The Curse-Bearer

“ Reniko Doraki!” Came the loud yell. Despite the afternoon heat, Reniko shivered. He was standing in the school’s courtyard with ten other children. He had been summoned there for discipline for a week of low marks. The kid who had received his lashes prior was moved from the pole, having passed out. Reniko stepped forward slowly, dreading what was to come.

His wrists were seized by a Shadow Warden and tied to the wooden pole in the courtyard’s center. Reniko didn’t bother to resist; the punishment had been worse for those that had. The back of his kimono was torn open, and he grimaced, bracing himself for the pain.

“ For poor performance in the classroom this week, Reniko Doraki, you will receive fifteen-“ A Shadow Warden started, but a different voice interrupted.

“ Double the lashes for this one.” Reniko tended, recognizing the voice of his grandfather.

“ Uh, yes, Grandmaster,” The Shadow Warden said, then started over. “ Reniko Doraki, for poor performance in the classroom this week, you will receive thirty lashes. Remember, pain is not punishment but the greatest motivator.”

Motivator. Right. Reniko thought dryly. He cried out in agony as he felt the whip bite his exposed flesh. Pain raced through his body like fire as the whip struck him again and again. Reniko felt blood begin to trickle down his back; each stroke sent waves of agony throughout his body. By the stars, how will I endure thirty strikes?

When Reniko came to, he was lying on his side in the shade of a massive oak tree. He grimaced as he moved; every part of his torso felt like someone had pierced it with an arrow.

“ You finally came to. I was worried,” he heard a quiet voice say. Reniko turned his head to the left to see a small child with a broad face with a round chin, a small nose, small ears, hollow cheeks, shaggy blonde hair, and full lips. His brown eyes were round, and he had thick eyebrows.

“ Who are you?” Reniko asked.

“ Ishino Norinaga,” the other child replied. Reniko couldn’t help but gape at him. He knew that name; everyone did. The Cursed One, the child, has gotten that moniker from the time he was born. Like Reniko’s father, Ishino’s father died in battle. However, unlike Reniko, Ishino’s mother had died in childbirth. In all the clans of the Meideir, there were few things seen as bad as one’s mother dying in childbirth. Those children were known as the Sephouk, the word for Undesirables.

They were seen as bad omens, a foretelling of dark times ahead. Thus the Sephouk were neglected, forced to live on the streets. It was considered taboo to even associate with one.

“ How long have I been here?” Reniko asked cautiously. Ishino shrugged.

“ Well, everyone else has been punished and gone back inside. So it has been a while; I believe you’ve missed the midday meal. Here,” he said, handing Reniko two rice cakes.

“ Thank you,” Reniko said while taking them. He knew what his grandfather would say if he saw him talking to this kid. But Reniko wasn’t about to belittle this kid after he had just helped him. “ Were you punished too?” He asked. Ishino shook his head.

“ No, I just like to come out here and meditate. I find it more peaceful than inside the Academy.” Reniko munched on the rice cakes, wishing he had some tea to go with them.

“ Thanks again,” he said, getting to his feet, his sore body shrieking in protest. “ I suppose we should go to the next lesson,”

“ I do grow weary of the Master’s babbling, but I have no desire to be whipped, and I’m sure you’ve had enough of that for the day,” he said with a smile. Reniko grunted his agreement, and the two entered the Academy, making it just in time for the next lesson. Master Moriyari glared at the two boys, annoyed they had walked in the instruction room as he was about to begin.

“ Since you two don’t wish to be here earlier, you can clean the entire first floor at the end of lessons today,” he said, glaring at them. Reniko bit back a curse as he took his seat in the instruction room. Master Moriyari’s gaze lingered on him for a moment longer, then cleared his throat.

“ Since you want to arrive right as I’m ready to start the lesson, Mister Doraki, why don’t you name all the clans of the Meideir?” Reniko hesitantly stood up, hoping he didn’t forget something.

“ Well... there’s our clan, the Udodori. Then there’s our sworn rivals, the Kappa.” Master Moriyari scowled at that and muttered a few choice words under his breath. “ And then there are the Kaminari Clan who are currently our allies. Then there’s the Nichiren Clan, the Miyazu Clan, the Imazuma Clan, the Tenjin Clan, and then there’s the….'' Reniko trailed off, trying to think of the last one. “ The...Amanozako Clsn, if they even exist.”

