A Creature of No Importance

Authors note: Hey, really sorry for the long wait. Hope you enjoy it nonethe less.

Part 3: Monster

What Comes From the Forest

13.

This forest is terrible.

It is darker then anything I-I’ve ever been in, and…

I’m so scared. Even the trees here are angry. They creak and moan, and I just know that they want me dead. There’s dried blood on the twisted and knotted bark, I can see it close up. It smells and it’s ingrained deep into the wood.

And the sun, the trees hardly ever let the sun through, even though it is the one thing I have really come to love out here.

I hate this place. I hate it.

Everything I meet tries to eat me, they all look the same. Slavering jaws with oversized tongues and beady eyes, all smelling of rot and decay, it makes me throw up every time. They’ll eye me hungrily, licking their lips and flexing their dirty claws.

‘An easy feed.’ they grin ‘A juicy, fresh young feed…’ and all I can do is crouch into a ball and cover my ears as their wide grins disappear into nothing.

Nothing can touch me, so I walk alone. My gown is torn now, and dirty. It may be immune to my spores, but the forest still takes its toll. All of my skin is grubby too, stuck with mud and twigs in my hair. It bothered me at first, all this dirk and muck, but I really don’t care that much any more. I couldn’t care less what happens to me, this place is so horrible.

I sniff, letting my tears fall down the worn tracks of my face.

I don’t even know how long I’ve been here for. A week? More?

At night I climb up the nicer looking trees so that the night prowlers don’t find me. I have to be careful, though, not to fall off the branches in my sleep, so I never get too much rest. Not that you can in this place.

Every day, all I can do is wander aimlessly, hiding and being scared all the time. I’m sick of being scared, and now I don’t even have my own cell to feel safe in.

I’m so hungry too, there’s nothing to eat out here at all. I tried to eat the plants at first, but they all made me so sick, so I’m left with munching on the few that don’t make me too ill.

Yesterday I came across a dead carcass, a fresh one, still steaming. I couldn’t tell what or who it used to be, but all that meat made my mouth saliva, and my stomach growled in painful agreement. I reached out tentatively to touch it, looking around in case anyone was watching. I was so hungry, starving, I had to eat, I had to. I could almost taste the blood on my tongue.

But a twig snapped, something else was nearby, and I fled.

And I am still hungry now, even though the thought of what I almost did makes me queasy. I may end up doing it eventually.

14.

I saw his shape as I was waking up. He stood out so much, apart from all the other forest creatures I have seen.

Blinking my bleary eyes, I catch a glimpse of his fair hair and clean robes as he walks on the forest floor beneath me.

Clean, is what I thought, he’s not from here.

It makes me breathless.

As quietly as I can, I clamber down my tree. I’m shaking, though, I cannot help it. I fall to the earth with a thud, and roll behind the tree in case he has heard.

But he keeps walking, he hasn’t stopped, so I scamper behind, hiding behind the roots and trees of the forest. It almost becomes a game. Sometimes he’ll stop, and turn his head like he’s thinking, and I’ll freeze, hoping I haven’t been seen.

His white cape almost glows in the darkness of the forest, like a beacon, and I wonder why he has not attracted the attention of other inhabitants.

I hope not. I want to keep this discovery to myself.

He’s started walking again, and carefully, I flit from shadow to shadow. I’m curious, he seems so out of place, so how is it that he seems to know where to go? Even I don’t know where we are, and I’m supposed to be an inhabitant of this place!

I wonder if the other forest dwellers are like me, if the roam randomly, catching their prey when it stumbles upon them. Or maybe they do actually know the tracks and ways of the forest, maybe it just takes time.

Snap!

Ah! I stepped on a twig by accident, I’m so clumsy! It snapped so loudly, he surely heard it. Yes, he’s staring right at me! Gods his eyes are so scary, he’s frowning slightly, smiling a little as well. It’s so creepy I want to cry. I stay very still, hoping that he’ll turn away.

Oh, why did I follow him? He’s obviously much stronger then me, this was such a stupid idea. What if he kills me? I bite my lips and clamp a hand over my nose so that he doesn’t hear me. I’m trembling, and I think I’m sporing too.

