Law of the Soul

Chapter 1: Change

"It was by speaking

To the dragon of my hill

I caused this snowfall;

A few flakes may have scattered."

                                                They told me I couldn't be a lawyer growing up.

Kids, counselors, teachers, and even my parents. So, I proved them wrong. I became the finest lawyer the world has ever seen. That wasn't enough for me. I wanted to become a Guardian of the world. A preserver of peace by using the law that I knew so well. So, I attempted to join law enforcement, but I was denied. I tried to join a criminal investigation team but was rejected. Then I found a group of people called the "Guardians." Or the "Giin." The Guardians are a group of people who use the law to eliminate these monsters that roam the world. These monsters are known as "Stalkers." They are human-like but are nothing more than demonic and powerful. In the group of Guardians, there are sixteen different members. All with their unique traits and abilities to destroy Stalkers. I will become a Guardian and kill every last Stalker that lives. First, I must seek them out and prove that I can fight and use the law simultaneously. I've had thirteen years of training throughout my twenty-one years of life. I was bullied when I started school, and it continued until I got out. Also, yes, you read correctly. I became a lawyer without even going to school for the full term. That's how good I was. My father taught me many different types of martial arts. I did karate from age five to eight and achieved my black belt. Then I moved to Judo, achieved my twelfth Dan, and wore a red belt. That was from age eight to ten. Next, I moved to Aikido and mastered every style: Iwama Ryu, Iwama Shin Shin Aiki Shuren Kai, Shodokan Aikido, Yoshinkan, Renshinkai, Aikikai, and Ki Aikido. I learned Aikido and mastered it from the age of ten to twelve. Then, I learned Kenjutsu and was taught the ancient ways of the Samurai. I mastered the art of the sword in two years, from the age of twelve to fourteen. Finally, I spent my last four years learning and mastering Krav Maga and acquired a black belt. Now and then, I'll practice these martial arts to keep me from forgetting. I hope to use these with the Guardians. My name is Okami. "Can I get another double dark rum?" A man with charming black hair that reached the bottom of his eyelids parted in the middle. His sunken yet gleaming eyes tell his truth. Not all of it. Secrets, questions, and statements fill his mind all day, tied to chains deep down underground. His clean-shaven face makes him look half a decade younger. That smile, oh, that smile that he always has. Not revealing his deepest and darkest feelings. Death is pondered, every day even. Flames scorched onto his muscular body to tell everything. His arms are covered with cloth, but everyone can see through. "I'm cutting you off tonight. That's enough alcohol for a week, let alone in a single hour." The bartender said. He's bald and has tattoos covering his entire body as a reminder to himself only. A reminder of his past as a troubled person. His mustache moved as he talked with his heavy voice. "Come on, man. It's only been a bottle and a half of rum. I drink triple this on any other day. I can pay you double, remember I was a lawyer for a year and a half." Okami grumbled. "Listen, it's not about the money. You've been coming here since you were in high school. I want to see you succeed in whatever you plan to do. Drinking won't help with that." "Alright, sure. I'm going to search for the Giin and kill Stalkers. I need to fight something." He clenched his fist and sat in silence. The bartender could smell his breath from across the bar. "Kill what? And join who?" He asked, filling Okami's last glass of rum. He chugged the double shot within a few seconds. "The Giin. You don't know them? The Guardians?" Soon after, the building had turned silent. So silent but yet so loud. "What? Why does everyone have that look on their face?" He asked. The bartender whispered, "The Guardians were wiped out, Okami. They don't exist anymore." His face appeared distraught. "They can't be. I quit my job as a lawyer to join them. What happened to them?" He asked, his voice filled with panic. "This one, Stalker, I'm pretty sure a grade Z destroyed them all. That's what everybody has heard, at least. No official evidence yet, but-" "No evidence! That means they could still be alive. One grade Z Stalker couldn't have killed all of them." The bartender attempted to slow him down but was unsuccessful. Okami grabbed his black coat off the edge of his chair and threw it across his back, holding it with his left hand. "How didn't you know about their disappearance?" Rod asked. "I don't know, man. I get drunk the whole day, and I don't keep up on it." "What are you going to do?" He asked. "I'm going to search for them. Thank you, Rod." He bowed and then left. After exiting, Rod angrily slammed his fist on the bar table. The veins