by Mina
The air was cool and calm as thesun set over the land. Taki stood in the doorway of a large Chinese temple. She stepped outside and walked across the clearing and into the forest. She wandered through the thick foliage thinking and occassionally stopping to use Rekki-Maru the cut back a stubborn branch that was in her way.
She was the "Underground Hunter" Taki, a demon slayer who had won many victories. She had been born with supernatural powersto seal or destroy demons. She had saved many lives and souls from a fate worse than death. But most importantly she had fought the greatest evil of all, Soul Edge, and won. A stray branch scratched at her face but Taki ignored it and kept on walking and thinking.
Although she had many great accomplishments, she felt empty and alone. She had been forced to leave her people many years ago and she instinctively squeezed the handle of Rekki-Maru. Take recalled that she'd always been alone after that until she'd saved Sopithita from being destroyed by the Evil blade.
Take had helped nurse Sophitia back to health and had hoped that they could become friends since they shared the same destiny. But Sophi had fallen in love with Rotheon and Taki distanced herself once more. As she recalled seeing the two happy people, she had known then that that was not a life for her, a life with a husband and children. She had set out on her won again to fight demons and regain control of her world.
But now Taki questioned herself. Did she really want to be alone for the rest of her life? She remembered how happy Sophitia had was, and for a moment, she wished for the same kind of companionship.
The sun was lower on the horizon and she stepped from the woods into a meadow. A branch snapped behind her and her senses instantly aware of a presence behind her.
An evil presence. Taki whipped around and a demon was charging straight towards her and making ugly hissing noises. She dodged its attack and quickly pulled her sword from its sheath and counterattacked. The demon reared up higher and attacked again, barely missing Taki. She finally succeeded in stabbing her sword thought the demon and sealed the evil away.
Taki stood alone in the meadow, a small breeze playing with the ends of her hair. Smiling sadly to herself, Taki realized that she would forever walk a solitary path. She would always be a lone warrior with a chosen fate. Squaring her shoulders, Taki turned towards the forest and prepared herself for the walk back to the temple.
