Berig     Created on Friday, 10 February 2006 00:11  
  Buke  
  My name is Buke "Shinigami" Curie, in my native language that means Warrior God of Death. Shinigami is a self given name, no one has used my real name in a very long time. Curie is one I got later on in life, it is the name of my family. I suppose I should give you some insight into my past, well all that I can remember that is.

I was from a small village on the corner of where Han, Buya, and Sonhi meet. I lived well with my family, we were considered nobles of the village, not because of money but because of spirit. We had the biggest family, the most livestock, and we were the first ones called upon when others needed us. We helped start a school for the children to learn the basics. We would house and feed wanderers and families hit by the war and hard times. Our door was always open and so were our lives. We brought in a tutor to teach the art of healing. We treated many deserters and lost ones of war. Our village thrived and people from all over would come just to marvel at this backwater area.

You asked when I started seeing the "Unseen". Well until recently I didn't know they were called the "Unseen". I've seen them ever since I was very young, before I even knew what path my life was heading down. My family always told me that I was just seeing the spirits of the dead. I went along with this because my grandmother had the sight. She could correspond with the dead and everyone just assumed I had taken the gift from her. My first sighting was on a warm afternoon when the war was close to the village. A mercenary had entered and was wreaking havoc at the small inn we had helped build. Up until this time, our village had never been bothered much by the war or by miscreants. My father was alerted to the problem and he gathered up his staff and headed off for the Inn with my older brother Ryo in tow. I was told to stay put, but being very young and very bored with my lessons, I chased behind them in awe.

When my father and brother entered the inn, there sat a massive man sitting on one of the straw mats, drunk and slobbering all over the innkeeper’s wife. She was terrified and kept trying to get away from the man but couldn't. Her husband, the innkeeper, lay in a heap in the corner, helpless against the man’s strength and anger. My father demanded the man let Yon go, but he refused. My father tried to reason with the man but he had nothing to do with that. Finally my father got Yon away from the sadist and called him out into the street. The man got drunkenly up and staggered outside with his sword dragging in the dirt behind him. That was when I noticed a man standing behind the soldier. He was thin, pale and had a wicked smile. No one around me seemed to notice him but I figured it was because he was hiding in the shadow of the big man.

The fight started and the big man seemed to wake up. He didn’t stagger around or slur, his movements were precise and dangerous. He lunged at my father and slashed at him with his sword. My father dodged and danced around him. My father started casting his most powerful spells on the soldier, but it didn’t slow him or cause him injury. My gaze shifted to the thin man. He was leaning against the inn wall shifting his hands and fingers about in the air. He resembled a puppeteer I once saw that was traveling with some gypsies that came through the village. His grin seemed to grow across his face. His white teeth gleamed in the sun and his hands worked harder and harder. The big soldier kept slashing and stabbing at my father. He was like a berserker, unyielding and insane. My father was breathing heavy and starting to get tired. He let off a lightning bolt and it missed the soldier and hit the ground about a foot away from the thin man.

The thin man stopped and hissed a little then in a flash disappeared. No one seemed to notice the flash; it was incredibly bright and hurt my eyes. Even in the middle of the day it was noticeable. I assumed everyone was just riveted to the fight before them. As my father was preparing to cast his most deadly of spells the soldier stopped and shook his head. He had dropped his sword and shook his head violently and looked around at everyone. His face went white when he saw my father gathering power and took off staggering in the opposite direction.
Everyone watched him run away in wonder. Everyone rejoiced as the soldier left the village in a dead, drunken run. They all praised my father for being so brave and fighting so well.

A few months had passed and it was turning cold out. My big brother Ryo and I were out gathering supplies for our new little brother. Mother had just had him and he was but a few weeks old. I was so happy to finally get to be a big brother and Ryo was happy to be a big brother twice. Everything was going well and we hadn’t had even the least bit of trouble from anyone or anything since that soldier. I never saw that thin man again until that night we were out getting supplies. I saw him lurking around the edges of the darkness looking around at people and smiling his horrible smile. I asked Ryo about him, if he had seen him and how that thin man could be out in blustery weather without even a cape to shield him. Ryo told me I was just making shapes out of the darkness because he didn’t see anything. As we were heading back to our home, the thin man stepped out of the darkness closer to us. Ryo still acted as if he didn’t see the man. As we walked past, I kept my gaze on the thin man. He finally noticed me and seemed shocked that I was looking at him. The thin man licked his lips and twiddled his fingers at me as a wave. Chills shot down my spine and I begged Ryo to hurry up home.

