the pain and looked around for his weapon but finding nothing. The sounds of footsteps echoed in the ruins as he turned to see a large figure.

“Are you ready to atone for your sins Demon of the East?” A large raspy voice spoke as the shadowy figure slowly become more into view. “Allow the lives you took to be avenged?”

“I know that voice…” Hideo spoke as he saw a large Galka in blackened armor with a Kindred head as a helm. A large jagged Great Sword was strapped to his back as Hideo’s Hagun clutched in the Galka’s hands.

“You should. What you have taken from me…how you left me to die in a den of demons. I thought I had to become a devil to hunt down a demon, I was wrong…using darkness against darkness all it does is results in more darkness, no. Once I have quenched my vengeance and sooth my rage upon your death, I shall begin to repent for the things I have down while on this path. Those who allow evil into their hearts… deserve a swift end. We are both warmongers, I had to become something I detested in hopes of ending you.”

“Western Devil was it?” Hideo chuckled as he walked forward and stood in front of the towering Galka, “Nanako never did send that letter did she?”

“It was all a rouse to get you to come to me. I know all about your daughter and the Samurai girl who follows her around. I have been following you for a while now, butchering men of the cloth…how low can one get?”

“I do not care what you think or what you believe in; to me…you are just a corpse that does not yet release it. If you truly wish to avenge the death of the fallen, then come at me with all your might… proud warrior!”

“You should be tower in fear!” The large Galka tossed Hideo his Great Katana and freed his massive Great Sword from his back.

“I do not fear death, for Valhalla awaits me when I’m dead. Now… attempt to give me a warrior’s death… my worthy advisory!”

The two charged at one another with their weapons drawn, their great weapons smashed into one another as they swung faster and stronger with each blow. Hideo looked up and stared into his opponent’s eyes.

“I know who I am… I am an evil man, and I come with no regards… for anyone!” Hideo swung his blade at the Galka’s throat but the mighty beast ducked under and charged forward slamming Hideo against a wall. The Galka took a few steps to allow Hideo to rise back up, as he rose to a vertical base he began to chuckle, “Show me…your madness.” The large Galka bashed the hilt of his Great Sword into Hideo’s face making him stumble back. The large Galka rushed forward and sent Hideo to the ground hard as he rolled back and lay on his back.

“Rise wretched demon!” The Galka hollered as he tightened his grasp on his Great Sword. “I shall obliterate you! There will be nothing left of you!”

“I will not die by your hands, mighty as you are warrior…but you shall not be the one to extinguish the fire that rages deep within my soul. This demon fights for the fallen… amusing as this must sound, but I do not jest. I fight for my fallen kin. The reason why I took the life of your friends was so I could keep my life. In war, its kill them before they kill you. I understand how you feel; I am a man of vengeance just as you… I wish to bleed the world dry for what has happen to me. It does not matter if you believe me or not, but I shall not allow you to end my life. I am a warmonger, there shall be many more like you after my head. You shall be nothing more than a stain on my blade mighty warrior.”

Hideo picked up his blade and aimed for the legs of the mighty Galka, jumping back away from the blade. Readjusting his stance, Hideo slammed his Great Katana down as the blade went into the opening of his opponent’s Great Sword, the two locked in a stalemate, Hideo moved in closer to stare back into the eyes of his foe.

“I can see into your soul… it is corrupted by rage just like mine. Flames of vengeance burns deep within our souls, corrupting us into monstrosities who live for the kill! Now, raise thy sword and attempt to take my head!”

Hideo jumped back as he saw the heavy Great Sword swung at him once more, parrying the massive steel he warded off the attack.

“You and I are warmongers, forged in the deepest pits of hell! Come Einherjar, let us end this!”

The two charged once more at each other, the steel crashing into one another as they tried to hack and slash at each other and tear one another apart. Hideo had remembered that this warrior he was fighting was a Dark Knight and knew that his soul was slowly being eaten away due to his own abilities; he used it against the large Galka. Their brutal attacks continued as they both parried and evaded the others attack, allowing steel to collide into steel. Within an instant Hideo saw a opening and with a glee in his eye he quickly sprung into action and performed three of his attacks in a swift chain of events. Tachi: Yukikaze, Tachi: Gekko, Tachi: Kasha, each one sprung suddenly and in one swift motion struck the Galka sending him to the floor.

