This post marks the beginning and end of another solo mission.
Summary: After the small scuffle with the animals (story above), Raiden was extremely tired and had to stop to rest. It seems the red fever really was wearing him down. Unknown to him, he was actually poisoned from mingling with the creatures. The poison isn’t any typical one, instead it made Raiden bring up memories he pushed to the back of his mind through dreaming. In this dream, he revisits some years ago when he was still traveling the ninja world after slaughtering several villages. He'll further go back to his past life as time goes on (other missions)
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It seemed the dried-up lakebed was a never-ending wasteland. Raiden was extremely tired from the long traveling and not eating for a while, so he decided to take shelter, to gather up his stamina once more. He climbed up on an abandon vessel and laid down.
(Entering dream/flash back)
Suddenly something up ahead caught the attention of Raiden. It was fast and it kept moving side to side and around. Raiden lowered his stance and grip the hilt of his sword tightly, awaiting whatever it is to come at him. He would look to the right, to the left and in the sky over and over to determine the direction it’s going to come from. When without warning, it was already in front of him. Such speed and quickness. Raiden's eyes widen as some sort of beast came charging directly at him. Ramming and moving straight through Raiden. Pushing him to the ground like a kid. He did not even have time to react to the creature, but the creature appeared to not have time to play with Raiden either. It simply continued in the direction of a small village raiden passed on his journey. Deciding this journey of his was not important right now, Raiden began to follow the beast. Heading back the same direction he came from.
The beast moved with such speed Raiden lost track of it. All he could have heard were screams and explosions ahead of him. From the villagers no doubt. But it in a slightly different direction, a new direction that Raiden took now.
Upon reaching the location Raiden realized that the explosions and screams he was hearing was not from the villagers from earlier.... it wasn't even from them. Several dead bodies laid out in the opening. The group appeared to be simple civilians that were hunting for food. Killed by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Raiden walked around the group and touched them with his sword one by one to see if any were alive. Unfortunately, all of them were long gone. Many with deep gashes and lost limbs. It was a slaughter fest.
"Yo-YOU did this?!"
A voice shouted out from the distance at Raiden. Turning to the voice, Raiden now saw the same villagers from before. It seems they too heard the noises and came to investigate.
"Report back to the village, place bounty on this man's head! The White Devil!!"
Shouted from whom seem to be the head of the group. Raiden was now the one at the wrong place at the wrong time. Receiving the blame for the death of all these people. He could not even defend himself. His sword was out, it had blood all over it from checking up on the bodies and what’s worse is that the wounds of the fallen were all cuts. Cuts and deep gashes that could have been delivered from a sword.
"Well...I guess this is where you try and kill me right?"
Raiden mockingly said to the ‘head villager’ with a wicked smirk on his face.
"Why you....GET HIM! And page in on our location at home"
The majority of the villagers took the order and began rushing at Raiden with their swords and axes. There was no point in talking to them or explaining the situation. They were all idiots and would never think twice Raiden thought as he took on a fighting stance. Spreading out his legs to lower his stance with his sword in hand. He did not need his ninjutsu powers for now.
As the first villager came within striking distance Raiden would parry his sword strike and push him off balance. In on fluid motion Raiden would spin on his right heel with his blade extended out to slice the man's throat. The other would come and would follow his comrade in the same death manner. One by one all of them were cut down as Raiden proceeded forward slowly to reach the head villager. None of them were even a threat and Raiden didn't require much effort. Finally, Raiden reached the head villager with a large amount of dead bodies slain behind him. The few villagers around him were obviously scared but the head one didn't show an ounce of fear for now. That was surely going to change sooner or later. The villagers were about to approach Raiden but the head stopped them by placing his hand out, signaling them to step back.
"You will suffer for killing my men! Do NOT think you will leave this area on your own free will"
The head villager continued to talk as he slowly began to step forward, unbuttoning his jacket. As he did so, Raiden realize that this man himself was huge in body and quite muscular. Maybe he would prove to be a better fighter than expected.
"Hmm maybe you won't die as easily as your underlings.."
The comment alone obviously angered the man as he charged in full force to strike down Raiden. He expected the bulky man to rush in like a bull and so Raiden simply side step and spun around with his blade coming around first to cut him at the side. But to his surprise, the man quickly tilted his body quickly and delivered a strong blow to Raiden's torso before the blade could hit. This caught Raiden off guard as he was sent back a few feet. Raiden quickly stabbed his sword into the ground to stop his backward movement. A man of such size moving at that speed would surely be dangerous if he wasn't careful.
