One, after another, after another. They were dropping like flies. For the first time he felt fear, more than two thirds of his kinsmen had already been slain at the hands of the madmen. How could such a feat be possible? They were only 3! And yet, it was unfolding before him. Around him, were strewn, bodies, limbs, blood. Through eyes, wild with terror, the warrior looked back to the 3. What had brought such a curse upon his people? Had the Shi sent them? No, that was impossible! The Shi were stupid, peaceful. Yet the truth lay before him, the message written on the transfixed gaze of his dead brethren. NO!!! The Abomination! It was coming!!! The last thing that went through his mind was his teeth.
They waded through the Iga like a plague. Weak. In no way a match for their new found powers. This... was the Dark Side... In matter of moments, there were only 10 of them left. The blood-curdling screams filled the mid-day landscape. By the time night had blanketed over the land, there were only three left standing, red blades blazing through the darkness, offering the only light.
That day, at the massacre of Kaeda, three slaughtered 3,701. But that was only the first of the great scourge of Kunio. The planet of Kunio was consisted of one prominent continent. It was a lush, pleasurable world, with ripe vegetation, four seasons, and favorable conditions. Its main continent was consisted of 3 regions. Kaeda, Odagiri, and Shonan. Two major clans lived inhabited Kunio. The Iga and the Shi. Both, had attributes far superior to humans. Stronger, faster, intelligent. The Shi, were peaceful. Utilizing their skills in various studies, sports. The Iga, were a violent people. Training their children in the way of the assassin, the mercenary. The arts of war were a necessity for Iga children. With these ways, the Iga had already conquered Kaeda, and Odagiri in the process, driving out many of the native people. Shonan, would also soon be theirs. The Shi were also strong in the martial arts, but they would not stand against the superior weapons of the Iga. Yet the Iga waited, bided their time. Occasionally, the troublesome youngsters would rape a Shi woman, or pillage the smaller towns laying the outskirts. Yet the Iga had made a mistake. They should have struck against Shonan while the tide was their way. They shouldn't have underestimated the sons of the Shonan. But they soon found out, with the coming of the Brothers Shi.
Juniho Shi was the oldest of the three. Entering the Jedi Order at a young age, he rose through the ranks at preposterous age, receiving the title ship of Jedi Master at an age thought ridiculous. This was only possible, through the Kunian blood running through his veins, and the peaceful teachings of his elders, the Shi. Their parents, had long before fell at the hands of the Iga. Although somewhat quiet, and not very social, Juniho was well liked, taking care of his brothers, as his love was immense. His hate for the Iga ran deep, but through his Jedi Master, the young Juniho learned to let go. Until the incident.
Corrose Shi, was not as successful with life as his older brother. Always the brunt end of the teasing of other children, as they were cruel in their naivety, Corrose lived the life of a recluse. In the end, this would be the determining factor in his rebirth. The trials of his childhood, added to the hate of the Iga. Yet Corrose had always held himself back from doing anything drastic. The only thing that had restricted, him was his brother, so gallant in his Jedi robes. How so he wanted to be a Jedi. And it would seem that his dream would be fulfilled... Juniho took Corrose to Coruscant, asking permission for his young brother to be taken as his padawan. In a sense, the Iga would prove to be the downfall of the brothers Shi. Corrose's hate was far too pure, and undiluted, unable to lose it as Juniho had. The Council, of course, rejected the young boy. He ran out of the Council chambers, tears streaming down his face. And he disappeared.
The saving grace of the three siblings, was, and always will be Morpheus, the youngest. By far, the most jovial, he was always well liked, charm and wit both on his side. When Corrose left Coruscant, never to return, Morpheus was the only thing that held his oldest brother from slipping into the reaches of insanity. That all changed when the news of Corrose's apparent death had reached Kunio. Even Morpheus could not stop Juniho's descent into the Dark Side, and instead, he joined his brother.
The sweet flavor of the apple careened against the walls of his mouth, lavishing his tasted buds as he vigorously chewed. He sat, propped against a tree, a rare moment to relax. Apples grew rampart on Kunio, and Loki had always enjoyed the delicacies that they presented, from his childhood and even now. Spread around him, were several more bodies in various stages of decay. The Iga had been foolish enough to actually think that they could try their luck against him. It would seem that they were taking action, instead of sitting in their houses, waiting to be desecrated. It was no use, of course. The soft gust of wind pushing against him, he savors it, and takes another crisp bite from the fruit. In pure reflex, his fingers wrap around the shaft of his light-scythe, as the presence of a living thing is felt near. Trained eyes snap to and pinpoint the originator, and the Sith quirks an eyebrow at the discovery. A few meters from him, a majestic creature, a rather large wolf-dog, with blazing black and white fur sits, curiously looking towards him. Letting his weapon fall propped back against the tree trunk, Loki studies the animal. He had always wanted a pet... Snapping the apple into two pieces, he tosses the larger piece to the dog, who must have been famished, for he eats without discretion. Loki stands, seemingly losing interest in his own snack, he tosses it away, giving the wolf one last look before turning towards his next destination. The Iga were far from dead. He had work left. The Sith's concentration is broken by the barking of the dog, surprised to see that he had followed him. The dog sits obediently at Loki's side, wagging it's tail furiously. Loki stops, reaching down to scratch between the dog's ears. Inwardly shrugging, he continues his path, the dog that would be Skoll right at his side.
