I had an idea and some nifty inspiration, but sorry this is a bit long, maybe a lot long.... aha.... But yeah, anyways, hope you like it!
There was an unsettling darkness surrounding the forest. Usually grand and full of life, the trees did not whisper, passing deer and elk did not stir the soil, and birds did not chirp in their leaves. All that remained was the screams of the wind, as it hurled its way through the winding paths and branches, searching for a glimpse of fur among the brush, a living being. This wind was the path of two spirits.
A disturbance had been felt by many in the spirit world, a god was dying, a deity of the trees, the ruler of this land. Thought by many as a foolish king, numerous of the great spirits ignored the cry for help. Fukagawa however was sickened by the reaction. He and his companion cared not for the personality of a victim. They only cared to save them, to offer a helping hand. That’s why they were those of the great three, while all those other O’tsin remained insignificant. Kanagawa had said he hoped they were embarrassed that the head of the line took this job, where many others could have filled their space in place. Fukagawa agreed, though he found that helping the forest guardian known as Sylvestris to be quite important... and not as simple a job as Kanagawa had thought.
Suddenly the wind ceased its cries, and the two fell down to the cold earth of a cliff wall. Ahead they saw the bashing and thrashing of light as it licked up the stone in an array of colours. Kanagawa unearthed his shield, Fukagawa held his strength and focused his eyes. They marched forward, lightning struck, and the ground sickened purple, Fukagawa squinted his eyes, this was dark magic.
Turning around the curve the two O’tsin lay their eyes on a figure draped in black, he carried a staff with a cracked jewel, one that matched his wrinkled shadowed face. The sorcerer cackled and smacked the forest floor once more, wildlife reared and fell before him, trees crashed to the soil, roots ripped from the earth, leaves fell over crimson pools, and their god fell to his knees. The sound echoed through the silent night, and the stars watched, hiding their faces behind clouds.
He called them all to him for his aid, Kanagawa whispered. That’s why the forest is silent.
Yet, this is not an army, but a team, Fukagawa commented, as he jumped into action. Shield him, I will keep the sorcerer busy.
Kanagawa leaped through the air and landed softly to meet the deity, as Fukagawa combatted the villain in a flash of strikes. Kanagawa's shield cut through the dirt, covering the two “gods” with its radius, as he fell to kneel before the forest god, with a hand over his steady beating heart.
Bowing politely, he called out to the deity, “Sylvestris god of the trees." Smoke curled out of his mask and caressed the spirit's warm face. “I am Yeen Hayetsxw," Kanagawa's eyes flickered in the light of the battle raging behind him. "He who is fighting is known as K’illa’ Daxgyet." A strike crashed against the spirit's shield, he supported it with one hand, and violet beams dripped over its side in an explosion. The spirit, with unwavering intensity, continued his long introduction.
"We are two of the great three — the O’tsin of Delgamuuk — I implore that you let us assist you.”
---
Many had thought he was an unmatchable opponent, still, he had his limits. In many battles, he prevailed and lived victorious — alive, but there were always consequences. Death became his weakness, his immortality, his strength. The grief of his friends blinded him, and the values of victory became null - worthless.
In a final battle to fight the creatures of the darkness, Fukagawa flinched. He lost his head, he was fighting a losing battle — Simply were there too many evil beings for one spirit to fight, or was it a grand and powerful adversary? Who knows, but even in the darkest corners of the world, will there be an unexpected ally for him to rely on? Or will this day be one to remember, maybe even as his last battle...
Fukagawa’s eyes paled in the darkness, he felt himself fading, he knew if he didn’t have the help he and all the others he needed to protect would die. Alone, on a one-on-one, he knew he could have beaten this boy in battle. He surely was the kind the O’tsin would fight — evil in some sense. He tightened his jaw and bared his fanged teeth as the kid gripped his face in his own white fingers.
Still, to grovel before such a weak, unassuming, adversary almost seemed worse than death. After he had already faced such a horrid loss? He knew he would rather die.
Though, he also knew there was no “end” for an O’tsin. After this he would simply become one with nature, there would be no ego of his to feel that weakness, ignoring an offer, even of such low and demeaning help, was a stupid and idiotic thing not to do. He needed to move past himself if he were to grow and succeed.
To save real mortal lives.
The O’tsin’s brow twitched, and rich blood dripped down his chin, he had never felt himself bleed in such a way. It was painful.
“Grovel?” Fukagawa spat. “I am already at your knees.” Behind him the darkness stirred, he could still hear their cries… their cries… so many were now dead. Was it his fault?
Fukagawa’s face fell, he closed his eyes and breathed in unsteadily, his strong body below him, now weak, flickered, he was closer now.
Fukagawa looked forwards, past the pain and the darkness.
If he did not live to fight another day, then there would be no point in his previous existence. He had not been a coward for a long, long time, and he wouldn't be one that day, never again. No fight was too great, he would always be victorious, in some way...
“But, yes. I will. I will beg...I-- I beg of you…” Fukagawa caught the boy’s white pale and malicious glare with his own pure one. “I plead, I beg… please, you are the only one.” The O’tsin’s clawed hand gripped onto Fabrico’s tightly, he looked physically strained to speak each word. Like the sentences themselves were knifes stabbed into his gut and turned to induce a painful demise.
“Please….” the O’tsin cringed, “please, save me, have mercy..”