Please, let him go, please let him not notice.

I don’t want to die.

The sound of something being pulled taught comes faintly, and I can’t help myself. I open one of my eyes to peek out.

Bad idea, bad idea! But I can’t help myself.

He has a bow! Aiming at ME!

And he’s seen me! Even though I jerk my head back behind the tree trunk, I know he’s seen me. Cold sweat breaks out over my skin and my stomach rolls over.

He’s going to kill me for sure!

The plants next to me, the ones I’m hiding in, are smoldering.

‘Come out at once, sneaking forest beastie. Maro has heard you a-creeping all along.’

Eep! He’s speaking to me! What can I do? Should I run, or pretend I’m not here?

‘Don’t keep Maro waiting!’ he says almost in a singsong voice ‘Little monster, I know you’re there. Or don’t you want to play anymore?’

I whimper. It’s no good, he’ll only get angry if I don’t obey him. Maybe if I run out he’ll forgive me for following him and let me go. Oh, what should I do? What if he shoots me on the spot? What if my dust isn’t enough to protect me?

‘Shame,’ He speaks softly, and it scares me even more ‘I was looking forward to some…‘

Soft twang and…

ARROWS!

Sharp, blinding fast, searing through branch and trunk. Splinters flying and flashes of metal. Down, down, bearing down and tearing at everything. Stripping everything to nothing.

I scream.

I crouch into a ball as the arrows strike through everything around me. Arms over my head I sob, terrified. Never been so terrified before.

‘No! Ple-ase! No more’ I cry rawly, when at last the storm of arrows stops.

Sharp intake of breath, and I am scampering and stumbling out from behind the now broken tree. I trip over a root and fall hard on my knees, stinging as the skin is scrapped off.

Tears b-burst out of my eyes and I can’t help but wail, I don’t want to die!! I t-try to hold back my s-sobs, but they keep escaping. I stand up, but only because he’s looking at me with such distaste, a-nd I can’t stand it.

‘Uh-I didn’t mean no harm, I s-swear!’ I sobbing furiously, not bothering to wipe my eyes dry. They ha-ted it when I cried, I shouldn’t cry ‘I-I’m s-sorry…’

I clasp my hands to my chest and keep my eyes to the ground, hiccuping. I’m too a-afraid to look up. I think I’ve m-melted the ground too, but he hasn’t said anything yet.

Please don’t kill me!

A long silence stretches out, leaving me more and more nervous with each m-minute. A lot of ground is melted now, around my feet.

‘Oh ho ho, but look at this!’ He exclaims suddenly, and I am startled into looking up at him.

He smirks at me a-as I look up, wide eyed.

‘A little forest monster, melting all around her, well, Maro is impressed. Not one of my arrows touched you.’ He smirks again and I hang my head.

He’s w-rong, I-I…

I…

‘I’m not a monster…’ I mumble quietly into my hands, staring at the ground.

‘Oh?’ I hear him say, ‘Is that so?’

I nod, still staring down, crying. He chuckles lightly, almost like he’s amused. Why? I haven’t even said anything funny. And then he turns and walks away.

I can’t help myself. I don’t think. Fear almost suffocates me at the thought of being left alone, all alone, again. I can’t bear it.

‘Wait! Don’t l-leave me!’ I cry, reaching out for him.

As soon as I’ve said it I clamp a hand over my mouth in horror. Only just before he tried to kill me before! What was I thinking? He stops mid-step.

Trembling, I wait, because it’s true. I don’t want to be left alone. Even th-ough he is so much stronger, and scarier then Doctor White ever was, I’d rather be with him them then left behind in this forest.

Slowly, he turns, and oh-I’m so nervous.

‘Little forest creature would rather come with I?’

‘Yes! J-just don’t leave me alone here!’

‘What makes you think that Maro wants you?’ He asks coyly.

Crushed. All I can do is stand there. Hopeless. Of course he doesn’t want me. Why would he? I feel miserable. Empty, defeated. I really am worthless, a-aren’t I? Useless, a r-real failure, maybe I deserve to be here, i-in this miserable forest.