“ Oh, they exist alright,” Master Moriyori growled. “ Well done, Mister Doraki. I do believe this is the first time you did something correct since coming to the Academy. I’m sure your esteemed grandfather will be pleased to know his kin isn’t a total fool.” Reniko sat back down, feeling his face burn slightly. Did he have to bring up my poor performance thus far?

“ Now, on to the Amanozako Clan. They are known as the Forbidden Clan. They live in a system of caverns in an unknown part of Nashanna. They are vile and heartless, living only to kill. Those who enter their territory are never heard from again. They are known to take on the rejected Initiates of other clans, which is how they keep such a fresh supply of warriors. So don’t worry, when you fail, perhaps they will take you in. But I doubt it,” Master Moriyari said, looking at several of them, Reniko included.

Master Moriyari continued with the lesson, lecturing his class on the previous war with the Kappa Clan that led to the death of the previous Usodori Khan. Reniko tried his best to pay attention to the class, but his mind reflected the six months he had spent at the Academy. Aside from his lessons, his Grandfather had kept himself after, forcing him to go through extra training, not content to let Reniko be behind in the class. Reniko was good in the academic portion, but he was at the bottom of the class when it came to combat. He was jolted from his thoughts when he heard his grandfather’s voice.

“ Everyone, listen up!” Reniko looked at the entrance to meet his Grandfather’s stare. The Grandmaster looked around with his intense stare. “ The time has come for your First Trial.” A collective gasp rose on the room. The trials of the academy, the actual tests. Dangerous and unpredictable, Shadow Wardens often told stories of the terrors of the trials.

“ Surely we are not ready!” A female Initiate protested.

“ Silence!” The Grandmaster roared, glaring at the girl who had dared speak out of turn. “ You are ready when I say you’re ready. Now listen well because I am only going to say this once.” The class waited in nervous silence as the Grandmaster cleared his throat.

“ There is a crypt where Khans of the past and heroes of our clan are laid to rest. You will spend the night in this crypt.” The Grandmaster paused to look at the Initiates. “ And yes, Modopa’s wander the halls, and they’d love to devour children such as yourself. So you’ll be taking weaponry with you.” Reniko shivered at that. Modopa’s. Grotesque withered creatures with too many teeth that were typically found on crypts, munching on their favorite food of rotting flesh. Reniko had heard many stories about them that kept him awake from fright.

“ You’ll be given one stainless steel sword each. Come by the forge to collect them. If you survive the night yet lose your weapon, you’ll be scrubbing floors for the rest of the year. You have exactly one hour to prepare yourself and gather in the courtyard.” The Grandmaster whirled around and exited the instruction room. Master Moriyari rolled up a scroll.

“ You’re free to leave,” he said. “ Good luck, although I suspect this will be the last time I see many of you,” he said, looking at Reniko. Reniko left the instruction room, mumbling under his breath. What did I ever do to him? He asked himself. He descended a few flights of stairs that led to the Academy forge. He heard the sound of a hammer striking steel and felt the heat of the fire.

The forge was small and cramped. Along with a forge, there was a bronze smelter and tanning rack. Weaponry and armor adjourned the small room. The blacksmith was large, 6ft 7, fat and bald. He had a bushy red beard and twinkling green eyes. He wore a stained blacksmith’s apron over brown pants and a white shirt.

“ What can I do for you, lad?” The blacksmith asked in a hoarse, rough voice.

“ Um, I need a sword. For my trial,” Reniko said.

“ Ah yes,” the blacksmith said, pulling a sword from the forge and sticking it in a bucket of water. Steam poured from the bucket as the water sizzled. He pulled the sword out of the water and examined it. “ This one’s a beauty,” he said, handing the sword to Reniko. This sword had a blade with a black hue to it, styled to resemble a wave. Its pommel bore a single pearl. It was well balanced in his hand, like the training blades Reniko used during training. Reniko swung the blade a few times before sheathing his sword.

“ Good luck, lad. I remember my own days at the Academy. Of course, I dropped out after my third trial.”

“ Why?” Reniko inquired. The blacksmith sighed.

