Blood in Flame and Water

Dueling Forces

The birds chirp eagerly in the early hours of the morning. The smell of wisteria wafted through the valley with pleasant and graceful ease. Gravel crunched as civilians flitted around, always in a hurry, always in a rush. They never had time to sit and enjoy what nature provided them with no price. They always moved with purpose, not a single one was spent in vain.

Knowing the true art of movement could save the life of one, or one hundred. People of the past truly mastered the art, yet their successors grew lazy. Now they live their lives in ignorance. Blissful unawareness to the corruption under their own nose. Some blame the demons that crawl in the night, but those who truly understand know that demons were once human too. Humans, greedy the day they were born into the world, wanting and needing. Some can truly not comprehend that the corruption is of their own making.

Yet there was no time to be selfish when those people started dying in the masses. When groups of innocent people start disappearing in the wake of night and the full moon it brings. Even those responsible for the corrosion deserve to be held responsible for the damage they've caused, not to just, disappear. This disruption caused concern. People grew fearful and denied any involvement of the outside world during the late hours of night. Those who were brave, or stupid enough, to venture outside during the fully risen moon found themselves following the same fate as their neighbors and friends.

Someone did take concern to the disappearances, and through swift action, called the most capable. Birds of black came with a message: "Gather, gather, " they chirped, "Master wants all Hashira gathered at Headquarters by the time of the Sun's peak. Attention, all Hashira at Headquarters by the Sun's peak. "

Nine total shadows swiftly moved to accommodate the command. Setting aside objectives or finishing their task at hand, the sun timed their appearance and called their names. Wisteria filled the noses of the nine shadows, a distant welcome of safety yet urgency. Grass and gravel crunched and collapsed under quick feet. The looming silhouette of the centre estate appeared in the distance.

Sound was the first to arrive, boastful and exuberant. His voice was a melody that Love was soon drawn to. Sound grew teasing yet questioning as Love blushed and hid. Insect was drawn to the sweet smell of Love and the melody of Sound. The little butterfly's stinging remarks were more fitting of a wasp as the volume of Sound lowered along with his wounded ego. Insect grew as sweet as Love in the blink of an eye, yet Flame was much too observant to watch the light glint in Insect's eyes glimmer. The roaring fire of Flame grew the Love and Insect close, welcoming their presence yet not burning them upon entry.

The warmth of Flame igniting the passion in Love drew Serpent close from his tree above. Gazing lazily upon Love with his own adoration in his queer eyes, Serpent hissed out to Love, garnering her attention. With his attention now moved, Flame welcomed Sound with the crackling of fire and flame.

Sound recognized the familiar rolling of Stone, and looked up just as they entered the garden. Flame crackled with Sound in acknowledgement to Stone in respect, and the honorable man greeted back pleasantly. Love drew near and nervously greeted Stone, and the unmovable man smiled and with kindness of his own, greeted back warmly. Rumbling storms drew close as Wind forced himself into the garden, blowing forcefully onto Flame and Insect. Unmovable Stone sheltered the dwindled fire and butterfly from the sheer force of Wind rampaged through the garden. Serpent hissed in displeasure, sheltering their scales behind leaves and branches.

Along with storms, rain follows close behind. Graceful Water flowed into the garden, dousing Flame and Stone with his presence. Finding his own place away from the group, Water settled by a puddle and stared off into the distance. Like a stream to a river, the slight touch of Mist floated into the garden. Slight to the touch and a gentle aura soothing the burns received by the harsh lashes of Wind. Sound blew out, easing the tense atmosphere with an exaggerated scale of chimes and drums. Love giggled and grew warm with passion of her own and for her compatriots.