Samurai Oni
TOWARDS THE END OF THE BATTLE

Day 4. Unwittingly by Akio, the third day had ended. Now the sky seems to have changed. The very dark color slowly faded, the bright sky with white clouds spread and removed the dark sky.

“How is it?”

“It's okay. He just fell asleep, and some of his injuries shouldn't matter.”

“Should?”

“Yes. Because maybe the real Warrior of Hell will appear.”

The conversation between tengu grandfather and Mizunashi, seems to sound very heavy. Akio faintly heard it but could only be silent there while his entire body felt frozen.

“Kakek Naruhaya, should we hide it?”

“Didn't you all agree not to let this child die in vain?”

“Yes, we agree on that. But ...,”

Grandpa tengu let out a tired sigh, then got up from his seat. He then walked over to Mizunashi, before leaving he patted her on the shoulder slowly while saying, “Dragon him.”

“Where are you going?”

“This old grandfather, want to get out wind for a while.” Words that sound dubious. Seeing Mizunashi staring at him uneasily, the grandfather felt somewhat uneasy.

“Yes geez. I just want to collect the bodies to one place. After all, the fourth day meant that the first disaster was over, right? So at least there is a pause even if only a little,” said grandpa tengu.

“Ya.” Mizunashi nodded his head.

While Mizunashi looks after Akio. Grandfather tengu went out on the grounds of about to collect scattered corpses. However, he had the arrival of something that should not have come. Yoka.

“Whose are you really? Why always approach my granddaughter?” ask grandpa.

“I should ask. Why would a grandfather like you hide a sword behind your clothes?” reply asked. She is a yokai woman with a nyentric red kimono, apparently covered with an oni mask.

“So since the beginning I was caught?” Grandfather turned around, and faced him. He was very surprised to see the yokai that was right in front of his eyes at this moment.

“Yes for mercy.”

“What's up? You scared?” Yokai slowly approached grandfather. Grandfather actually stepped back because he knew how strong this yokai one was.

“So this is called the Warrior of Hell? Strange and striking mention. It turns out not just a mere nickname,” said the grandfather.

In an instant, the grandfather's sword and the woman's sword clashed against each other. Swords that are the same size, short but also very sharp. It is suitable to be taken anywhere and it is not difficult to hide it.

“Looks like I underestimated you too, old man.”

“If you are younger, then respect the old. Aren't you supposed to keep that ethic?”

“Sorry only. Creatures like us don't need to learn ethics.”

With just one hand he was able to hold back the grandfather's short sword blade. But it seems he did not intentionally do that, because he prepared something behind his left hand.

“I Oni. Demons. One of the Hell Warriors you have to kill. Right no?”

He pulled out all the long claws on each nail on his right hand. The claw was covered in something that was somehow it was, but grandfather had a premonition that the liquid at the end of his claw was poison.

“With your form, I will take over. That way it'll be easy for me to kill him.”

“Takkan I let!!” Naruhaya leapt backwards, throwing the short sword, and then took the long sword which was a sword relic from one samurai corpse around.

“Ho, you want to fight? But it's a pity. You old man can't do anything!”

His speed could no longer be seen with the naked eye. The demonic woman was now in front of Naruhaya's eyes, and her poisonous claws had pierced through the soft chest.

This morning was greeted by an unusual. Naruhaya's grandfather, who had always been wearing the tengu mask, had been lying helplessly. Dead or not, all you know is the Demon Woman.

“Hei! Since last night where have you been?” The four-eyed Yokai came over.

“Oh, you came here.”

“I came here early for fear Nue would destroy our plan.”

“Do not worry. It'll be over soon, and he won't be able to find me.”

“If you're that easy. But the problem is what about me?”

“Think for yourself. Besides aren't you good at hiding behind your own "world"?” sahut the Demon Woman while taking off her mask, clothes and footwear.

With blood continuously flowing in both eyes, nostrils, earholes and even in each of his fingers, he walked up to the tengu grandfather.

“Do you intend to do it now?”

“Yes. Because there's no time. For our freedom,” he said while smiling wryly.

***

Dusk on the 4th day. Akio finally woke up from his sleep.

“Where is grandpa?”

“She went out of since noon.”

“I didn't hear the voice of the samurai or the yokai. What happened?”

“Once you wake up, that's what you asked?”

Mizunashi looked at him wistfully. Highlight the tired eyes, as well as feel like crying it is being held with all his might. The ponytail-haired man then recounted the incident during which Akio fell asleep due to fatigue and injuries.

Originally, on the first and second day, while Akio was still fighting with all his might, the battle had already consumed their manpower and strength. Not only that, but the samurai who died were increasing.

Then on the third day, where Akio was made to sleep by his own grandfather. The battle has reached its peak. In this case, there were several samurai heads of the founding clans of the country who were killed.

Like Sakanoue Benjiro, he died of bleeding. And for three consecutive days, the man with his spear continued to lash out attacks against all the yokai that were approaching the protective area.

Then, Satsuki who lost both her arms and legs. Killed for trampling by a horde of cursed yokai.

Then Kazuki, due to a long night and rain, made the frostbite stronger. She is killed due to the rest of the power of the Yuki-onna (Snow Woman).

Not spared also with small clans who were slaughtered. Not to be missed with their men, including from the followers of the founding clan. Including Mizunashi Kage, he now only remains alone. His family who were active in the battleground had been wiped out. Leave Mizunashi Kage an injured person in his internal organs.

“So. I'm so sorry. But—”

“It's not over. You knew this was gonna happen, didn't you? Ancestor,” said Mizunashi with a wry smile.

“Holyener? What do you mean call me that? I'm just a Samurai who happens to bear a strange nickname.”

Akio moved from that makeshift bed. He got up with both feet and took both swords with his hands intact.

“I'm so worried about grandpa. Where did he go?” ask Akio.

“Entahlah. I don't even know.”

“So? Then I'll look for it myself.”