"Keep your guard up! Haaaah!!!"
Just like that the man was in front of him again. Raiden didn't have time to dodge. All he could have done was to try and block the man's fist with his blade. The power of the man caused Raiden's feet to sink into the ground. He was truly strong and fast for his size.
"I'm going to have FUN slicing you open and sending your head back to your family!"
Raiden said to the villager as he began to laugh devilishly to mock the villager. Which angered him more. The villager brought up his hand and clench them both together to bring it down back like a hammer. This was the opening Raiden needed. He was wide open! Deciding to go all out for this strike, Raiden throw his blade up as a distraction. He would then leap into the air and spin around to hit the man directly in his chest with a reverse heel strike. The devastating blow knock the wind out of the villager as he was sent flying back into a tree. Raiden quickly followed up by grabbing back his sword and charging at the man before he could come to. With a couple swing of his blade Raiden sliced the man up. Cutting him around the jointed part to halt his movement and do everything but kill him. With his sword in one hand Raiden used the free hand to grab the villager by his hair on the head and drag him a bit closer to the remaining villagers. The ones that were alive. Raiden was tired of these pesky men following and chasing him as he came to this land.
"This is your leader? He was child's play so don't you dare try and fight for him anymore."
Raiden successfully captured the head villager. He knew this man could be useful, so he didn't intend to kill him off yet. Raiden required certain information.
"You...you can speak right?"
Raiden said as he placed the blade to the neck of the head villager. The villager grunted and spat out blood to the side before replying.
"Just kill me already. I failed my comrades. I won't show my face back home. I cannot".
"You had such confidence earlier and now it’s all gone. Weaklings like you don't deserve to live in this world anymore"
Raiden said as he pulled his blade back and push the villager head into the ground, stomping down on the man's head with left foot while taunting him and the rest even more.
"You all will be my informants for now. I have some questions and I don't have the time or patience, so answer immediately"
Raiden said to all of them while lifting the head villager up to a seating position and placing the sword back to his neck.
"Firstly, how do you all know me?"
"W-well you killed some civilians and some of our village brothers some months back. There is a bounty on your head..."
Raiden tilted his head in amusement. How cute. He smirked before he began speaking.
"Go on.."
"Well that’s about it really. They want you dead or alive for your actions. Our boss over there already informed the village of the action you did here so more villagers probably comin-"
"SHUT THE **** UP SOLIDER!"
The head villager shouted. The rookie was spewing information that wasn't needed but Raiden appreciated it.
"So more of you guys are coming huh... interesting. Tell me, is there somewhere I can go for now to continue to test my power? Free of you villager scum bags."
One of the villagers pointed in the same direction Raiden was heading. The same direction he assumed the beast went.
"Over in that direction, a large town that is a mostly lawless zone which has no prisons. The town hosts a mixture of shinobis and missing-nin. The center of town is home to a very large tower with the top of it holding a huge stone head whose mouth makes for a very scenic view is one is brave enough to make the 80 meter climb to the top."
"Its where our boss came from!"
The other villager added in as the head villager smiled and looked away. The place peak Raiden's interest. But what to do with these villagers he thought. He had no use for them now. But before deciding to let them go, Raiden wanted to send a message to their village.
"Very well. I'll let you all go. Go back to your families and cherish them! Don't come looking for me."
Raiden said as he moved the blade from the neck of the head villager.
"But there is one more thing I require. I want you all to report back home that if anyone else dares to come my way again, I'll make it my goal to destroy them all!"
He said as he gripped the head villager harder, and his him in the back of the head, knocking the man out cold. Raiden followed up by delivering one quick swing of his sword, cutting off his head and spinning around to kick it back at his subordinates.
"Return with that parting gift"
Were Raiden's final words as he swung his sword to get rid of the blood on the blade before sheathing it. He was done here and so he headed off.
~Few hours later~
The large tower can be seen in the horizon as Raiden continued his travel. The tower fit the description that the villager gave so he was definitely heading in the right direction. Arriving to the law less town, Raiden could see drunken people laying around, screams being heard and the smell of blood all around. It seems this town is filled with wild and strong individuals of all sizes Raiden thought as he continued to survey the area before proceeding deeper within. He had one goal in mind, and nothing was going to stop him right now.