The Iga Ninja trembled as he peered from the narrow slit of the cramped quarters. He shivered, with fear. It hadn't been three days from the slaughter of Kaeda. In the following horrific hours, a full region of the Iga's land had been piled with rotting bodies. The bastards. He bites into his lower lip, eyes welling with tears. His cousin had died defending his town. What had brought such a scourge against them? There were rumors. He didn't believe them. The ninja positioned along with him in the bunker, places a firm hand on his shoulder.
Calculations were made, and from judgment, it would seem that the monsters would soon be heading directly into their town. The townspeople had made sure to set up bunkers along it's outer reaches, as well as equipping it's men with advanced weaponry, instead of the more traditional melee weapons. He grips his carbine tighter, squinting his eyes as he struggles to see through the thick fog.
The shrieking of the watchman perched atop the tower sends shivers through his spine, and he rips his binoculars from around his neck, looking towards the distance, straining to see what was causing his people such pain. And he saw him. The sight alone was enough for this full-grown man, an assassin and a warrior since birth, to soil his pants.
At least a kilometer ahead, the monster with the face of a jester stalked towards their bunker. Its arms were outstretched, its head was slightly lowered, snaking strands of hair cascading in its ghastly face. From head to toe, he was garbed in black. It only served to contrast against his face. Oh heavens the face... It was hideous. The monster had the face of a clown. Deathly white, with lips black as the murkiest darkness. Lines etched downwards through its eyes, as well as along the corners of its lips, twisted upwards into a devious smile.
The men in the bunker all snap into action, bringing up their respective weapons, barrels hanging over the opening of the bunker, aiming towards the monster as it approached.
The monster appears in front of them, eyes wide, grin wider, hanging upside down in front of the opening of the bunker. One of the ninja reacts, screaming a battle cry as he attempts to bring his weapon up. His trajectory is stopped as the demon's fist rams into his face, creating a large bloody crater where his features once were.
He could bear it no longer, But before his eyes can register anything that was happening, the monster stood amongst them, slaughtering his comrades with the ferocity of an animal. He cannot fight. Dropping his weapon to the floor, he kneels at the monster's feet.
A brief sigh... The Sith known as Darth Grendel runs a hand through his gleaming silver hair. So much had happened... In his other gloved grip, he tightly clenched the cowl that he had chosen to forever more cover his true face. His legs dangled over the cliff-side as the sun slowly set. Behind him, lay a village current population, 0. Even his brothers, could never know what he had been through. They would never know the torment that he went through every waking hour... Never. It felt good to peel off his mask. It was the first time since he had donned it. It felt good to feel the sun beating down against his skin. But this was not him. Corrose Shi existed no more. And he would keep his silence for eternity. Sliding the black mask back over his features, he peered down the rock chasm. This... This was his true being. He was Grendel. Grasping his spear, he stands, feet teetering over the edge. And he plummets...
The townsmen stood at the gate of Shonan. The Iga... More than 20,000, had been destroyed in 10 days. The man, that would be considered the head of the Shi, looked towards the horizon. They would come. He had known the brothers since birth. His best friend had been their father. It was his fault that they had turned out this way. It was his fault he did not help them when he should have. Three figures step into view, far in the horizon. It was them. He could tell. He gasps in unison with the other townspeople as they are fully seen. Juniho had not changed, other than the blank expression. He had been so full of life�� But the other two, were truly hideous. One, who wore a mask, surely Corrose, had a corpse impaled on his weapon, cradled against his shoulder, and flaunting it like a flag as they walked. It took quite some time for him to regain his composure and approach them.
Juniho remains silent, as well as the other. He takes an uneasy glance at Morpheus, unnerved by the smile painted on his face. Returning his gaze back to the eldest, he found himself fighting back tears. What had they become... Oh heavens, what had they become.
He nods, knowing what must be done. It ripped his heart to pieces. They had been his favorites, for he had never had any children. But the dread in the hearts of the townspeople was there, whispering amongst themselves. Young children could be heard crying.