in his skin pumped with black blood. His eyes looked as though he hadn't slept in a century. Maybe he hasn't. Everyone turned to him and noticed his off-put appearance. They screamed and ran out the door as quickly as their feet could take them. Rod walked out from behind the staff area and chased out the door. Voices played in his head over and over. It's like a record player constantly on a loop. Deep voices. "He mustn't leave. Kill him. Kill. Kill the boy. He mustn't leave. He is a Jaakuna. He is part of us. Mustn't seek Giin." His eyes reformed into a blood red. He resembled a demon. As he touched the door, it blasted open with a burst. Glass scattered the ground quickly. The metal door pieces parted to the busy streets full of cars. The screaming could be heard from miles away. Sections have been called. Okami heard these screams and turned to find Rod behind him. Not saying a single word. Black blood oozed from his nose and mouth. His eyes filled with terror, not knowing how his friend could turn into such a monster with a quick switch. Were those conversations he had even true? Was this all a lie? A man walked up to him and placed his hand on his back. Not knowing who or what he was. Out of his back came what seemed to be a fly trap. It caught the man's arm and tore it off in a split second. Another fly trap extended out of him, this time out of his chest. The man screamed in pain and terror. Blood littered the ground like the glass that had just been broken. A loud siren is heard from the East district. "What the hell are you? A Stalker?!" Okami screamed in rage. He raised his hands in the pose to fight. The fly trap flew out from his chest and attempted to hit him, but Okami hit it away. He lowered himself so he could run below the trap. He caught Rod's arm and stomach and pulled him to the ground. On top of him, he punched with all of his might. Breaking bones in his skull and his own hands. It didn't seem to bother him, though. He kept smashing his hands into the demon. Screaming with so much rage in his voice, shattering windows near him. Rod seemed to have either died or passed out. Until... Branches with thorns captivated him. Stuck on his stomach. Blood retreating from his body. His voice turned from anger to hurt. Hearing his own heart racing faster than time can even count. Is this the end? Is this it? Feeling every part of his body all at once. What was this strange feeling? Feeling the blood within him, pumping into his heart and organs. Is this adrenaline? The blood under his skin built up. It could no longer hold it. His skin burst at once and latched onto Rod's face. He was being suffocated in it. The skin gripped tighter. For some weird reason, the revealed blood turned dark like his. It coated him like armor. He held his hands up in curiosity. "What the hell?" He asked, not getting an answer. He stood up as the branches released from him. He turned around, thinking that he was dead. He stood behind him menacingly. Suddenly, classical music was heard from the alleyway behind them. Rod didn't pay any attention. He grabbed hold of Okami, and the branches latched back onto him. "Get off of me!" He yelled. The music began to slow down and stop. After it stopped, it switched to a fast-paced heavy metal instrumental. Rod broke his arm off. Blood spewed everywhere. He screamed frantically. Holding a stub for an arm, he could no longer stay awake. Drifting away from consciousness, he realized he truly wanted to live. He collapsed to the ground, blood still flowing from his arm. Rod held his arm in the sky. He opened his mouth, and it grew larger. It resembled a dark hole. The arm was let go. I'm about to fall into the mouth of that monster. Then. A man with an ominous presence took the arm in the air. His veins were visible. A muscular man. His long, black hair up into a man-bun. Piercing green eyes. "Who are you?" Rod faced the man, shock shown on his face. For some particular reason, his body shook in fear. "I pronounce this as a trial. I will execute the defendant as written in the contract of law number three. I am to put you down, Stalker. Grade B." His voice coated the ears like a velvet blanket. It's soothing yet convicting and serious. "Who the hell am I? Well. I'm one of the Guardians. You interrupted my movie for this. Ogaka Myojo. You can call me Myojo for the final seconds of your life, though." He smirked. "Myo-Jo?" He said as his life flashed before him. "Guilty as charged." A punch so devastating that it sent a shock wave across the snow and buildings. A bright red aura followed his fist as he sent it forward. Rod dissipated. "Damn. Put a little too much power in that one. Luckily, I didn't burn the buildings around me this time. I can't pay for that." He said in the whispering wind that passed by him. "Alright, kid. Let's get you to the hideout." He said reluctantly. He picked his unconscious body off of the ground. Holding him by his right side and holding his arm in his other.