I was so scared that even being with my big brother couldn’t calm me. Ryo insisted on stopping at one more place and told me to run on home. I could see my father’s figure in the setting sun chopping wood so I thought it safe to go the few lengths to the house by myself. With my big brother at my back and my father at my front I could make it into the house safely. Ryo watched me run down the path and then turned into the shop. That was the last time I saw my brother in a normal state.

As I reached the cottage, father was piling wood by the front door. He smiled and patted my head and told me to get on inside he would be in, in a moment. I went inside and helped my mother and grandmother unload the few packages I had brought. I sat with my little brother by the fire and forgot about the thin man. Some time had passed and Ryo had not returned home. Father had come inside and said that he was going to go down to the shops and find him. Mother commented that Ryo was of that age that any face of the opposite sex would make him late for his own funeral. My grandmother and father both chuckled as father walked out the door.

By this time it was pitch dark outside. Just a few shops remained open and you could see the lamp light flickering from within. I’m not sure what happened, but I know it was instant and it was horrible. I was awakened by my grandmother shoving my little brother into my arms and telling me to take him to the woods behind the house and hide. I had no clue what was going on and heard complete chaos going on out front. My grandmother insisted and physically pushed me and my little brother out the back door. As I was running with him trying to keep his blanket tight I heard my mother sobbing and screaming at the same time. She kept screaming ?No Ryo don’t, why are you doing this?? I heard horrible laughter that surely couldn’t be Ryo?s he had such a lighthearted laugh; this was a laugh of pure evil.

I hid in the woods in a hollowed tree base that I used to play in during warmer weather. I had already brought a soft blanket for lounging on and a book. I would read out here in warm weather when I didn?t have chores or studies. I wrapped my little brother up tight in the soft blanket and made him as comfortable as I could and took off quietly back toward the house. The screaming and sobs had stopped and all I could here is someone thumping around in the house. I peeked through one of the windows and saw my mother and grandmother on the floor covered in blood and not moving. I saw my big brother, my Ryo, looking through the book case and under tables and calling out my name. When he turned and faced the fire place I saw him covered in blood. He didn?t look hurt, he looked possessed. I knew he wasn?t himself, I just knew it. Ryo started yelling for me to come out he wanted to show me something. He said he had some candy for me and would give it to me if I came out. When he turned away I saw him, the thin man standing in the corner with that same grin. He was twitching his fingers about.

I knew instantly that the thin man was nothing but a daemon that had possessed my brother and that soldier. My blood boiled. He had killed my mother, and my grandmother. I have never felt a bloodlust this bad in my short time. I had been angry, sure, but this was differently. I ran into the house as hard as my little legs could carry me and went straight for the thin man. I had a small dagger I kept with me for beginner traps and other childish things. I had it drawn and had tears streaming down my face. My blood was hot and I was screaming like a banshee. I lunged for the thin man and his went big. I felt a hand close around my arm and it was Ryo, hold me in place. I was foaming at the mouth with anger and yelled ?Why Ryo, Why why did you do this to our mother and grandmother? Why??

Ryo laughed hoarsely and said ?Little sister, I did it because I can. You know I?m the strongest mage here, I simply wanted to.? Chills shot all over my body and I kicked and slashed at him with my free hand. I was so enraged I didn?t notice my brother raising his hand. Next thing I know, everything went black.

It was daylight when I woke. I was laying in the dried blood of my mother and grandmother and was horrified when I remember what happened. I ran through the cottage searching for Ryo, for anyone. I was screaming and crying and shaking and purely terrified. I remembered my little brother and ran out to him praying he was alright. I crawled into the tree and he lay there cooing and smiling. He had no clue what was going on and I wished I was a baby. I would have given my life in that instant to be a baby again. To be held by someone that loved me and to not have a care in the world.