“Behold the magnificence of my victory,” Hideo spoke as he return his Hagun at his side. Kneeling beside the large Galka, “Mighty Einherjar, you fought hard and well at each encounter. It was an honor to go against you; your fallen friends would have been pleased with your dedication. Now close your eyes, Valhalla soon will be upon you.” As Hideo spoke he quickly finished off the Galka and gave him eternal rest.

Wiping his blade clean of blood he ventured out of the ruins and into the blinding sunlight of the outside. He looked to the heavens above as he stopped in his tracks, a memory came to him, one of his son… Ryu.

“I wish to be a hero, like my father before me.”

“A hero? Then you must stand for something, you must become something more than a Hume amongst Elvaan within that Kingdom. Ryu John, the Wolf of San d'Oria. You must remember two things, first... you can tame a dog with food, you can tame a man with money, but there is nothing that can tame a wolf. And second but most important for this is true in all things, everything must come to an end. Memento Mori.”

“What?”

“Remember that you are mortal, remember you will die, and remember that you must die, remember your death. A true warrior who falls in battle shall become an Einherjar or a Valkyrie… but that is a belief in the Near East to a few. Live life under your own definition of Bushido, never allow yourself to despair into apathy. Those without desire or passion shall remain weak and never able to meet a warrior’s end. Go now Ryu, you are a hero, and a hero must be strong if he wishes to combat against his enemies. Go to the lands of extreme, far north into the snowy range, to the southwest of the blazing deserts, the jungles of the island of Elshimo… and so forth. Find these lands of extreme and survive and perfect your craft. If you ever lose your views or find yourself lost, seek the Sanctuary. There you shall remember your purpose and the reason why you pick up this blade. Take care mighty Einherjar, this serpent shall await the day till we cross paths once more, either as foes or as allies. Take care kid.”

Hideo wiped a tear from his eye. He looked up once more to the heavens. He stumbled as he left the ruins and begun thinking if he should head back to Windurst or just simply wander to get his mind off things. He checked his Tactical Pearl and decided to speak to Nanako.

“Finding yourself in a ruin with a large angry Galka is an interesting way to wake up.”

“What?”

“Nothin’. Just got jump and awoke in some ruins to get into to a fight with some pissed off Galka wanting vengeance. Don’t worry, he’s dead. I won of course.”

“I see. So… why are you talking to me? Just to tell me about your day?”

“No. I’m going to be disappearing for awhile from the east so my daughter won’t be seeing me for a bit.”

“What why?”

“Well… I’m heading north, far north. You can say, soul searching. Let me just say…to a land of extreme. The Uleguerand Range…good way toughen up. So yes, tell her I shall be away.”

As Hideo decided where he would go his mind continued to fall back to his fallen son. Sadness crept into his heart which troubled him. He paused for a moment and began to pray to the Dark Divinity of the Underworld, the Dark Rider himself.

“Oh merciful Odin… I beg of you. Grant my son pardon of any sins or corruption within his soul and place them unto me. I wish for him to find Paradise of the western faith… he is the hero that neither I… nor Masao could ever be. Masao and I are forever your faithful servants, warmongers seeking their honorable end under your will. Grant me this wish, and my soul is yours to do with as you please. I forever will walk this bloodstained path, for I know who I am… I am an evil man.”

San d’Oria continued to be busy as always on this day. Adventures and citizens alike running to and from which was nothing new. On this day an eastern Hume walked down its streets with a large Great Katana at his hip. He paused in his steps and took a look to the sky above; it was a beautiful day once more with no concern of war or fear in the air. The eastern Hume was in his late forties and showed many signs of wear and tear over the years, his name was Hideo Wirimauzu.

This old man marched under one and only one banner, that belonging to the Dark Divinity of the Underworld, the Dark Rider himself Odin. Hiding amongst Imperial soldiers in the East and in the west claming to be a Mercenary, all was a façade as he was a swordsman who served the Dark Divinity. He lent his sword to anyone no matter what the price was because to him it was a Mercenary’s life. All that matter was the assignment, the job that needed to be done. He was now forty-eight years old and he had fought almost every waking hour of his life, battle was all he knew and the only thing he could do.

As continued walking down the street as everyday people moved pass him going on with their everyday activist. He headed to the Mog Houses he came here to speak to someone. Moving in a slower pace then the rest he strolled leisurely forward. Finding himself in the residential district he counted as he passed houses until he found the one he was searching for, walking towards the door he knocked. He stood there in silence, waiting for a moment he knocked once more. The door opened up and a young Elvaan man opened up.

