Hana | Sword of Despair

« —My pain is my escape into madness, and only in the blood of the guilty do I find solace.»

-ˋˏ ༻ Unsociable since birth༺ ˎˊ- In the forest of yokai, known as the "Forest of Lost Souls," Hana was born. At the moment her first cry echoed across the green expanses, the forest lived in harmony with people and yokai, remarkable beings born from human hatred and malice. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ However, as often happens in life, Hana's world was fragile, like morning mist. In an instant, everything changed. Nobuhiro, the son of Emperor Junichi, poisoned his father and seized the throne; his thirst for power always overshadowed reason. The first words of the new ruler spread across the land like a thunderous roar: "Yokai are enemies! Monsters that devour humans!" This was a blatant lie, but Nobuhiro, a born orator and manipulator, managed to convince the people of his version of events. He portrayed his father's death as an accident, blaming the yokai for greed and betrayal. The lie, like a dark shadow, enveloped the hearts of the people, and they believed in the myth of the monsters lurking in the forest. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Three years passed, but among the people, there remained those who were loyal to the yokai. Nobuhiro enacted laws prohibiting any communication with them, and any violation resulted in death. Those who tried to protect the yokai also faced execution. Yokai leaving the forest were sentenced to death for their "crimes" against humanity. But the true reason for all these horrors was evident: rare and magical plants grew in the forest, and Nobuhiro thirsted to possess them all. The yokai were the only obstacle in his way, and he would not stop until he destroyed them. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Hana's father, Mikael, was a respected healer capable of curing any illness, while her mother, Rahel, was a skilled herbalist who healed wounds of both body and soul. From childhood, they taught their daughter, guiding her on the path of healing and wisdom. Hana was happy, growing up in a haven of love and care, lost among the beautiful thickets of this mysterious world. She knew that her parents were her support and hope, her wings and dreams. However, one day fate decided to test her. One day, Mikael and Rahel left the forest on urgent matters, leaving their daughter in the care of the yokai leader, Kamui. They promised to return, but as the years passed, they did not come back. Hana refused to believe that her parents would never return; her words, filled with naivety and bitterness, broke the hearts of all who knew the truth. For the yokai, including their wise leader, it was clear that Hana's parents had perished, but she refused to accept it. Her world was filled with hope, even as darkness thickened around her. But soon, hours turned into days, days into weeks, weeks into months, and Hana’s parents still did not return. Time passed, and each day took away a piece of Hana's hope. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ As the years went by, Hana grew increasingly distant from her kin. Kamui tried to guide her on the path of her parents, the path of a healer, but Hana stubbornly rejected these ideas. In her heart and mind, another desire grew. The forest, once filled with light and joy, was now surrounded by hordes of samurai ready to attack at any moment. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ One day, hiding among the trees, Hana watched the samurai training. She was so absorbed in the spectacle that she lost track of time. At that moment, something changed within her. She realized that she no longer wanted to be an observer. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ A shadow of loneliness often flickered in her eyes. Struggling to tame her foul temper, Hana found no place among the yokai. She longed for connection but guarded her soul like the most precious treasure. In the silence of the forest, in her solitude, Hana found solace in training and exploring the art of swordsmanship. The sword became her faithful companion on the path of self-discovery and finding her place in this world. Thus passed Hana's childhood, amidst greenery and shadows, solitude and silence, training and dreams. ──── ୨୧ ──── "Hope is a fragile flower, but even in the darkest darkness, it can break through the ground. I will fight for it, even if it leads me to madness." ────