Raiden continued to venture deep into the law less town, gathering information as he continued along. It came to the point that Raiden was informed about a mob boss that ruled over most of the town. He was surrounded by his own personal guards due to the treasure from within. Deciding to take a different tactic this time, Raiden waited until darkness came over the town. Using his assassin like skills, Raiden infiltrated the mob boss' safe house with ease. It was too easy Raiden thought as he kept his guard up while searching. Suddenly, the lights flicked on and he saw several of the guards around him. It was a trap.
"I guess those villagers do come in handy now and again keh keh keh"
The voice from the shadows echoed through the building as the mob boss came through the crowd.
"I received a tip that a strong warrior was heading to MY KINGDOM. For such a threat to the villager you seem quite foolish to just walk on in here... do you know who I am boy?!"
Raiden glared at the man as he called him a boy.
"Boy?"
"Yes! Only a foolish brat would dare step foot here. Now you'll suffer!"
The mob boss said as he snapped his finger twice. Suddenly, the entire place began to twirl around. It was some trance or magic. Then suddenly Raiden collapsed to the ground.
(Entering a Flash back)
He was awakened by the sound of rain and the cold water hitting his back. He slowly lifted himself up, hands and knees on the ground. Raiden shook his head rapidly to regain his senses fully. He was battered and bruise. As he opened his eyes all he saw was himself from the reflection of the small amount of water on the ground.
"The name is monsoon....of the winds of destruction"
A voice from above said as it lept off the building in front of Raiden. Landing on the ground in a heroic fashion as Raiden simply watches.
"Feasting on the insides of your enemies... how easily you ignore the loss of life when it suits your convenience."
Monsoon said to the grounded and weak Raiden.
"So tell me; who saves the weak from the man who saves the weak?"
A momentary pause ensued before Raiden replied.
"You're the one exploiting them. You take advantage of their weakness..."
Raiden then began to rise up slowly, lifting up off one knee.
"Of course they get hurt when you set them up as your human shield."
"Kill or be killed, Jack."
Monsoon said as he looked up into the rain. Allowing the water to run down his body.
"Our father taught me that!"
(Exiting the flashback)
Raiden was suddenly out of the trance in pain, twisting and turning as he held his head. The trance was but a second, but it felt like longer. Raiden began screaming in agony. He wondered what kind of trick was this man playing in him or was those his real memories of his past?
(Back into the flashback)
"Yes. You aren't the only one to grow up on the killing fields brother. War is a cruel parent, but an effective teacher. Its final lesson is carved deep in my psyche: 'That this world, and all its people, are diseased.' Free will is a myth. Religion is a JOKE! We are all pawns, controlled by something greater: Memes. The DNA of the soul."
Monsoon exhaled as he walks around Raiden.
"You see..they shape our will. They are the culture -- they are everything we pass on. Expose someone to anger long enough, they will learn to HATE. They become a carrier, brother! Envy, greed, despair. All memes, all passed along."
"How about full of shit.. is that a meme?!?"
Raiden interupted with a question, mocking Monsoon and his speech. Angering the man even more.
"You can't fight nature Jack..."
Monsoon said as he took out his weapons and began swinging them in his hands.
"Wind blows, rain falls, and the strong prey upon the weak. Sam tells me you see your weapon as a tool. Something that saves lives -- a means of justice.... now there's a pretty meme. Exquisite!"
Monsoon walked back as he continued to spew words.
"It’s spared you the burden of all the lives you've taken... absolved you of guilt when you enjoyed it. That is, until the illusion was broken. Don't be ashamed. Its only nature, in OUR nature running its course. You have no choices to make. Nothing to answer for. You can die with a clear conscience brother."
Raiden lifted his head and looked up in the sky. He not only soaked in all the words from his 'brother' but the smoothness of the water running down his body. It placed his body and mind at ease.
"You're right. About me, I mean."
Monsoon gave a shocked look to Raiden. He wasn't expecting an answer like that.
"I knew something was....off. After Father's organization plans ended, I thought I could walk off the battle field and into a normal life. But here I am, surrounded by death, arguing philosophy with foolish shinobis. I told myself this was about justice. About protecting the weak. But I was wrong."