‘O-ok…’ I mumble submissively, worrying at the hem of my tattered gown.

I’m not wanted. I turn to leave. To shuffle away back to the shadows and darkness. To the gloom.

‘Maybe…’ He begins softly and I freeze.

‘Oh ho ho, this indeed will be rich. What will Ajira say when she sees you, forest creature? What will the Master think of me for bringing you?’ He laughs again, lifting a hand to his mouth in mirth. I bite my lip. Master? Ajira? ‘Come then, let us see then what is to be made of you.’

15.

I keep as close as I dare to the man, Basara, he told me to call him. As we walked through the golden city I cowered in his shadow. Never have I seen so much brightness, so much sky! It almost frightens me, but I try to be brave, so as not to shame Basara.

Only vaguely can I see the people of this city. When I scrunch up my eyes, though, I can just make out their features.

They are beautiful!

So tall and elegant! So clean and graceful compared to…to anything I’ve ever seen before! They look down at me though, and I understand. I’m so dirty and mucky. I’m not worthy to even be here, to see them, and I think the only reason that they don’t kill me straight away is because I’m with Basara.

Looking up at him, he is so bold and just as beautiful as they are. I always try to sneak a look at him when his attention is else where. It’s just, I’ve never seen anyone like him! Doctor White was a sickly sort of pale, but Basara is perfect. His cheeks are smooth and flawless, and his fair hair almost shines!

Heat rises in my cheeks and I look down at my bare feet, following his footsteps.

I try not to make any noise at all, and I haven’t asked any questions. I don’t want to annoy him at all, so I must keep on my best behavior.

We walk through the golden city for ages. It changes too, the deeper we get, the more gates we pass, and I am so impossible lost in this maze. It’s almost worse then the forest.

The guards here are so much more fiercer then the ones that used to guards me back in my cell. I feel like they want to rip me to shreds, much less let me through their massive gates, but Basara gives a word, and they don’t dare refuse him.

It makes me proud to be in his shadow.

Some time later, I’m not sure how much later, we arrive in a room in a castle. I’m not really sure how exactly we got here, but it’s very dark, and very creepy. And I’m very tired, though, I’ve been very good. I haven’t complained at all.

The hair on the back of my neck prickles and all of my skin goes shivery. Something in my blood screams danger, for the atmosphere in this place is suffocating. Worse then the forest, and so much more hungry. My breathing quickens, and Basara must have heard me, for he looks down sharply.

‘Behave yourself, it is a great honour for you to set eyes upon the Master.’ He speaks quietly and for the first time there is no trace of haughtiness in his voice ‘Show respect.’

I nod energetically. I don’t really know how I should act, but I keep my eye on Basara with the idea to copy whatever he does in the hopes that it is right. How does one show respect?

Thick incense clogs the air, making me sneeze, even though I try to keep it in. Shimmering, pale curtains veil the room in adjacent rows, leading us forward. They hang lightly in the air, despite the heavy atmosphere, and I think that they are ever so pretty. I try to make out the figures at the end, but I just can’t.

This feels like a dream, so unreal. I try to be quiet, but my breath comes quicker, and I am trying my very best not to be afraid or frightened. I don’t think that this Master person will be happy if I melt his pretty curtains and richly decorated room.

Slowly, we approach the end. I peek out from behind Basara to see the ten bowed figures before a raised platform. Heavy smoke surrounds the draped figure lying prone on a mass of blankets.

I take a sharp intake of breath, the pressure! It’s so much thicker here! I want to run, flee, get away, but I can’t. I ignore my instincts, barely, force them to the back of my mind. I grind my teeth. Be brave! Other, heavily decorated cloaked people move slowly away form the draped man in the center.

So scary! I choke.

But Basara has already walked up to the others and is kneeling beside them. He’s left me behind! So quickly I run up behind him and kneel, just like he’s done. No one looks my way. A good thing, I think.

‘You are almost late, Basara.’

A deep masculine voice, surprisingly strong speaks from the frail, covered shadow. It makes me tremble in fear, and it is a struggle not to panic, not to spore.

‘Forgive me, my Lord, I was…sidetracked.’

