Remember That Time? *

The sun shone high above me as I walk casually through the streets of a small desert village. As always, the temperature could be described as hot. My right arm was lifted and pressed against my right shoulder clinging onto the draw string of the brown cloth sack that contained most of my belongings. Small bottles and sub bags bounced off of the cloth bag with each of my steps. Stashed diagonally and tied to my back was a sheathed curved sword, referred to as the claw-blade to me, that held many memories. As far as the blade went, I didn't really use it much myself. Still, it was true that many of these memories would only be pertinent to myself, or rather versions of myself. To others, it may seem like just a common sword, as they seemed to be a necessity to those roaming about these lands, but to the Jin and Battousai inside of me, it meant the world.

Though I had grown accustomed to this heat, it didn't mean that I liked it. A frown graced my lips as I murmur light cursings to the sweltering heat, though I knew it wouldn't do anything to mitigate the harsh temperatures. I had come to this village to see if they had a well where I could fill up on my water. I wasn't out, but I was running low, never a good sign in an area like this. I didn't have anything on me to barter, meaning that if I wanted to eat, then I probably needed to get some work done, but that would be after I left this area.

After walking into the center of the village, I find the hell, and a grin comes to my lips as I thank my luck. Moving to the well, I lower my tan duffle to the ground and pull free an empty bottle that I used to store water in. It sit it on the well and prepare to reach for the well bucket when I look off into the distance and notice two young boys, probably 6 years or so younger than myself, palling about with wooden swords on their waist. At the moment I was solo, but I did remember a time when I was much like one of those two there. For a moment, I find my mind thinking back to earlier times.

Timeline: Current | Persona: Jyn'Rai | EXP: 408

~ Start Flashback ~

Currently, I was twelve years old and by this time, five years had passed since I made the decision to live on my own. Life had never been easy after the event had occurred which would set the course of my life, but I managed to survive this long with an odd mixture of luck and skill. At the moment, I found myself living the forgotten prophecy that "some times you eat the bear and sometimes the bear eats you." My current retreat had been a tactical decision, when, after striking the beast from behind in an ambush with the claw-blade (katana) the large beast that I had been hunting, looked at me, roared angrily and stood on its hind legs, even going so far as to take a swipe at me. I had been hoping it would do the opposite, which included crying out weakly and falling to the ground, but it would seem that I had merely pissed the beast off. All this and I could have sworn, I aimed for a vital spot. Of course, I wasn't 'that good' with a blade yet, all things considered; that would have to be something that I would have to continually work on as I continued to hunt, granted I lived that long. I wasn't actually running because I didn't want to die, rather I was running because I hated pain that much. Death was fine, it was just the pain in the ass of getting there that had kept me alive all this time. Thus, I was a-running.

The forest floor moved quickly below me as I felt the presence of the large furry quadruped, tearing a path in pursuit. Having broke out at a swift pace, I was aiming for the tree line, though I didn't know how a clearing would help me. I figured maybe I could zig zag or something that could possibly slow the beast behind me. I also rationalized that eventually he would get tired; he didn't have as much to loose out of this transaction as I did. After running several paces, I cleared the tree line and broke out into a meadow of high grasses.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai | EXP: 386 / 794

It was to my dismay, but mostly annoyance, that the creature hadn't given up on eating me yet. I wondered if I really looked that delicious; still I also knew the thing could probably hold a grudge from me stabbing him and all, but it wasn't like he had died. If that was the case, then I would either be salting his body or making a fire right now. My mind shifted to think of how great it would be to not be running right now, but rather to be feasting on the stout furry creature that was rumbling the grounds behind me.

While running, I hear a sharp sound. Unknown to me, this sound was made from a hybrid performing and practicing void techniques on a tree; what this meant to me was that there was someone else nearby. I knew this cruel world to be kill or be killed, so whoever else that was in the area should know that as well. It couldn't be held against me that I lured an enraged creature to an unknowing victim in hopes that it would forget about me and feast on him. So with that thought process in mind, I shift the direction of my run in order to lead the enraged creature in the direction of the unknowing victim in hopes that it would forget about me and feast on him.

