Post by Sabora on Oct 30, 2009 19:14:16 GMT -5
Sakimu-itsu.
“There will be a time that the army of the dead rise again, a precursor to the end of days.”
A small gathering of people are seen, all with their eyes focused on the man before them. Each person looks terrified, and yet they remain still in an orderly fashion. It is the season of All Hollow’s eve. The topic in the town of Sapporo, Japan… or around the world for that matter, is the undead.
“Their graves will be freshly dispersed, releasing the dead back into our realm. They will not share this plane with us but hunger for our extermination instead. We must defend ourselves. We must work with our neighbors and shun our closed beliefs!”
Various cheers and nods of the heads ensue. Sapporo had a history of being a loner environment, it’s people keeping to themselves whenever possible. The invasion had not reached their shores as hard as the rest of the world. Each villager was equal warrior as much as farmer and in such, were fully capable of defending themselves…. Except when the dead rose once more. Buildings as old as the lands itself had crumpled away, the atmosphere becoming despotic.
“So.. Who is with me! Who will stand against this wave of hell’s minions!”
The crowd was overwhelming, as they raised their weapons made of steel and hatred. Looking on from across the courtyard was Chris Sabora and his master.. The venerable Master Marshan Lu. Their arms were both held behind their backs. Their faces… stern.
“Chris, I fear the worst. Our people are growing into a mob. They no longer believe in the prophecy. We must reach out to them.” spoke Master Lu while shaking his head. He referred to the prophecy of “Sakimu-itsu”, or Armageddon to the rest of the world. It was written that one day, the earth would wish to cleans it’s people of sin… releasing the dead to reap the living. Only the righteous one would prevail. This person would assemble an army of his own... capable of overcoming the dead.
“Yes, Master. Perhaps you should speak to them?” responded Chris.
“No, they need to hear from a warrior, one proven in battle. Not a man of reason.”
“Then I shall be your voice.” responded Chris as he began to walk down the stone stairs of the temple. Master Lu waited and watched as Sabora split the mob in two on his path to speak amongst them all. Fighting a place of height, Chris motioned for the crowd to die down as he gained their attention.
“My people. We all know the prophecy as well as what is asked of us. The earth brings forth it’s locusts to reap the sin from it’s pours. We must not lose focus and rely on our anger to defeat this menace. Instead, we must respect the prophecy and honor it. Only the righteous will inherit the earth…”
Chris continued to speak as the crowd slowly calmed down to reason. Watching over them, Master Lu did not say a word. Time was of the essence. The dead would come for them soon and they would need to be ready in heart as well as in mind. One can not argue with fate. It happened now… and would happen again until sin was vanquished once and for all. While Master Lu was thankful that he was alive to help his people, it was the second part of the prophecy that worried him the most.
“The dead shall rise every time chaos and evil have blanketed the earth’s soil. This shall continue until the light finally shines again…..”
20 years later…
“Look, I have no idea where that road is. If you haven’t noticed, there is a fucking invasion going on??? Go use map quest or some shit! I am taking care of my own!”
I sit and watch from the driver’s side of my Camaro as the gas station attendant flees the scene. It’s comical to watch as he finally finds a vehicle that was left unlocked, only to be attacked by zombies that were waiting inside. “When did these things become patient?” I ask myself as I drive away.
My destination is simple, The Asylum. As it’s champion, I am looked upon to help lead it’s people to safety. I have another quality over the rest as well.. experience. The dark times were upon the earth once again as the dead roamed it’s fields. I remember the last time it had happened, I was in my late teens. Half of our town had been wiped out on that day. It was not until we realized that there was no stopping it, that we finally overcame it. This was fate, predestined in a time far beyond human understanding. It was always said that the dead would inherit the earth…
I pull out of the gas station and plow through a few cars to get to the freeway. Traffic is not a problem as most of the cars sit abandoned or half destroyed. The invasion had taken place awhile ago now and since then, the human race had thinned down greatly. In thirty short days, we have been hunted down like rats. Yet, just like rats, we have shown to be quite reliant to extermination.