“Hello?” The Elvaan man spoke as peered his head out of the house. Hideo pushed the Elvaan back inside as he stepped inward and closed the door behind him. “Ah…mister Wiriamuzu! You have returned!”

“Of course I have, what you thought I was dead?”

“Well you were gone for a long time.”

“I was in the northern lands, its takes a long time to get back.”

“What brings you to my home?”

“Well Rabbit, I’m done with you. You can hop off and do whatever the hell you want. You no longer need to be my eyes here.”

“Really sir?”

“I do not care about San d’Oria and her secrets. If the Militia is coming after me, then I shall meet them on the battlefield. I do not care anymore.”

“So what were you doing up there?”

“Meditating and searching.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s just say soul searching.”

“Oh. Um…I encountered your daughter. She is has been staying here in San d’Oria for a month.”

“And where is she staying?”

“I believe your quarters.”

“Thanks kid, oh…I see you are using a shield and wearing leather. Finally find a path?”

“Perhaps.”

“I know of a man who you could turn to, the name’s Timoshi Kaiser, he’s a Paladin. One of those holier than thou type, he could help steer you in the right direction.”

“Thanks Hideo, I am grateful for all of your encouraging words even if they may have been… well hurtful. Nevertheless, they did motivate me. Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it Rabbit, just don’t die too early. Life’s too good to call it a quits early.”

Hideo waved as he left the building and walked off towards his own Mog House, lucky for him it was not too far from Thendar’s home. Opening the door and stepping into his home within San d’Oria he looked around and noticed that his home was being used while he was away, it was strange that there was no one in there. Hideo sat on his bed and took a moment to enjoy the soft bed. As he got comfortable the door opened and a female Hume and Moogle came in. Smiling, Hideo waved to them as he placed his Wyvern Helm on a table top.

“You’re back. I was starting to think that the all powerful Hideo had met his end.”

“Come on, you know better love; you can’t kill this walking war machine.”

“So where did you run off to?”

“To the northern lands.”

“Why would you go all the way up there?”

“Many reasons, for one I traveled to the Throne Room of the late Shadow Lord in between resurrections. Then I traveled venture farther up north seeking into the Uleguerand Range.”

“Uleguerand Range?”

“Think about it. Northern lands are where demons roam… besides I heard a rumor it was a possible location of the Dark Divinity himself.”

“Find anything?”

“I found somethin’. A revelation, if you will.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Indeed I am. I came to the conclusion… that I am not strong. In the past I had allowed myself to fall so far it has taken me… what seems like eternity to reclaim what was mine. I tried to let a Pumpkin Headed fool to surpass me, I regret that. I lost my blood and flesh, my son lies buried. I have flipped flopped on my positions and lose everything only to try and reclaim it. No… I am not strong; if I was strong I would have not let down those who I had once held dear. I have spate in the face of the fallen and turned my back on them… and for what? Greed? Fool’s Ambition? For simple satisfaction? For too long, I wandered aimlessly…a Ronin without a cause and a stance. But up there…in the bitter cold, everything became so clear.”

“What became clear?”

“Do you know why I fight?”

“To be honest, no… I do not. I have been wanting to know that for a very long time father.”

“In the past, when I was a younger man… so full of life and passion, I fought for the fallen kin. A forgotten bloodline that continues to flow within my veins… and your veins as well, I use to fight to show them how strong I would become to honor their deaths and hopefully on day achieve vengeance. Then I began to fight for the sheer pleasure of it, lost in my own mindless killing… I became a beast, hungry for more. I abandon those who I once shed tears for; forcing myself to enter war… the Crystal War changed everything for me. Do you want to know why I drink, screw, and fight till I am exhausted and crash?”

“No…”

