The Last Moment

Prologue

[Music: Othercide OST - Soulswap: Artists: Solitaris · Alexandre Charabot · Théo Mori · Alexandre Lelièvre · Black Screen Records]

         His vision was blurry and his heart raced as he began to wake. Wracked with pain and disorientation from a terrible fever. The voices a mix of hushed worried whispers could be heard not far away. As he tried to find the source the world churned and scenes washed over him. Many were memories familiar yet distant, Some aligned with the voices, some unfamiliar, some were not even his own.

.....Many Years before.....
          Hibiki-kun... the words didn't escape from his lips as his brother checked his pulse and the peasant boy beside him padded a wet cloth across his head. Hibiki looked up to someone who stood just outside his vision and shook his head with clear concern on his face. It was unlike him to allow emotion to creep in through his on. When was the last time Hibiki was concerned for me? Kaji wondered as his thoughts and consciousness waned back and forth between similar moments in time, but one was most prominent.
         "I'm sorry, -sama. He is to unstable to return to his post. The water kami are no longer responding to heal his wound, and this fever is no ordinary sickness. No magic is working." Hibiki states with a matter of fact tone, his mannerisms holding his ground. Clearly unsettled by the persistence of the general, he bows shortly when the figure turns abruptly and walks away. His crimson eyes slowly fall onto Kitsu Kaji for a moment. A hint of worry and pity crosses his face seeing his younger brother in such a pitiful state. But when he sees Kaji's glazed eyes meet his own his demeanor returns to that of contempt and he adjusts his posture.
          "Continue to treat the fever and change the bandage every few hours. You will notify me if his condition changes. A yojimbo will be placed on his door. If he begins to turn, she will end him quickly" He commands the boy, trying not to allow his concern to be heard through his words.
          "What about these black tendrils, s-sama? W-Would it not be b-better to cut out the corruption?" The boy asked hesitantly, stammering on his words as he realizes he spoke aloud.
          Hibiki's eyes coldly glance in the boys direction but past him and the boy wordlessly falls to the floor in an a pleading and apologetic bow. The Lion shugenja needed not say anything for the peasant attendant knew he overstepped by questioning a samurai. Turning away and standing in the door Hibiki spoke quietly but just loud enough for the boy and Kaji to hear. "It's your own fault. If you allow the corruption to take you then no one will ever believe you and your weakness will disgrace us. Your a bushi." the words carry his disdain. "Weakness will not be excused, especially from a Taisho." The words drift into Kaji's mind as his consciousness wanes yet again.

....shifting and churning again....
          When his eyes adjusted it was not Hibiki in the doorway but an unfamiliar reptilian figure looking down at the much older but still the same peasant kneeling beside him. This time speaking in another tongue than their own. It took several moments for the words to translate in his mind. "It is not the shadow ... it is old wound from before the shadow... please, my Lord must have ... discretion in this." The peasants words trail off clearly uncomfortable in the topic. His accent still strong from only recently learning the common tongue of worlds.
          The robed reptilian figure glances over as their eyes meet for a moment but he turns again as a voice from outside the door is heard, an inquisitive playfulness lilts in their tone. "As I said, I pulled them through the portal, they were already injured and he collapsed only moments after. The potion didn't work, some kind of curse I figured... but that scar there... it doesn't seem to pour miasma like the others, and he seems to be telling the truth."
          The Reptilian sighed. "I'll verify with my Lady Knowledge before I proceed further, but he is stable for now." He said thoughtfully, The reptilian's voice was surprisingly soft-spoken but it was still masculine. He adjusts his spectacles as he continues "Fhi Shi, The king's guard asked for you about 20 minutes before you arrived. Never said what it was for."
          "Really? How interesting, I guess I've been stirring the pot with my recent successes..." Fhi Shi hisses with glee from outside the room. The figure can be heard leaving.