Jigoku: The Unknown World

Chapter Eight - The Red Dawn

"What is that?!" 

"It looks like some kind of jelly, but its got a face!" 

"We're supposed to fight that? And look what's with it, a pack of wolves!" Sure enough panic rose as a large pack of about twelve wolves stepped from the bushes, and besides it were two Slime. The slime was purple and ooze ran down its spherical body. It had two eyes and no other features, and it hopped towards them, making a plop as its body would squish on the ground.

"Don't let this strange creature take hold of your fear! It may be creepy but it looks weak!" Ross charged, catching everyone off guard. He lifted his battleaxe over his head as he ran at the nearest slime. With a grunt and a viscous swing his blade slashed straight through the slime, causing it to slump to the ground, immobile. Everyone watched in disbelief and Ross even looked shocked at the sight of the monsters now dead body. He lifted his ax into the air once more. and with a bellowing shout he yelled, "See. we can fight!" This spurred everyone into a confidence that hadn't been there since they woke up. The all charged just as Ross had and joined him as he slashed at one of the wolves. Blades slashed, arrows pierced. It was all going perfectly with only about four of the people with weapons getting minor injuries like a bite from a wolf or a bruise from the slime slamming into them with more force than it looked like it could give. Just then though something from the sky flew and smashed right into the ground not far from them. It felt like a mini earthquake as the ground shook and caused some even to fall. Smoke rose from the crash spot, and once it cleared, standing there was ten human silhouettes. The sun blocked them so all you could see were black figures standing in the distance. The moment they appeared the remaining monsters whimpered and scurried off. 

"What's that?"

"Is that humans?"

"They crashed into the ground and are still standing?"

"There's no way they're human, they'd be dead!"

"Hmm, I think it's time you shut up." That voice came from one of the silhouettes. It was a woman's voice, soft and smooth. It was almost relaxing besides the fact she had told everyone to shut up. "You worthless humans have finally woke up, I was beginning to bore just waiting and waiting for when the master would let you wake. It's been way to long since I've seen a new man's face."

"Who are you calling worthless?" It was Roy, he was enraged by these people, and had his sword raised towards them.

"Oh, the boy has something to say? I recall telling you to shut up!" Her words stung, causing Roy's building rage to only increase. 

"Listen here you maggots! We came to see how skilled you were in combat, and clearly you are all low ranking scum! No discipline, and look some got injured by small fry like slime and wolves!"

"No, you shut up! We're doing fine without you guys so you can just leave!"

"Hmm excuse me is that any way to talk to a lady? We know where your memories are you know."

"What do you mean where they are, are you seriously saying we don't have them?" This time it was Ross who had something to say.

"That's right, we took em, and you'll have to step in the ring if ya think you can get em back."

"Now calm down Steele, they're not even worth going against, look at how weak and simple minded they are. They've lost all their memories and yet they probably thought they just were having a little trouble remembering them!" 

"If you don't start making sense or get lost... I-I'll make you!" Roy was holding his sword with a death grip as he shouted. A strange orange light began to illuminate around him growing brighter and brighter. Then as he shouted the last word he swung his sword. Normally it would have been pointless because of how far away the silhouettes were, but a strange orange arc of light shot from the sword heading right for the woman silhouette.