“When I find myself alone, my hands…my body trembles. The cries of the fallen echo inside my mind in the darkness, whenever I sleep dreams of past bloodshed, when I am alone… my body trembles and the night terrors begin. I lay awake at night, with the horrors of war reflecting back at me. When I am on the battlefield, my mind is clear and all that I am focus on is that moment. Not the past, not the future, not even the present…just simply that moment. War is all I know, I was born from it… I’ll die in it. I drink my sorrows away and drown the sounds of war that echo in my mind. My life had been consumed by battle and war, which I can not live without… which is why I have no friends nor anyone who care for me. To me, the war never ends, as long as I breathe… I’ll continue to fight. I mock the east by pretending to serve them, I wage battle in the past…why? So I can fight, so I can serve as a pawn for others… war is my life, it defines me. I believe that I have died once… in the darkness of the Shadow Lord’s dungeon, within that cell…my life had ended. I made a plea to the heavens and to the dark depths…to any divine or demonic being that heard my cries, to allow me to die a warriors death and honor my fallen kin…for I am a of Samurai blood. The Dark Divinity had heard my cries and answered, giving me the will to live on and find my resting place, in return my soul, my very being belongs to him. When I die…Odin will decide what becomes of me. If its ripped across the halls of Valhalla or if the Valkries will carry me off to my final resting place, I do not know nor care. I have accepted my fate and with it I’m bounded to it. I’m on borrowed time, whenever the Rider feels it is time…he will end my existence and I shall become nothing, I accept this. As long as I fight, as long as I continue to be the warmonger that I have always been destined to be… I shall live.”

Hideo’s daughter didn’t say a word as she listen to him go on. The Moogle had also went silent as he had no idea what to say or how to react to his master’s words.

“Up there… I had a revelation. That being; I have a rendezvous with death, at some disputed barricade, it may be he shall take my hand, and lead me into his dark land, and close my eyes and quench my breath, I have a rendezvous with death, and I to my pledged word am true, I shall not fail that rendezvous. When the Rider feels it is time, I shall arrive at that rendezvous and accept my fate. I am a servant of Odin, a Samurai who pledges only to the Dark Divinity. The Empire thinks of me as its pawn, but I do not bow before them… no, my master… is the Dark Rider himself. Let the Near East think of me as a Serpent Soldier, let the west think of me as a Mercenary. I am a man of war, that is my place and that will be my grave. I came here to see you, to tell you the best of luck in whatever it is you decided. This Einherjar, has returned from the northern land and will seek his final resting place. Wherever there is battle that is where you will find me. Through the Maws, over in the East, or even here in the Middle Lands, I shall be in search of war. Take care my child, I wish you the best of luck. The Dark Samurai has returned, the Demon of the East…shall continue to fight till he finds an opponent greater.”

Hideo bowed and left the Mog House, heading to no where specific, he decided he would wander to the east, knowing that the Serpent Generals would be finding themselves amidst battle at any moment.

Part 2: The Einherjar:

This old man marched under one and only one banner, that being belong to the Dark Divinity of the Underworld, the Dark Rider himself Odin. Hiding amongst Imperial soldiers in the East and in the west claming to be a Mercenary, all was a façade as he was a swordsman who served the Dark Divinity solely. He lent his sword to anyone no matter the price; it was a Mercenary’s life. All that matter was the assignment, the job that needed to be done. He was now forty-eight years old and he had fought almost every waking hour of his life, battle was all he knew and the only thing he could do. His bones ached, his hands trembled, but he pressed on in search of war.

As continued walking down the street as everyday people moved pass him going on with their everyday things. He headed to the Mog Houses he came here to speak to someone. Moving in a slower pace then the rest he strolled leisurely forward. Finding himself in the residential district he counted as he passed houses until he found the one he was searching for, walking towards the door he knocked. He stood there in silence, waiting for a moment he knocked once more. The door opened up and a young Elvaan man opened up.

“Of course I have, what you thought I was dead?”

“Well you were gone for a long time.”

“I was in the northern lands, its takes a long time to get back.”

“What brings you to my home?”

“Well Rabbit, I’m done with you. You can hop off and do whatever the hell you want. You no longer need to be my eyes here.”

“Really sir?”

“I do not care about San d’Oria and her secrets. If the Militia indeed comes for me, let them, for I shall meet them on the battlefield. I no longer care where cowards dwell.”

“So what were you doing up there in the northern lands?”

“Meditating and searching.”

“Huh?”

“Let’s just say soul searching.”

“Oh. Um…I encountered your daughter. She has been staying here in San d’Oria for a month.”

“And where is she staying?”

“I believe your quarters.”

“Thanks kid, oh…I see you are using a shield and wearing leather. Finally find a path?”

“Perhaps.”

“I know of a man who you could turn to, the name’s Timoshi Kaiser, he’s a Paladin, he could help steer you in the right direction.”

“Thanks Hideo, I am grateful for all of your encouraging words even if they may have been… well hurtful. Nevertheless, they did motivate me. Thank you.”

“Think nothing of it Rabbit, just don’t die too early. Life’s too good to call it a quits early.”