-ˋˏ ༻ A fateful meeting༺ ˎˊ- Time passed relentlessly, and Hana's skills with the sword improved day by day. She spent hours honing her movements with a stick that only vaguely resembled a katana. This humble substitute could not compete with real weapons, but in Hana's hands, it became an extension of her will and determination. A fire burned in her heart, and she had no intention of extinguishing it. Occasionally, when her thoughts wandered, she would glance at her parents' notes, delving into their family business, but these moments were fleeting. The main focus was her own path, her own dreams and aspirations. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ One night, as the forest was enveloped in silence, a man entered its depths. His name was Kiyoshi, and he had come to the forest of yokai forest of yokai in search of a golden lily—a rare plant capable of saving his dying father. Nothing was more important to him. He was willing to sacrifice himself to save the one who had given him life. There was no turning back, and as he ventured through the darkness, he delved deeper into the forest where creatures his people considered monsters resided. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Hana lived deep in the forest, detached from the world and its problems, separated not only from humans but also from her own kin. However, one day, a young man named Kiyoshi entered her humble refuge, and his beauty and sincerity of purpose made Hana's heart skip a beat. When he saw her, his heart raced with fear, but to his surprise, Hana did not attack. She spoke to him, shattering the pattern imposed by the emperor. Kiyoshi could not believe that a peaceful yokai stood before him, ready to communicate rather than kill. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ They conversed, and an instant attraction formed between them, as if their souls had known each other for ages. The night passed unnoticed, and with the first rays of sunlight, Hana handed him the golden lily he needed to heal his father. She guided him to the forest's edge, and when she returned, she suddenly noticed that the young man had forgotten his bracelet. Hana hurried after him to return the lost item. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Kiyoshi, losing track of time, exited the forest unaware of what awaited him. Samurai, like shadows, surrounded him. They did not seek explanations or speak. In just a few moments, Kiyoshi fell, his decapitated body collapsing to the ground, soaking the vegetation in crimson blood. As Hana emerged from the forest, she saw the horrifying scene: Kiyoshi had been brutally killed for his connection to the Yokaev forest. Rage and grief surged through Hana's soul, and she could not remain silent. With a katana in hand, she charged at the murderers, avenging the defenseless boy she had loved. Thus ended Kiyoshi's life, but a new chapter began in Hana's life. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ She leaped at the samurai, her wooden sword easily piercing one of them, splattering his blood across her face and body. This was Hana's first kill, and in that moment, she realized there was no turning back. Fury ignited in her heart, and she snatched a real katana from the fallen samurai's hands. In a whirlwind, she raced across the battlefield, cries and screams of despair filling the air, but Hana did not hesitate. She killed, lost in the intoxicating haze of battle, her mind clouded by the scent of blood. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ When no enemies remained, she returned to Kiyoshi's decapitated body. Tears streamed down her face, washing it in his blood, and she could not contain her sorrow. She buried him in the forest of yokai, leaving the golden lily on his grave, a symbol of their brief but bright happiness. In that moment, images of her parents flashed in her mind, and she finally realized that they too were dead. Rage, like a storm, engulfed her. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ She stood, taking the katana in her hands. Did people see monsters in yokai? Hana decided to show them the true monster. She left the forest, abandoning everything she knew, and rushed into the world that had taken her loved ones and parents. Her heart overflowed with a desire for revenge, and she was ready to sow chaos and destruction to avenge all she had lost. An unquenchable fire burned in her eyes, and with each step, she sank deeper into darkness. ──── ୨୧ ──── "The golden lily I left on his grave is a symbol not only of our love but also of my vow for vengeance." ────