I wince.

The voice chuckles, and a bead of sweat breaks out on my forehead. I don’t like this place, no, not at all. Frightening, I almost want to be alone…

‘You surprise me, Basara, have you bought your ‘distraction’ with you? I smell the stink of a forest dweller. Why?’

His almost light tone turns darker, sinister, a threat, so suddenly I’m shaken. Harsh.

The other figures murmur disapprovingly amongst themselves. I whimper, voice of cold, cruel steel, yes, and I clamp my teeth down on my lip, tasting blood. Hoping, needing the distraction. If not, I’ll panic, and then everything will go horribly wrong, and they’ll be so mad at me…

‘My Lord, I thought she may be useful.’

How can he be so calm? So unconcerned? Or maybe…maybe he knows that only I will get into trouble, I’m so clearly not meant to be here.

So scared.

‘Useful?’ Criticism, dubious of any use that I could be, and I agree. I am so small ‘In what way, Basara? I have trusted your judgement before, What makes this creature any reason to do the same?’

‘My Lord…I believe…Maro thinks that she…may be an…adequate replacement for Santera-‘

Cut off by out rage, indignation, ANGER. All so strong, from all of them, everywhere, at me, at Basara. Hating me now, imposter, I yell. Jump onto my feet and stagger back, away. I can’t bear it, can’t hold it in.

‘Have you lost your head, stupid Basara-‘

‘Her? Replace-

‘Outrage!’

Figures glare, glower, curse at me, will me away, and a painful lump in my throat expands, choking me. Disdain, dismissal.

‘Filth from the forest?’

‘Never! Let me devour-

The Master stands abruptly, all at once the fall silent. He and Basara have not spoken a word, and I stumble back, away, for my skin is aching. The cloaked figure strides towards me, NO! He’s going to kill me! He seizes a sword from one of his men without missing a step and I cry out, falling.

Fear, FEAR!

RUN! But too much fear has me, I cannot move any more.

Two-

-more-

-steps and he swings the sword up high and-

Pain flaring across my skin, screaming, aching. DUST FLOWING OUT of every pore on every surface and the lump in my throat bursts as I wail. Scream.

LEAVE ME ALONE!

Melt it all away as they leap back in horror. Dust swarms and burns, eats away at every surface. The Masters sword is gone, and his hand is burned in my fear. Tears freely flowing as I sob. Crumple to the ground. DUST, dust, set me apart. Keep them away. Monster, bad monster I am. Lost control, they hate me. Look at their abhorrence, even Basara, Basara who spared you did not leave you alone, and their Master, burned and wide eyed.

I sink to the ground in a heap, closing my eyes and covering my ears. Curl up on my side, shaking, forget them all.

‘Sorrysorrysorry, I’m sorrydidn’t mean tosorry…’

Long time, and no one speaks, and my voice is hoarse and sore and my eyes are red and raw.

Finally, all I can do is lie there, too tired, too weary. So much has happened; I just want the dark, the quiet. I want Lady, to tell me a story. My cell and the familiar. At least I knew my place there. Wait, listen, tentatively, for I can feel my spores have stopped.

What did I do? How much did I melt?

They are talking, that is, the Master and Basara.

‘…the forest, you say?’ Cold intriguement.

‘Correct, my Lord, but not for long, I think…’

‘That dust…but of course, that’s why you bought her…’

‘Yes, I had heard…concealed from us…’

‘…Mibu…much to answer for…’ Dangerous.

Their voiced are fading. I can’t hear properly, can’t even see now. I’m so tired, exhausted, hungry and miserable. I whimper, pitiful, still scared, still frightened.

Still-

‘You!’

And the harshness of his tone begs no disobedience. My eyes snap open, rigid, again with fear. Clumsily, I try to scramble up, but I am too weak, too drained. I have not eaten since…not probably…

But he holds my gaze and my mind cannot wander. He has me trapped, and despite the burn that scars one eye(did I do that?) his gaze is truly fearsome.

‘I name you Santera of the Twelve Gods Shogun. Acknowledge your unending fealty to me, Lord Nobunaga the Seventh Demon King!’