“ It was just too much. I lost all my friends I grew up with, everyone around me bricking hardened killers. That’s the goal of this academy, to take young children and turn them into killers. It’s rough, lad. Good luck.” Reniko nodded his thanks and left the forge to grab his bedroll.

Half an hour later, Reniko walked on a jagged and steep mountain path with his bedroll and bag with essential survival supplies. The troop of Initiates followed Master Moriyari up the trail. They had been following the route through the lush and thick forest for six hours, stopping only twice. The day’s heat had ebbed away, making the evening cool. Finally, they came to an old graveyard with a dozen paces behind it.

The group started to walk through the graveyard, Reniko looking at the headstones.

“ Buried here are Initiates that have died in battle before completing their training,” Master Moriyari said. “ No doubt many of you will die here tonight.”

“ Forgive me, Master,” Ishino asked. “ But will the Modopa truly kill us?”

“ Perhaps, but perhaps not,” Master Moriyari said. “ They tend to be further down in the crypt, so if you stay in the main chamber, you should be fine. But they’re terribly unpredictable, and while they prefer rotting meat, they do so enjoy devouring the living.” Reniko gulped as he continued to walk to the crypt. By the moon and stars, what will become of us tonight?

A massive overgrown boulder in a misty boulder field marks the entrance to the crypt. One by one, they filed inside. Beyond the overgrown boulder lies a massive, broken room. It was covered in small bones, small bones, and ash. Reniko’s eyes flickered to look at the skeletons and triggered traps, most likely grave robbers.

“ Well, make yourselves at home,” Master Moriyari said with a smug smile. “ I shall return for you at first light. Anyone who is here will be welcomed back to the Academy. Those who are not will longer be welcome.” And with that, Master Moriyari spun around and walked out of the crypt. The Initiates stood there, no one saying a word, unsure what to do.

“ Well… we may as well try and start a fire,” Reniko said after a few moments. With no one having a better idea, the Initiates worked togas to get a fire going. With no food or water, the Initiates sat down around the fire cross-legged. No one said anything, just looked at the flames. Reniko wanted to break the silence but couldn’t bring himself to. He jumped when he heard a moaning sound, along with the rest of them.

The jumpy Initiates drew their swords and looked around nervously. Reniko could feel his heart hammer in his chest. After a few moments, one of the Initiates spoke up.

“ You think that was a Modopa?” Ishino shook his head.

“ No. I doubt they know we’re here. You heard Master Moriyari. They hardly venture here; if one were nearby, we’d know by now.” The others settled back down but nervously looked around. After a few more moments of silence, one of the female Initiates started to hum. It was a tune Reniko knew well, The Ballad of the Curse-Bearer. One of the many songs that had been drilled into their heads. The others picked up on the tune and began to follow suit.

“ When evil engulfs the land, the Curse-Bearer will come,” Reniko softly sang out. After a few moments, Ishino sang out as well.

“ When time class for man to make its final stand, the Curse-Bearer will come.” The other Initiates began to sing as well, the song quickening from a slow, deliberate pace.

“ Honor to the Curse-Bearer… Honor to the Curse-Bearer…. Honor to the Curse-Bearer. Beware of the jester whom shall betray you, the false lover that shall deceive you. The brother sent to you from among high, The one for you shall he die. A choice that shall be made on New Day’s eve. Humanity or the truth only you shall see. The one whom bears the curse of Alloran. Cursed to die alone in Limbo’s sand.” The song grew louder and louder.

“ The endless war between the Curse-Bearer and the Exiled Lord! Of the truth, all shall learn, but one must burn! The earth shall be baptized in blood and fire, and salvation can only be gained from the Curse-Bearer!” The initiates we’re making a makeshift beat with their canteens, slamming them on the stone floor.

“ The Curse-Bearer is coming; Alloran’s shade comes one day. And with gratitude upon our tongues, it is endless praise we’ll say! The Curse-Bearer! The Curse Bearer! The-“

How interesssssssting,” came a low hissing voice causing the Initiates to stop their song and turn their heads left. What Reniko saw caused him to tremble. A humanoid figure with the head and neck of a cobra. Wearing heavy black steel armor, mace, and shield. “ You all know the ssssssssssong. And yet, none can underssssssstsnd the Old Tongue.”

