The Oni Slayers: Chapter 10

nakamura-ryousuke
Feb 1, 2015
7 min read

“Takuya what is going on!” said Takuya’s mother. “Mom! Quick, get in the car!” shouted Takuya. “What are you doing here!” his mother said abruptly. “Never mind that, just get in the car!” ordered Takuya. He shoved his mother into the car and slammed the door. His mother banged on the window but, Takuya gave her no attention. He continued to search the trunk among the weapons and ammunition. Shimura on the other hand was running low on ammunition. He kept dodging the oni’s attacks back and forth with his flash step. The oni’s claws kept slashing but, missed, hitting the pavement each time. Takuya entered the fight with a flamethrower. Burning its foot with mighty flames, the beast turned and slammed Takuya across the street with its paw. It dunked it head to take a full bite out of Takuya but, he took out a pistol-like object and fired at the oni’s face. A net was unleashed and grasped onto the oni’s snout. Unable to bite, the canine beast shook its head and used its claws to remove the net.

Shimura picked up the tossed flamethrower and burned the oni’s tail. Provoked, the oni scrambled on all limbs trying to catch Shimura. Shimura ran up an undamaged fence and leaped onto the oni’s head. The oni shook its head vigorously and blood sprayed everywhere. A few splats had made its way across Takuya’s face. “Transformation: Oni no Te!” incited Shimura. His right arm elongated and began to expand. The skin turned black with a trail of white running along the skin. Fingers grew talons and the entire arm emitted a silver aura. With a new arm, Shimura dug his claw into the oni’s right eye. The oni let out a cry and roared in pain. Going even further, Shimura dug his arm deeper into the socket and pulled out the eye. With one hand, he pulverized the eye leaving a bloody piece of gunk. The oni moved violently emitting high pitched squeals from its bound snout. Shimura chopped his arm deep into the oni’s head and ran the claw across the scalp leaving an extremely deep cut. More blood spurted out from the wound staining Shimura’s clothes. The oni fell and rolled over on the ground. Shimura was thrown off and got on his feet. Takuya took his handgun and fired at the beast’s moving head. “Where’s that electroshock weapon?!” shouted Takuya. “It’s already broken! We need a new one!” replied Shimura. “What about your bazooka!” “I’m all out of ammo! Quick it’s moving again!” “Goddammit! I have only a grenade left! What about your sword!” “It’s not with me!” “How could you not bring it!”

The oni slammed its paw on Takuya but, he dodged its attack. He threw his last grenade at the oni which exploded in its face. Still alive and greatly angered, the oni leaped towards Takuya’s direction. “Transformation: Oni no Te Ultima!” Shimura’s arm grew even longer and the talons grew longer as well. The arm stretched to grab the oni by the throat. The oni tried to resist the pull and was thrown to the ground. The talons sunk deep into the flesh leaving little streams of blood to trickled down Shimura’s arm. His grip tightened and crushed the creature’s throat. The creature’s head was slowing being squeezed apart from the neck until it hung by a few strands of skin and fell to the ground. Blood rained on to Shimura soaking his blue hair. “Our business here is done,” said Shimura. “There’ll be a clean up crew soon.”

Shimura and Takuya walked back to the car where Takuya’s mother waited anxiously inside. “What was all that?! Are you alright? You’re covered in blood,” said Takuya’s mother. “It’s alright, Mom. Everything’s over. It’s not my blood anyway,” said Takuya. His mother fished her pocketbook for a tissue and handed some to Takuya. “Here,” said his mother and handed some to Shimura. “Thank you very much,” said Shimura. “This is my mom and Mom, this is Shimura who I work with,” introduced Takuya. “It is an honor to meet you,” greeted Shimura formally. Takuya’s mother stayed silent. The stifling silence on the ride home did nothing to ease the tense atmosphere.

“Is this why you’re coming home late?” questioned Takuya’s mother. “Yes. I fight oni,” answered Takuya. “You will not continue this kind of work,” she said sternly. “I can’t stop. This is my job.” “Do you want to end up like your dead father! Your job is to go to school and stay safe. ” “Why not! He risked his life to save others!” argued Takuya. “I already lost a husband! I don’t want to lose a son!” shouted his mother. “I won’t die so easily! Saiyou and Shimura watch over me!” “What if they can’t! What if it’s too much for them? They can’t always watch over you!” “I have skills of my own! I was meant to fight! I was born an oni slayer!” “Just because you survived this time doesn’t mean you’re lucky next time! Who are these people brainwashing you? Do you really think you’re a hero?” “I have it!” said Takuya fiercely. “Have what?” mocked Takuya’s mother. “This power! It’s like a special aura. I can do magic!” explained Takuya. “Look at yourself. What have they done to you?” “They didn’t do anything to persuade me. Saiyou was the one who saved me ...” explained Takuya. “Go clean up, Takuya. I don’t want to argue anymore,” said his mother now tired. Takuya and his mother didn’t exchange words for the next two days. He tried avoiding conversation at all costs.