‘Uh-I…I…ok-‘

‘My retainers, acknowledge her! And destroy her should she ever betray me!’

‘Hai.’

He laughs, almost maniacally, delighted. He swept away into the shadows, cross, and I sink into unconsciousness.

16.

It is strange, the way things have changed now.

I’m clean, though my gown is so torn, I don’t think that I’m quiet as grubby as I used to be. And I’m full, too. They fed me, lots of good food that I’ve never tasted before. It was marvelous, I dug in right away with my fingers to scoop in as much as I could, until the Basara scolded me. He said I have to learn to eat properly, gracefully. I mustn’t show him or the Master up.

They’ve done so much for me, I’ve never been so well looked after like this, ever.

Being apart of the Twelve is good, I surmise. Even if I am afraid of them all, I know that they won’t hurt me. Mostly they just ignore me, which is ok, really. The Master, though, he really frightens me. When I’m near him, I can feel the dangerous swell of power under his skin. Lurking, waiting.

They did try to give me new clothes, but they smoldered so easily, it was decided best to stick with the gown. When Basara asked me where I got it from, I told him about Doctor White, and about how he made the solution thing. I guess he must have told the Master, for soon after, we were called to wait on him, and Doctor White was summoned.

Summoned!

That’s how powerful the Master is. Just one word and Doctor White has to come running, straight away!

Doctor White, who kept me locked up for so long, who was so mean when he found out about the solution! The thought of seeing him again makes me very nervous. I was so bad when I ran away, he’s probably so angry with me.

Would Doctor White recognize me though? It’s been a while since I saw him last. What if he wants me back? A knot in my stomach tightens at this thought. Even though I know They won’t send me back. I asked Basara about it before.

‘Him?’ Basara gave a derisive chuckle ‘That fool has no authority over you anymore. You serve Lord Nobunaga now.’

So we wait, behind the Master, for Doctor White to come. When he does, I sidle back a little, hoping that he won’t notice me, but he does.

Almost immediately his eyes are narrow, and he hisses softly ‘-You.’

But his gaze doesn’t linger long on me. The Master demands it, speaking down at the Doctor, as if he were dirt beneath his feet!

The Master tells him he has to make me clothes, fit for my station.

There’s a thrill in my chest as I see the Doctors face screw up tighter ad tighter in outrage and indignation. He thinks he’s the cleverest man in the world, but I think that the Master must surely be better then him in every way.

‘C-clothes? What? I am a scientist, not some common-‘ He spits out, indigent, angry, he thinks they are mocking him.

And suddenly, the Master rises out of his throne, tall and stately. He takes three steps towards White, who visibly quails.

I can’t see the Masters face, but I can hear the superiority in his voice. He could cut down Doctor White in an instant, I realize. White is nothing compared to the Master’s strength.

‘A curious thing, isn’t it Doctor,’ It’s almost conversational, but for the seething contempt and veiled threat behind his tone ‘for I was under the…impression, on your information not less, that the Dragonscale Project was a complete failure.’

The coldness, the power chills me to the bone. The Master is so, so scary, I can hardly breath. White seems to be struggling, too, like he doesn’t know what to say. The Master lets him stew for a while, though we all know the Doctor has nothing to say.

‘It seems that some how you forgot to mention this girl in your reports, hmm? And an immunity too? My you have been careless with your reports, Doctor.’

Doctor White’s face has paled, ashen at the Masters words. His eyes flicker distractedly.

‘Not to fear, though.’ At this, the Master inclines his head slightly. Benevolently. He sounds casual, easy going, but there’s something…terrifying in his words. Something d-dangerous that makes me shiver ‘She found her way to me in the end. You must be relieved, I’m sure. But you see…she needs to be clothed as suited for her rank. She is one of the Twelve, after all.’

Eventually, my former keeper manages to spit out something of a promise and agreement, before stiffly walking away. Basara has a small smile on his face, though the Master remains indifferent.

The Master didn’t want me walking around in a dirty little gown, you see, it will make him look bad. We are Gods, Gods of War, serving the Master, and though…I don’t really know what it all means just yet, it can’t be a bad thing.