“ Who are you?” Ishino asked, standing to his feet, sword at the ready. “ And why are you here? This is Usodori territory!” Reniko could tell he was scared by his shaking hands. Yet, he still tried to appear brave to this stranger. The stranger tilted his head back and hissed loudly. sounding like high-pitched hissing, it looked to Reniko like this creature was laughing.

“ Dear boy, you dare claim ownersssssssship of anything on thisssssssss land? I am much older than everyone you know combined. For I am Brassssssssstag, loyal soldier of hissssssssss great majesssssssty, Kimura.”

“ Brastag? That’s a Rur’khar name!” One of the Initiates said, her eyes wide with fear.

“ Rur’khar? But those are all sealed away!” Reniko whispered back. The one call Brastag laughed.

“ Foolissssssh children! We were not all ssssssssealed! I have been lying low for centuriessssssss, awaiting the return of the Ccccccccursssssssse- Bearer. For when Alloran’ssssssss Penanccccccce returnsssssss, sssssso sssssssshall Lord Kimura!”

“ What do you mean?” Ishino asked, wavered in his voice. “ The Curse-Bearer is not among us!” Brastag laughed once again.

“ That isssssssssss where you are wrong, little one. The Cccccccursssssssse-Bearer issssssss in thisssssss very crypt,” he said, looking at Reniko. Before Reniko could say anything, Brastag hissed. His neck began to grow and extended from the rest of his body. It writhed and thrashed like an angry serpent. Reniko stood rooted to the spot, dropping his sword as he stared. He couldn’t move, couldn’t think, wasn’t even aware of his surroundings. It was as if he had turned to stone. Brastag laughed, his snakehead flinging towards him, fangs out. “ Die, Bearer of all Ccccccccurssssssssesssss!”

Reniko let out a wail of agony as Brastag’s fangs sank into his neck. It felt like someone had poured molten lava and freezing ice into his body at the same time. He fell first to his knees, then fell face down. He was aware of screams of terror and strange gurgling sounds, but he was unable to move. Am I… dead?

Reniko found himself in a foggy forest clearing, so foggy that he could barely make out his hand in front of his face.

“ Hello?” he asked, cautiously walking forward. After a dozen or so paces, he was interrupted by a bright light. Reniko shielded his eyes until the glare lessened in intensity.

“ Reniko Doraki,” called a heavenly woman’s voice.

“ Yes?” Reniko asked. This is it. I must have died. And now, I am being led to the Great Halls.

“ Do not be afraid, dear one. I am Merdera. You are a special child indeed. Through you, humanity shall fall or prosper. Just know, I shall guide you whenever you need it, for you are the Curse-Bearer, the Penance of Alloran. And you are the only one who can defeat Kimura and his horde of Rur’khar.” Reniko’s eyes opened wide.

“ Me? The Curse-Bearer? There must be some mistake! I can’t be The Curse-Bearer!”

“ Hush, child. This is what Fate has deemed for you. Do not worry, for I shall be with you forever.” As she said that, Reniko was reminded of his mother. Mother! Reniko thought with a jolt. He couldn’t die now! What if this, Brastag went after his clan next? After his mother?

“ Go now, my child, and let it be known The Bearer of Curses has returned.” Reniko’s eyes fluttered open, back to the crypt. The smell of fresh blood wafted in his nostrils. He slowly stood up, feeling different. He could feel more Spirit Energy surging in him, more than he had ever felt before. It felt… good. Not even the sight of the motionless bodies of Reniko’s fellow Initiates was enough to distract him. Brastag had Ishino by the throat and was about to plunge his pace into the child’s stomach but stopped when he noticed Reniko.

“ How can thisssssssss be?!” He demanded, dropping Ishino. “ How could you have sssssssssurvived?!” Reniko said nothing, just grabbed the sword he had dropped and leveled it at the Rur’khar, who backed up looking frightened. “ Damn your blood, boy! It’s that damned Holy Mother, the Keeper of Bearer, Merdera!” He hissed angrily. “ No matter! I sssssssssssshall kill you now.”

Reniko could feel a large amount of Forhal coursing through his veins as he swung the sword once. A wave of dark red magical energy engulfed Barstag, causing him to yell in pure agony, the crypt engulfed in light. Reniko stood the victor, Barstag having been reduced to ashes. Then, the boy staggered and fell unconscious.