Looking forward, I head towards The Asylum. The plan was to meet with the residents, a formation of resistance was key. I brought with me some ancient parchments from my home lands. This invasion would not be defeated by brute strength alone. Faith was key.
I reach the exit of the freeway that leads to the Asylum. Unfortunately, I would not be having an easy time leaving the freeway. The zombies had begun to morph into free thinking beings, even mutating into other breeds and forms. I would need to go through them if I was to have a chance. There was no point in joining the other remaining ruined vehicles with an attempt to smash them. Instead, I opted to add a personal touch.
Reaching into my backseat, I pull out a felt cloth and remove the sword of my elders, The Maramusa Blade. It was used during the last invasion. It heeded the call then, defending my people honorably. I would need to call upon it’s strength once more.
Immediately, the zombies rush my car. I cringe as the new yellow paint of my Camaro gets scratched and ruined. I love this car, almost like it is part of me. It was time to take a part of them as well in return.
Flinging the door open, I swing the sharp metal of the Maramusa blade as if I am cutting through paper. A zombie's head is cleaved in two. Spinning around, I slice through a few more.. making sure to aim for their vitals. Only by taking the head of the undead can you incapacitate them. I look more like the hunter now than the hunted as I send them back to the abyss.
As I press on, I notice that the zombies seem less aggressive. I go into a defensive posture, waiting for an attack. There isn’t one. There is a reason… a big one.
Slowly, I turn my head only to see something that I really wish I hadn’t. Standing before me another undead being, although slightly different. With arms the size of bazookas, it grimaces at me. It stands at least 8 feet tall and sports 4 legs instead of 2. How can this be? Why has the prophecy been altered? The dead were meant to cleans the lands… not alter it. Yet, this monstrosity was nothing I had ever seen before. It wasn’t the size of the thing that bothered me the most however. It was something worse entirely….
“There is no use in fighting back… mortal.”
I blink my eyes quickly. Did the thing just talk to me?? How is this possible?
“This world is ours! This time.. We will not be stopped!”
Originally, the zombie invasion was thought to be a virus. Something to do with an outbreak. I knew this to be false based on experiences in my youth. Yet, never had it been written that this invasion held anything in terms of common sense. I raised my sword, ready to defend myself. I knew that I never stood a chance.
It attacked quickly, tossing aside my Camaro with ease and sending it flipping end over end. I tried my best to roll out of the way but still caught the impact of it’s clawed fingers. Squirming, I rely on my lifetime of training to battle the beast off. I even managed to drive my sword into it’s right eye, spewing greenish fluid all over my face and chest.
I begin to black out as it’s iron grip encases my head and crushes me. I slice away at it’s torso, trying to bring it to it’s knees. I know to keep it’s teeth away from me, lest I become another one of the walking dead. The world begins to black out for me as I struggle only to be tossed aside and left crumpled against the side of a Hostess treat delivery truck.
The ground shakes as it chases after me, as I turn to meet it head on. I am pressed against the cold metal of the truck as the thing leans into my face. Green spit sprays against my cheeks as it speaks.. “I will take this world… and your people will not stop me this time.”
“You’re right. My people… won’t. The Asylum will.”
As the creature’s face begins to shift into an angered stare, I drive the Maramusa blade deep into it’s cranium. I twist my wrist, allowing the blade to work it’s magic as I push forward with all that I am. Finally, I feel it’s icy fingers let go as it slumps forward… falling to the earth below.
Looking up, I see that the other zombies have begun to step forward now. Some crawl, limbs too far gone to carry their own weight. Others barely hampered, looking to add me to their ranks. Rising to my feet, I raise my sword yet again. I am covered in blood and green ooze. I must fight on though. I need to get to the Asylum and help with the cause… even if I have to go through a freeway filled with the undead’s worst to do so.
I will fulfill Sakimu-itsu.