“You’re back. I was starting to think that the all powerful Hideo had met his end.”

“Come on, you know better love; you can’t kill this walking war machine.”

“So where did you run off to?”

“To the northern lands.”

“Why would you go all the way up there?”

“Many reasons, for one I traveled to the Throne Room of the late Shadow Lord in between resurrections. Then I venture farther up north into the Uleguerand Range.”

“Uleguerand Range?”

“Think about it. Northern lands are where demons roam… besides I heard a rumor it was a possible location of the Dark Divinity himself.”

“Find anything?”

“I found somethin’. A revelation, if you will.”

“You can’t be serious?”

“Indeed I am. I came to this conclusion… that I am not strong. In the past I had allowed myself to fall so far it has taken me… what seems like eternity to reclaim what was mine. I tried to let a Pumpkin Headed fool surpass me, I regret that now. I lost my blood and flesh, my son lies buried. I have flipped flopped on my positions and lost everything I had once held dear… only to try and reclaim it. No… I am not strong; if I was strong I would have not let down those who I once held dear. I have spate in the face of the fallen and turned my back on them… and for what? Greed? Fool’s Ambition? For simple satisfaction? For too long, I wandered aimlessly…a Ronin without a cause and a stance. But up there…in the bitter cold, everything became so clear.” Hideo recalled the days he spent in the bitter cold. Roaming about on the Shadow Lord’s grounds, basking in past hardships, he now knew why everything had come to pass. He was a servant of the Dark Rider, a Samurai belonging to Odin.

“What became clear?”

“Do you know why I fight?”

“To be honest no, I do not. I want to know father…”

“In the past, when I was a younger man… so full of life and passion, I fought for the fallen kin. A forgotten bloodline that continues to flow within my veins… and within your veins, I use to fight to show them how strong I would become to honor their deaths and hopefully one day achieve vengeance then resting beside them. Then I allow myself to be consume by this blood thirst, I fought for the sheer pleasure of it, lost in my own mindless killing… I became a beast, hungry for more. I abandon those who I once shed tears for; forcing myself to enter the flames of war… the Crystal War changed everything for me, I became another gear in the great mechanics of war. Do you want to know why I drink, screw, and fight till I am exhausted and crash? When I find myself alone, my hands…my body trembles. The cries of the fallen echo inside my mind in the darkness, whenever I sleep… dreams of past bloodshed. When I am alone… my body trembles and the night terrors begin. I lay awake at night, with the horrors of war reflecting back at me. When I am on the battlefield, my mind is clear and all that I am is focus on, is that moment in time. Not the past, not the future, not even the present…just simply that moment. War is all I’ve ever know, I was born from it… I’ll die in it. I drink my sorrows away and drown the sounds of war that echo in my mind. My life had been consumed by battle and war, which I can not live without… which is why I have no friends nor anyone who care for me. To me, the war never ends, as long as I breathe… I’ll continue to fight. I mock the east by pretending to serve them, I wage battle in the past…why? So I can fight, so I can serve as a pawn for others… war is my life, it defines me. I believe that I have died once… in the darkness of the Shadow Lord’s dungeon, within that cell…my life had ended. I made a plea to the heavens and to the dark depths…to any divine or demonic being that would hear my cries, to allow me to die a warriors death and honor my fallen kin…for I am a of Samurai blood. The Dark Divinity had heard my calling out and answered, giving me the will to live on and find my resting place, in return my soul, my very being belongs to him. When I die…Odin will decide what becomes of me. If it’s ripped across the halls of Valhalla or if the Valkries carry me off to my final resting place, I do not know nor care. I have accepted my fate and with it I’m bounded to it. I’m on borrowed time, whenever the Rider feels it is time…he will end my existence and I shall become nothing, I accept this. As long as I fight, as long as I continue to be the warmonger that I have always been destined to be… I shall live.”

Hideo’s daughter didn’t say a word as she listen to him go on. The Moogle had also went silent as he had no idea what to say or how to react to his master’s words.

Hideo bowed and left the Mog House, heading to no where specific, he decided he would wander to the east, knowing that the Serpent Generals would be finding themselves amidst battle at any moment. Hideo Wiriamuzu knew who he was. Nothing would change that, not any person, not any event; never would he alter from his chosen path. He had made a pact with the Dark Divinity himself, and had a rendezvous with him destined in time, as long as the Dark Rider gave him time, he would live his remaining life within those flames of war.