The sound of my approach would no doubt get louder as I would already be running at a full pace towards the area of focus. Knowing that I could also be attacked if the person I was running to was either hostile or paranoid, I had a contingency plan in mind if danger was present. Coming out of the tall grasses and into the clearing at the far edge of the meadow, I would be visually present, flowing white garments, oni horns, sword and all in my Battousai form, as I attempted to rush past the other hybrid's position without stopping. Behind me rumbled on the unhappy pursuer.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai | EXP: 357/1151 EXP

Luckily in my case the person that I was in the process of passing seemed oblivious to my approach, that helped me get passed him within him noticing me, or so I thought by his lack of reaction. As it would turn out in my passing, I would end up passing behind him in a parallel manner. Though I wouldn’t make any sound, the creature behind me would make sounds similar to a very large woman in heat while getting rammed into from the rear with her ass receiving healthy smacks here and there. In my passing, I had just enough time to notice that the other person that would be the victim in this case, was intensely concentrating on a tree before I continued in my fleeing towards high grass that was on the other side of the clearing. Since it was about twenty or so yards off, I had a good amount of time to go. Unfortunately for me, the thing chasing me had no interest in the unobservant acolyte and would only serve to ‘bump’ him out of the way in a ‘bitch move’ type manner while continuing his chase of me. It was around this time that I cursed my unlucky charms for making me so magically delicious.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai | EXP: 232 / 1383

Around this time, I started to feel myself get a little bit tired. I wondered how something so large could move as long and fast as he did. Still, when I passed the other guy, I saw him use some type of attack against a tree. I wondered if he were strong enough to ignore the obvious danger that was around him. I assumed he would have to in order to survive this long. Someone out in the wilderness with no perception of what was around him was a dangerous way to live life. With the assurance that the the other guy might actually be good in battle, I decided that I would attempt to employ his head. The worst thing that could happen would be that I would have two things chasing me. I started to slow down just a bit, but the bear creature continued to rush from behind. Suddenly, I plant my foot and immediately roll under an incoming slash. Unprepared for the sudden inversion of direction it continues and almost rolls before catching itself and turning around pulling up chunks of the ground as he came back across. Running back towards the other male, I call out, "oy" in an effort to get his attention. If he could be useful that would make things much easier on me. Moments later, I would be passing back past him unless he did something impressive.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai | EXP: 255 / 1638

In my attempting to pass him, I find myself grabbed and then there is an odd feeling as I feel my body transported from one place to another. In the wake of our vanishing act, it would seem that the well aimed tree had fallen over and onto the creature that had been chasing me. My mind works quickly to realize that I had suddenly been displaced from one place to another, still the distance that was traverse was very greater than a simple quick tug could have produced. To answer his question, I say, "me" in a short manner from behind my lower face mask while walking back towards the bear. If he didn't know, then it had to be me; if not, who cared. By now I could see that it had been pinned by the tree that was laying across its back. The bear was helpless to move and was maimed; he was also secured as my dinner. The words of a past figure recount to me in my head stating, 'you either kill, or be killed.' Standing above the bear, I would flip my sword in front of me and catch it by its hilt with the blade pointing down. With one swift thrust, I stab through the creatures head and pin it to the ground before releasing my blade and crouching with my arms on my knees. I needed to move this tree off... it was a shame that I couldn't just set it on fire along with the bear to cook it. Standing up, I turn and look to the other person who I now realized was a kid around my age. For a moment I glare at him with dull eyes before asking, "what are you doing out here alone?"

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai | EXP: 300 / 1938

Almost the complete opposite of me, the other pre teen seemed pretty sociable. This presented an issue for my current persona. Running conversations and meeting people wasn’t really my forte. To answer his question about what I could do with the void, I cryptically answer, “secret.” I didn’t really know what he meant about the void, but I assumed it was the power he was using against the tree earlier since he mentioned ‘as well.’ It would probably be something to look into since it looked like it could help in the process of attempt to defeat a large animal much like I had been doing. Still, the other was talking about meeting a master and sharing the food. I figured I was in a safe enough environment that I could take a momentary nap; people like him were bothersome to me as I was allergic to cheer. Still, I didn’t know how ‘he’ would deal with it, but that wasn’t my problem. Standing up, I take the sword back into my right hand and flick the blood from it to the side. I then slide it behind my back into the sheath that was fit diagonally behind me.