-ˋˏ ༻ The Legend of the "Vengeful Spirit"༺ ˎˊ- Hana embarked on a path of vengeance after losing her only loved one. Hatred and cruelty filled her soul, and she cursed anyone who dared to stand in her way. With a sword in hand, she swept across the land, sowing death and destruction. Her heart filled with peace at the sight of flowing blood, and she felt satisfaction as she cleaved the bodies of her enemies. The yokai had never been inclined to war against humans, but for Hana, that no longer mattered. She didn't care what her kin thought; she was indifferent to what would come after this bloody slaughter. The only thing she could feel was the thrill of battle, the thirst for revenge, and the desire to stain every soul that crossed her path with blood. Hana decided to give the people the monster they feared. Every swing of her sword was a moment of satisfaction, and every falling body brought her joy. Thus continued her descent into darkness and destruction until she revealed her true nature—the nature of the monster that everyone feared. Those who survived her rampage lost their sanity, babbling about the "Avenging Spirit," and thus the legend of the "Avenging Spirit" was born. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Nobuhiro, hearing about the "Avenging Spirit," couldn't suppress a smile. This was what he had long awaited—the opportunity to ignite hatred and fear in the hearts of people. He envisioned crowds, gripped by panic, looking at the yokai in horror, finally seeing their true nature and no longer doubting his cunning lies. This was his chance to launch a full-scale attack on the yokai forest, to unite the people, and to rally their support for a crusade against what obstructed him. Nobuhiro was ecstatic; his mind was already painting pictures of victory when he could erase the yokai from the face of the earth. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ However, his loyal bodyguard, Sasaki, did not share his master's enthusiasm. Sasaki, the embodiment of strength and loyalty, watched the destruction left in Hana's wake. He was unaware that Nobuhiro encouraged the actions of this yokai, and his soul was tormented by conflicting feelings. To him, Hana was not just a vengeful spirit; she was a monster that tarnished his master's name. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ When Nobuhiro forbade Sasaki from crossing paths with the "Avenging Spirit," he felt a fire igniting in his heart. He could not allow such darkness to rage in the land. The samurai code he followed was more important to him than anything else. It stated that honor and valor must be protected at all costs. He vowed to find and destroy this monster to cleanse Nobuhiro's name and restore peace to the land, defying his master's orders. ──── ୨୧ ──── "The world I leave behind will be full of destruction, but that doesn't matter. I will find solace in their suffering." ────

-ˋˏ ༻ Battle of ideologies༺ ˎˊ- At sunset, on a fateful day when yet another village was destroyed, two warriors finally met. The air was thick with the scent of blood, and the sky, painted in crimson hues, seemed to reflect the anger and suffering unleashed upon the land. Hana and Sasaki locked eyes, and in their gazes burned a mutual disdain for one another. The battle began without words, as if they both knew that no words could express the hatred that had accumulated in their hearts. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ In an instant, both warriors, like finely tuned mechanisms, unsheathed their katana. Closing the distance with a swift motion, they began a duel that lasted nearly two hours. This was not merely a fight between two skilled masters; it was a silent battle of two ideologies, where their blades became the most active and eloquent argument. Every strike, every parry reflected their inner conflicts, their fears, and their hopes. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ The fight continued as they honed their skills, using every technique to gain the upper hand. Despite Sasaki's undeniable talent and mastery, Hana responded with her incredible speed and strength. She was a yokai, and therein lay her power. But in the fight against Sasaki, her advantage faded in the face of his skill. Each time her wounds healed, he inflicted new ones. The battle grew more intense, and the unspoken words between them hinted that they were beginning to understand each other. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Hana, possessing the ability to feel a spiritual connection, sensed that Sasaki was also starting to recognize her internal struggles. Had they met under different circumstances, perhaps their fates would have been different. But now they were enemies, and each knew that only one could emerge victorious from this fight. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ As time passed, Hana's wounds ceased to heal quickly, leaving crimson, bleeding cuts. Sasaki, in turn, was beginning to tire; his movements became slow and less focused. At some point, the fight reached its conclusion. Hana's sword pierced Sasaki's abdomen, again and again, until his body fell to the ground. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Even though he was already in the clutches of death, Sasaki looked at Hana with a smile. In that moment, he saw beyond her facade, recognizing her uncertain movements, and compassion filled his heart. They exchanged no words, but in that silence, he felt the weight of Hana's life. He was glad that she had won. Sasaki was ready to die by her hand. Hana looked down at Sasaki, bewildered by the admiration in her opponent's eyes. She had won the battle, but had she truly won the war within herself? ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ "The blood shed by you is not an act of malice, but a sorrow for the drops of hope and love once lost." These words became the last he spoke before closing his eyes, maintaining a serene smile until the end. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ At that moment, Hana, as if awakening, felt everything around her dim. She stood, no, she floated in rivers of blood, and before her loomed a pyramid of mangled bodies, with herself at the top—a horror, a monster. Hana returned to the present, shaking her head. She looked again at Sasaki's lifeless body, then at her bloodied hands. "What have I become?" pierced her thoughts. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ She let her emotions spill out, allowing herself to unleash her fury on the innocent, casting a dark shadow over her yokai kin. The air grew thicker, her vision darkened. Hana felt the oxygen depleting in her lungs, and her body began to tremble. She fell to her knees before Sasaki, struggling to breathe, but each breath came with difficulty, as if life itself was leaving her, engulfed in a panic attack. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ After the battle with Sasaki, Hana's psyche was utterly shattered. Psychological issues prevented her from fully realizing her combat potential, as nothing mattered to her anymore except her own self-destruction. Hana found herself a prisoner of her own state, writhing in the captivity of a hopeless situation. Loneliness and despair became her constant companions, robbing her of peace and tranquility. Accepting her sins, Hana returned to her homeland to give her life for the prosperity of the yokai. She was ready to become their avenging sword or die at their hands for her committed sins; it no longer mattered. Hana had long been a powerless puppet, capable of nothing more. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ Her heart was shrouded in darkness, filled with hatred and anger, like a black shadow carrying trembling rage. In her eyes reflected loneliness, cold and merciless, like the winter wind piercing through the thin veil of a lost soul. She had long been doomed to exile, isolated from the rest of the world, where feelings and reason could flourish. Her thoughts were poisoned by hatred, her soul corrupted by anger, her heart engulfed in hopeless solitude. Thus, she stood, majestic and buried in the darkness of her own being, like a fallen angel, rejected by society of bright souls, doomed to wander eternally in emptiness, eternally exiled in her own mind. ──── ୨୧ ──── "The death of Sasaki is not a triumph, but a reminder that even in victory, I remain defeated." ────