I got him out of the tree and walked slowly toward the shops, hoping someone was there to help me. As I walked through the meek gates of the town square, I couldn?t get over how quiet it was. I was a week day, granted it was cold but the sun was high in the sky. I figured it wasn?t much past 1pm, usually the farms come in from the fields about this time for lunches and rest before finishing up for the day. Its usually very busy but it was quiet. So quiet I got chills. I walked slowly down the street and went into the first shop. "helloooo" I yelled. No answer. I walked behind the counter and saw the shop keep dead in a pool of his own blood. I almost dropped my little brother as I ran back outside.

I ran into the next shop. Same thing. Dead, behind the counter. I went to the next and the next and the next and it was the same in every shop. I made it to the far end of town and I saw my father sitting with his back to me on the ground like he was praying. I laughed with joy and called out to my father. ? daddy, daddy, Thank god your ok. Daddy! ? I ran to him and in front of him to get his attention and I nearly fainted. The entire front of my father was singed black. I ran into the next shop. Same thing. Dead, behind the counter. I went to the next and the next and the next and it was the same in every shop. I made it to the far end of town and I saw my father sitting with his back to me on the ground like he was praying. I laughed with joy and called out to my father. ? daddy, daddy, Thank god your ok. Daddy! ? I ran to him and in front of him to get his attention and I nearly fainted. The entire front of my father was singed black. You couldn’t even tell it was him. I reached out and touched his shoulder and he fell on his side. Dead. I noticed something shinny in his hand and knelt and got it. It was Ryo's necklace he had worn since he was a baby. A shaman had given it to him for protection and insurance of a long life. Anger returned and I cursed the thin man with everything I had in me. I put on Ryo's necklace, gathered a few provisions from the now dead shop keeps and set off with my little brother for the nearest town.

My little brother, Majikku, and I basically raised ourselves for some time. I took to stealing from shops at night to be able to feed him. I tried to earn money but every place I went told me I was too small, I would get hurt. So I had to steal to survive. Eventually, Majikku and I arrived in Nagnang. I could make money here. I could kill and skin rabbits and squirrels and sell the meat we didn’t eat. That's how I met Gamine. She used to buy the meat and overpay us. She knew our situation and just did it out of pure motherly instinct. She let us stay in the back of her shop. I would take whatever money I could get and buy scrolls and mage equipment. I new a little about mages because of my family were all mages. I worked very hard but could never get the hang of it. I would read the scrolls to Majikku and taught him to read that way. He is a natural mage. He has great abilities and with proper tutoring he will be the best one day. Even better than father and Ryo. With all my work on rabbits and squirrels I thought I would become a warrior. I got up enough money and bought my first sword. I’ve never looked back again until now, as I write this. I’ve never told Majikku about what has happened to us and our family. I’ve only told him that our family became terribly sick and died. Nothing as horrible and gory as it truly was. He is of a kind nature and is a sweet boy and I don’t want him growing up with this kind of anger and hate.

I’ve seen other thin men throughout my travels, but none gave off such a horrible aura as that one that took my family. Most have been attached to random nuisances and trouble makers. A few fighters in bars and inns, but mostly just general havoc causers. I’ve never seen that original thin man again, nor my brother Ryo. I know they are both still out there somewhere. I will meet up with them again and have my due.

Since Gamine took us in, we have thrived. We both live in Nagnang now and are very happy. I occasionally see a thin man loitering around the gates like they are waiting for someone. I don’t bother asking anyone if they see them anymore, because I know I’m the only one. Well the only one outside of my family that is. Turns out Gamine can see them too, and Endo, and Dewie. My new family is as weird as I am I guess.

But I don’t think Majikku can see them. He’s never brought up any strange sightings or anything like that. Maybe it’s because he doesn’t have red hair. My hair had just a sheen of red when I was younger but the older I get, the stronger I get, the redder my hair gets. I don’t know why exactly, no one else in our family had red hair. Maybe I will find out one day.

Well that's all about me, who I am, where I came from, and my new family. It's not the one I was born with maybe but they are still family. And they understand me and teach me things and one day I'll be strong enough to find that thin man again, and this time he's the one who is going to be afraid...