After that, I look back to the male and my dull eyes shift as watery life is brought back to them and my features soften and then they close almost as if a fox squint to hide them from the world. Reaching up, I pull the oni horns from off of my head and then pull the mask from over the bottom of my face. In my first gaze to this other boy, I looked at him much like he was a stranger. I turned around and looked at the bear, which was gross, but I knew I would have to eat it if I wanted to survive. I would have preferred my other self to have handled the icky part, but I set my resolve to take care of it. With the mask and horns in my hand I go to put it away, but then turn around in all directions as if looking for something that should have been on me. “Oh no…” I murmur with a small amount of concern, “where’s my bag?...” I look up at the other boy, “you wouldn’t have seen a bag would you?...” After half talking and half thinking, I murmur, “oh no… I must have left it back in the forest against that tree…” I couldn’t go and see any masters without my bag!

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Battousai > Jin | EXP: 442 / 2380

Jin’s closed gaze is on the other with his answer and he frowns in an unhappy manner. That simply wouldn’t do; he needed to have his bag as the first priority. It was among those things that couldn’t be lost, or else he would lose a piece of himself, needless to say it was very important. There were two things to do and two of them there. Looking to the bear, the white haired judged that it would take the other a while to move the large tree from the back of the bear, or to separate the bear in pieces. Jin hoped, or rather judged that he should be able to go back, retrieve his bag and then return back to this location in time to help with the task of gathering the food, since he had a good idea of where his bag could be. “Um…” he says in a low tone, “I think I know where my bag is, so I’ll just run and get it. I’ll be right back to help you with the food…” With that, he doesn’t say much, but begins to run off towards the tall grasses to follow the way in which he had come unless stopped.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 202 / 2582

Unhindered, the young man known as Jin makes his way into the tall grasses of the grasslands. He finds out, as he is running back towards the treeline which he had exited, that he had run a long way to get where he was. Overall, Jin’s body was weaker than the counter part that was in control just a while ago, which added to the distress of his situation. Eventually the boy found his way back to the tree land and begins to move into the area of the forest where he had originally been hunting. He looks around cautiously, knowing that he had to move quietly and not draw attention to himself. Though Battousai was skilled at hunting, Jin wasn’t so much, and the forest was a dangerous place for those who weren’t aware of what lurked within it. After carefully making his way in back tracking, he is able to exhale a sigh of relief as his gaze comes to fall upon his bag as it sat against the trunk of a prominent tree. “I found out,” he says in a tone of discovery as he makes his way towards it and takes hold of his bag. He pulls the bag over his shoulder with a light grunt and then looks back the way he had come; now all he had to do was get out of the forest safely and back to the slain dinner that was awaiting him in the meadow clearing.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 252 / 2834

Jin hurries back from his position within the forest and makes his way back to the tree clearing which he clears in his haste to head back to the site where he had come across the other boy. The purpose for him going back was mainly just because his kill was there and he had said that he would be back shortly; aside from that, he didn't know what to think about the other child. Trusting people wasn't something to be taken lightly, so he knew that he had to be careful. It was hard to judge people, but in his mind, he wondered if the kid he passed was actually worst off than himself. It was understandable for him to have a sense of security with his master around, but there was no telling what type of man this master would be. Jin did, however, think of the fact that the other kid was using magic and if his master used magic as well he might know of The Man with the Omega Symbol on his Hand. Yes, much like with The Leviathan in forgotten times, you had to say the entire thing.

After running through the tall grasses, Jin eventually comes into the clearing with the other boy. His body slows to a walk as he comes into the same area with his as his breathing was hard from the running. Both hands clung to a bag that he had been carrying all the way here, which was the bag of importance. Most of his life's savings were in there, but unlike anything of monetary value, they were mostly personal belonging and important things to remind him of the home he once had.

Reaching the other boy, he states plainly, "I'm back." He turns to look at the progress that's been done so far so that he could see what he had to do in order to help out.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 333 / 3167