"Heh heh heh. Then you admit it?"
Monsoon intervened.
"I learned that young that killing your enemies felt good. When I left father's organization, I founded a new family. They help me forget the devil inside. But...."
Raiden gritted his teeth and he clenched his right fist.
"But who am I kidding? I was created to KILL!!"
Raiden shouted as he slammed his fist into the ground, cracking it slightly. Monsoon left in shock stepped back a bit as he continued to listen.
"The bit about my sword -- that 'means of justice' stuff? I guess i needed something to keep 'The Ripper' in check when I was knee deep in bodies."
"You?"
Monsoon questioned.
"But you -- all this -- is a wake up call to what I really believe."
Raiden continued quickly, before giving monsoon a chance to speak.
"What I really am."
"What are you saying, Jack?"
Raiden smirked as he looked at Monsoon
"I'm saying Jack is BACK!"
Raiden said as he finally got up to his feet. He was greeted by two small daggers Monsoon immediately threw at Raiden. Both successfully impaling Raiden in the chest region. Instead of screeching in pain, Raiden instead began to laugh. As if he was welcoming the pain. The blood coming out was like a sight of happiness for him. The once forgotten Jack The Ripper was back! Raiden's devilish laugh began to echo throughout the area. Monsoon was obviously a bit scared at this mad man. The pain and blood was giving him a sort of happiness.
"Pain....this is why I fight."
Raiden then followed up by ripping out the two daggers and flinging them both to the side and unsheathing his own sword. With blood all over him he was in a bad spot. He was losing blood and fast.
"This is my normal, Monsoon. My true nature."
"You've lost your mind...."
Monsoon said as he sees Raiden slowly walking towards him and laughing.
"I've misjudged you. You are like us after all."
"That Jack the Ripper nickname that you love so much... wanna know how I got it? Actually -- why don't I give you a demonstration?"
Raiden said as he took in a fighting stance with sword in hand.
"I think it's time for Jack....TO LET 'ER RIP!!!"
Raiden shouted as he charged into Monsoon to engage in battle.
Blows after blows Raiden exchanged strikes with his shinobi brother. Raiden was obviously exhausted and weak. He was on his last, but his anger and devil side continued to push him. It gave him a slight confidence to continue the fight. Despite receiving several hits, he continued to fight. The more he got hit, the more blood he saw. This pumped his adrenaline levels to its maximum level. Raiden was a wolf on a mission, and he couldn't be stop but Monsoon also seemed perfect. As if he was a flawless creation. A perfect warrior that made no mistake until he did one thing in which Raiden capitalized on. Allowing Raiden to deliver a decisive blow but at the cost of getting impaled by Monsoon's short sword. The fight was long and drawn out but miraculously, Raiden came out on top. He stood over his half dead bother with his blade pointed at his head. He was weak and couldn't go on any longer. He was on his dying bed, but he continued to talk for some reason.
"Kill...or be killed..."
"Don't be ashame monsoon. It's only nature, running its course. Your MEMES end here..."
Raiden mockingly said to his dying brother.
"No.. I passed one... to you... sure as the sun.. ( * coughing up blood * ).. will rise... the slaughter... will continue... "
A bit confused by his speech; Raiden allowed him to continue just for a bit longer.
"Now I return... to the earth... Wind blows, rain falls... the strong... prey... on the weak... all is as it should.... be"
Before he could say one more word Raiden stab the tip of his blade into the center of Monsoon's head. Dealing one final blow to end his talk. As this happened, Raiden fell to the ground. He didn't have the energy to continue on. He was mentally and physically exhausted.
(Exiting flash back)
Once more he came too but as he did, the mob boss and his guards were seemingly distracted. Raiden used this as a means to escape for now to later return and exact his revenge. The man did something for him though, and that was unlock a certain part of his memory that was seemingly gone.
*Gasps*
Raiden suddenly jumped up from that deep sleep, sweat running all over his body. He looked at his hand. He was poisoned. His body has been infiltrated by something other than the red fever sickness. Due to his clan abilities, he knew this about his body. Utilizing a further ability of his clan, he would use his chakra to erase the poison. He wasn’t sure how or when he received the poison but that was behind him now. Instead, he simply stood up and continued his journey in search for the red fever cure.
-End.