The phone rang one afternoon. “Hello?” answered Takuya’s mother. “Eiko? Is that you?” said an elderly voice. “Father!” said Takuya’s mother surprised. Takuya’s paternal grandfather was coming over to live with them for a while. The old man appeared at the front door with only one simple trunk. He was bald and had small eyes but, wore a smile on his face. Wearing only simple kimono and clogs, he rang the doorbell. “Ojii-chan!” answered Takuya merrily. “Takuya, it’s good to see you. How’s my grandson?” “Move your grandfather’s things upstairs!” called Takuya’s mother from the kitchen. “Let me give you a hand, Eiko,” said Takuya’s grandfather. “You go on ahead Takuya. We’ll talk later.” The old man washed his hands and helped himself to cutting daikon. “We’re having sukiyaki today? That sounds good. Junpei was very fond of sukiyaki.” “Yes,” said Eiko. “It’s been a while since I made it.” “I still remember the taste of it even though I haven’t had it in a long time,” smiled the old man. “It’s not so easy to forget the things you love.”

After dinner, Takuya’s grandfather knocked on Takuya’s door. “Takuya?” “Jii-chan, come in.” Takuya’s grandfather took a seat near Takuya’s desk. “My, you have grown so much since I last saw you.” “Yeah.” “Your jii-chan here has a protective amulet for you. It’s been in the family for a very long time.” The old man took out a small jade lion dangling on a piece of red string. “There are lots of dangers in this world. The least I can do is give you a bit of protection. The rest is up to you,” said Takuya’s grandfather. “They said it’s a Chinese charm that was passed down in the Ryuzaki family. It’s effective against many things. Carry it with you at all times. Your mother doesn’t believe me and I don’t expect you to believe in the existence of such monsters.” “I do believe in them. I saw them my own eyes.” “Oh? So you have seen them?” “I even fought against a couple.” “So you’ve gone that far already? That was quick.” “I fight with my two friends, Saiyou and Shimura.” “Saiyou huh? So the two of you already met.” “You know him too, ojii-chan!” said Takuya excitedly. “One of the finest oni slayers I’ve seen so far. And a half demon too.” “He told me that too.” “I’m surprised he told you that. Living in the human world gave him a bit of pressure and caused him to be quite an inward person. Perhaps he’s grown out of it. I’m glad of that.” “Jii-chan, how do you know Saiyou? Could you be ...” asked Takuya. “Ah, your jii-chan is getting tired,” yawned Takuya’s grandfather. “Even though bullet trains are fast in this age, it was such a long day of travel coming here to Tokyo from the countryside. We will talk another time. Don’t forget. Wear the amulet at all time. Good night, Takuya.” “Good night,” said Takuya a little disappointed.

It was February. Japan was cold to the extent of fingers turning purple if exposed for too long. Takuya could see his breath as he walked outside. Chocolate samples and cards were put on display and store windows were cluttered with teddy bears and hearts. Takuya eyed a brown teddy bear holding a plush heart. It was a gift he had gotten Tsukino, the previous year. Takuya’s phone vibrated in his pocket disrupting his chain of thought. “Hello?” answered Takuya. “It’s Saiyou.” “Hey.” “We got another mission.” “I don’t think my mom would like that.” “Then don’t come.” “I’m coming no matter what.” “Parking lot. Third car to the right.” Takuya identified the said car. Between the windshield wipers was a parking ticket attached. Lifting the parking ticket, Takuya turned to see a note scribbled behind. Empty warehouse near abandoned building. Takuya took a turn a turn around the parking lot and saw the said abandoned building. He slowly slid the warehouse door open. “Saiyou?” whispered Takuya. “Boo,” said Saiyou appearing from behind. “Ahh!” screamed Takuya in surprise and tripped on some tires. Shimura laughed and pulled Takuya from the ground. “That was mean, Saiyou,” said Takuya. “It’s not time for a joke,” said Saiyou. “An oni will be making an entrance from the demon world. Rumors have it that someone is conjuring it up. The organization has set up communications and will locate the presence of youki.” “We’ve got a signal,” said Shimura checking his phone. “C’mon, let’s go!”