Among his first observations, Jin noticed that the boy was covered in blood. That much was at least a minor cause for alarm, since no one sane generally walked around dripping with blood. It caused one to question just what happened while he was gone. The sight he’s greeted with clashes with the imagery that goes with it. When he introduces himself as Boy Jin’s head tilts over to the side; his closed gaze remaining on Boy. He answer in a flat tone, “Jin.” The boy seemed busy in his work, in which case, Jin sets his bag on the ground and walks around to the side to look at what he was doing. To the explanation given on what was being done, Jin offers, “it might be easier with my sword…” But his small voice would be in the background of the plucky youth as Boy seemed content with his thought that he knew what he was doing. After Jin got the gist that Boy wanted to chop up the bear in smaller parts, he shrugs and pulls his sword from behind his back. Of course, Jin figured it would be easier to cut the bear in two where the trunk was. After being cut, they could pull the bear’s torso from its body and roll the trunk off and onto the ground. Then they would only have two pieces to drag to whenever their destination was. But since the boy wanted to do it a certain way, Jin decided that he would do things his way. In the process of completing the boy’s objective, Jyn hears an internal ‘fuck that’ and his eyes glaze over, opening and colored red like before. The sword that had been held awkwardly in his hand is now gripped with purpose as he walks to the side of the bear and takes his sword in both hands. With a swift “hmph” he slashes down, cutting across the bear very close to where the tree had landed. Without further words, he would look at the young boy with the paw in his hand and then look back down to the bear, grabbing it by the head and pulling it forwards. As he did this, the log sunk into the middle causing there to be two pieces; a part of bear on either side of the log. Without looking to him, Jin speaks in a flat tone, “it will be easier to keep up with the meat in larger chunks…”

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 429 / 3596

After the meat was attended to, Battousai reverted to Jin and once again the boys were left to their own devices about how to get things back. When the question comes, Jin simply gives a nod, since it seemed if he went with the boy then he could at least have help moving the bear, cooking it and hopefully having a place to sleep for the night. When the question came about how to move the beat meat, Jin look at it and point out, “the skin and the fur can be turned into a sort of sled for us to try and lift and carry it;” that way it could be a form of endurance training as well, or something like that (all original concepts). With that, Jin would start out attempting to get thing ready to pull towards whatever direction the boy would lead. Since it was getting late, Jin didn’t really want to loiter around this area too long. And as such the scene is fast forwarded through the pulling of the bear to the approach of the area where the master would be. During this time, Jin would be dependent on the direction of Boy since they were coming to a place where he had never been before, or at least didn’t think that he had.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 228 / 3824

The sounds of displeasure were audible from the Boy as he rants from beyond. Jin would still be in the room with the master, warily looking at the elder, at least according by age to them, to make sure he didn’t try anything like eat him or force him into this life of servitude, but since the master seemed to ignore the Boy, Jin figured that he would do the same as well. Jin did note when something occurs within the tantrum and the boy seemed to start spazzing out. Jin would be confused while Battousai would internally be raising an eyebrow at this behavior. It would seem that the two were opposites when it came to emotional outbursts like this. Aside from the freaking out that was going on, Jin was still curious if the new custom was that he had to physically catch his food in order to eat it. According to the master, this seemed like a perfectly normal occurrence, so Jin could only assume that this was a part of their customs as well. Of course, this further confused him and didn’t help his current flighty feelings. Still seeing that Boy was in pain and clutching his shoulder, Battousai assured Jin that he had a solution to help ease his pain. Jin frowns and shakes his head on as Battousai assure he would only put him to sleep temporarily. Of course, this would be Battousai’s cynical teasing, since in their current situation they were outnumbered and had to proceed cautiously.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 286 / 4756

Jin finds himself witness to a very odd event that takes fold before him. It was much like he was a spectator watching a movie; it was an experience that he wasn’t really a part of, but it did serve for some purpose on an entertainment level. Still, the young boy would remain cautious of the energy that was swirling around Boy during this time. Jin would keep the distance between himself and Boy, slowly retreating at a backwards walk to the opposite side of the room while watching him get pulled into something that he did not understand. Though he tried to keep as much distance from the boy and his void, the swirling of the energy would permeate and saturate the air around him. Boy would not be the only one affected as Jin felt a harsh tug on his insides that causes him to clasp his fist at his chest and cough. Though the boy was taken to a place of serenity and peace, being outside of this and affected by the powers that maintained this place, Jin would be forced to his knees, gripped by the unstable energy of the awakened element. Relieve comes to Jin as the master is forced to step forth and pull Boy from the place he was being pulled into. As Boy was being pulled out, it seemed like the pain was subsiding from Jin at the same time. Jin’s breathing is heavy as he recomposes after this experience and Battousai is confused by the effects of his outburst of energy. Looking up, Jin looks between the Master and Boy wondering just what these people were.

Timeline: 14 A.D | Persona: Jin | EXP: 297 / 5053