You see, I’ve never been so well cared for in my life.

17.

It’s a thing called respect and loyalty. Things that are due unconditionally, expected automatically, owed.

Respect, to hold in esteem or honor. Loyalty, the act of binding yourself, intellectually or emotionally, to a course of action or person.

I’m…not familiar to these ideas. I’ve always been alone. I’ve never had to fight for someone. In fact, I never wanted to fight at all. I don’t think I respected the Lady. I liked her with me, she was smart, but I don’t think it’s quiet the same thing as with the Master.

I always did what I was told, not because of loyalty, because I was scared.

Of course, I’m still scared now and here. The other Gods are so powerful, so strong, but they ignore me. They don’t really bother that much with me. But the thing is, they’re not trying to scare me. They know they’re stronger then me, so they ignore me, they don’t need to prove anything.

I think…I think I can respect them for that.

Loyalty though, I’m not too sure about. I’ll obey the Master, I can’t afford not too, but I am too small to have anything of great importance to do with him. Basara does, I can tell that much. The Master trusts his judgement, too.

‘Loyalty?’ The one named Ajira laughs ‘We are loyal because he is powerful! The Master is on a divine path to greatness, make no mistake. He is great, and we follow him so as to bathe in that greatness.’

Blinking, I look up at her through my new glasses, drinking in her musical voice. Basara smiles at her words.

‘Loyalty is unconditional, Santera, for so is the Master.’

‘Hah, and Maro has always been attracted to greatness, no?’ Ajira arches an eyebrow, and Basara meets her coy gaze evenly. I feel left out a little, like a watcher. Only she can call him Maro. I am only in their shadows after all.

Greatness, to be great, if we share his shadow, then none can touch us. Touch me. Our loyalty to him will make us untouchable.

The Master frightens me, so I can respect him, I guess. Loyalty though, unconditional loyalty…I’m not sure about that. I think, if anything, though I should never say these words out loud, the one who I could follow forever is Basara.

He bought me here, and as long as I am with him, I’ll be safe.

18.

This is it. The call to war.

Lord Nobunaga’s time has come, and he is to ascend to his rightful place as shogun of this land.

The Mibu have said it will be, so it will be.

I…we are to follow him to battle. I am frightened, actually. Terrified, and the others will mock me for it sometimes.

They are preparing now, fearful helms and plated armor. Even the Antera, a girl my age is armed up for battle. It is amazing, and she glares at me from under a helmet when she sees my stare. I drop my eyes immediately. She’s a violent one, and far stronger then I will ever be.

I am not to wear armor. They say it is too hard to make, though I am sure it is just Doctor White making excuses. Besides, the Master has told me that I don’t need it. He says that my spores alone will protect me. He says he trusts that it will, and I feel obliged to prove him right.

We are to march onto Sekigahara, to decimate the Tokugawa and Uesugi armies. They say they will fall before our might.

I am afraid.

The horn calls, and we are ready. I look for Basara, so finely adorned, and move towards him. He doesn’t mind if I shadow him, as long as I don’t get in the way. We move out, nodding to each other, an eager gleam in their eyes.

They are ready for this battle. They hunger for it. Four of our number are flesh eaters, and they make no effort to hide their anticipation for human meat. Sometimes they snap teasingly at me, making me flinch and cower. They forget, sometimes, that I am poisonous.

I shudder.

We gather behind the Master, high on his fine white steed. A feeling of awe swells up in my chest, he looks untouchable! He runs his cold gaze over us all, wordless, before turning round his steed and riding away.

We follow.

We are ready.

Authors note: Again, terribly sorry for the long wait, but its mainly due to two things;

a) I have just started university, so spare time is short, and;

b) I have also started to write my own original novel, which has priority.

I will still try to update this every so often, as I still do get inspiration for it. Hows the latest volume 26? New Sanada warriors whoo!

As for my original fic, it can be found on fictionpress (under the name sckry)on the below address if any of you are interested. Would love to hear you opinion on it!

Thanksfor being so patient!

edit, ok so its not going to let me post the link, here it is extended, so just remove the spaces, sorry!

www . fictionpress . com / sckry