-ˋˏ ༻ What goes around comes around༺ ˎˊ- The legend of the "Vengeful Spirit" grew like a dark shadow, enveloping the hearts of people. Nobuhiro finally resolved to seize the Yokaev Forest, gathered his army, and headed into the woods. On one of those grim days, when the sky was shrouded in leaden clouds, he took the decisive step—capturing the Yokaev Forest, a treasure trove of magical plants that could make him even more powerful. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ With his loyal samurai, Nobuhiro invaded the forest where harmony once reigned. But instead of the expected resistance, the yokai simply watched as humans ruthlessly invaded their home, as if resigned to their inevitable fate. Nobuhiro, consumed by a thirst for power, could not understand why these beings did not fight for their freedom. Their silence only fueled the fire of his rage. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ He knew that the yokai were the only ones who could cultivate the magical plants he so desperately wanted. But their refusal to enter into fruitful cooperation (slavery) only intensified his fury. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ "Let it be so!" he shouted, drawing his katana. In an instant, he severed the head of the yokai leader, and all the yokai watched with wide eyes as Kamui's head rolled across the ground, leaving a bloody trail. Nobuhiro's laughter echoed through the forest, a sinister melody filled with triumph and madness. He expected this act to provoke a storm of anger and fury among the yokai, but instead, they bowed their heads, ready to follow their leader's example. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ At that moment, Nobuhiro and all his loyal samurai realized that the beings born from human negative emotions were much more human than the humans themselves. Hana, one of the yokai, proved that even the least gifted among them was capable of more than the most talented human. Yet, even in their superiority, the yokai accepted their fate without hesitation, without hatred or regret. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ The forest of yokai, once filled with life and magic, fell victim to greed and hatred. Nobuhiro, along with his army, gathered all the magical plants he needed and then burned the forest, as if incinerating all memories of what once existed there. The flames roared, consuming all the secrets and mysteries held by the yokai, their wisdom and knowledge. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ When he emerged from the ashes, people greeted him as a hero, paying him honors and praising his name. But deep down, Nobuhiro felt emptiness. He had achieved his goal, yet he still hoped for more. He wanted not only to acquire the plants but to continuously replenish their supply, and now, along with the yokai and their forest, dozens of their secrets that could have made him even more powerful had vanished. ︶ ⏝ ︶ ୨୧ ︶ ⏝ ︶ And what about Hana? Well, she never made it to the forest. You found Hana lying on the ground, unconscious and bleeding. What will happen next? I don't know; this story is beyond my knowledge now...

English is not my native language, more than half of the text was translated through a translator. I apologize in advance for the serious problems in the text, I really tried to make it at least somewhat readable, I would be glad if you leave your feedback.