The Renegade: Oblivion

Ch. 1: The Lost Brother

My name's Aspect.

Though you may know me better as The Black Warrior.

For years, those who live in the villages at the foothills tell tales of a dark but kindly warrior who protects the weak from thieves and vagabonds. It's safe to say that I'm a sort of "neighborhood legend" around these parts.

But the truth is, I haven't been a part of society in twelve years.

Not since Fire died.

We were brothers. We took care of one another, and despite being five years my senior, he was kind, gentle, and understanding.

We both lived in the care of Shogun Ziro, leader of the Narabetsu province. While I was simply a servant to clean his estate, Fire was training to become a powerful Samurai, to protect his master and achieve great rank. Everything I know, I learned from him.

One night, he told me that he was heading out for his first trial session, which took place out in the woods at dusk. So when he left, I waited patiently for him to return.

But he never did.

After several hours passed, with no sign of him, I finally went out to look for him. And I wish I hadn't.

I found him dead in the woods, mangled to death by some kind of huge beast. I swore to find the monster that had taken his life, when he still had so much ahead of him, and I would never return to civilization until I had avenged my brother.

So, here I am.

Still sulking in the shadows, waiting to avenge Fire.

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Aspect slept fitfully on lush grass, the hills rolling away from him gently with the waning moon gleaming in the distance. The stars seemed dim; the clouds were thin veils wrapping the sky.

Suddenly, a fiery light appeared, and a hand reached out to stroke the sleeping fox's shoulder.

"Aspect." The blazing light spoke gently. "Wake up."

Aspect sleepily opened his eyes a slit, then they flew open with shock and amazement. He leaped to his feet, holding his hat close to his chest as if it was his dearest possession.

"...I don't believe it..." His voice came out in small, sudden gasps, grappling with both skepticism and delight.

The light dimmed slightly to reveal a young fox in his teens standing there before him. He had golden fiery fur with blazing stripes of red at his hair tips and beneath his ruby eyes. He wore a simple tan vest and pale blue bandages on his arms, the same things he had worn the night of his death.

"Long time, no see, brother." Fire stood there, a golden glow enveloping him as Aspect looked on.

"...Fire... It's really you." The Black Warrior could only stand in place; something kept him from moving forward. "I must be dreaming."

Fire blinked. "Unfortunately... Yes, you are dreaming. This was the only way I could contact you, what with breaking through the confines of the Spirit Realm. I'm sorry, brother, I really am. But... I'm afraid I need your help. I'm in danger."

Aspect stared at him in disbelief, the initial shock of his brother's return quickly wearing off the longer he stood there. "...Sorry for sounding insensitive," He replied bluntly, "But I don't understand. What can possibly be worse than being dead?"

"More things than you realize, lil' bro." The fiery orange fox shrugged sheepishly. "I don't mean to freak you out, but I know about that vow you made. There's no need to avenge my death."

Dismay struck Aspect like a thunderbolt. "What do you MEAN?!" He yelped angrily. "You're my brother! I would kill for you. Have you not seen the many long years I have spent alone, in this god-forsaken wilderness? Are you telling me that was all for nothing?!"

"I know, I know," Fire looked uncomfortable as his younger brother grew increasingly indignant. "But it's all taken care of. Years ago, a hunter in the mountains killed his bounty that consisted of a wild boar, so it's all resolved."

Aspect thought for a moment. It seemed unlikely that just a simple boar had killed his brother, but what bothered him still was that all those years had been wasted on seeking an enemy that was already dead.

But Fire's voice shook him from his thoughts. "I... I understand if this all comes as a shock to you," He began gently, glancing at his paws, "And I also understand if you don't want to help me out. I can always find another person, though I'll have a hard time convincing someone to help out a random ghost with an odd name."

"No, no," Aspect cut in, feeling guilty. "I want to help. You're my brother, after all." His brother blinked at him in gratitude as Aspect then sighed. "...What do you want me to do? How can I help?"

"Well... The first thing to do is to wait." Fire replied. "Wait until you find a distinguished official traveling along here, and then convince him that you're The Black Warrior. Follow him to the province of Jiang-Lao, and there you will have to speak with the Shogun Isu. Afterwards you will have to find the one who I have chosen to come with you to Dragonscale Ridge, which is where you must meet with me again. Do all this and arrive before the new moon."

"What? How will I know who you've chosen? Can't you just tell me now?" Aspect asked.

"I will send them a dream, and they will mention me by name." His form suddenly began to flicker as Fire whispered. "I'm counting on you, brother, or I am lost."

"Wait! Don't go!" Aspect lunged forward, reaching out only to find that his hand went through Fire's transparent form. "I still need you! What's going to happen to you?"

But Fire only sighed as he began to fade away. Then the fiery light blazed brightly, blinding the black fox before shooting up to the midnight sky, taking Aspect's brother with it. His final farewell floated softly on the breeze as a fading echo: "We will meet again, dear brother."

And then all was dark. Aspect stared up into the sky, almost as if he expected his brother to return to him once more. Finally he sighed and bowed his head, hugging his straw hat close to his chest somberly.

"I won't let you down." He whispered. "I promise."