SSS: Tomoe

SSS: Tomoe

…

Commissioned by Blue Flaming Wings and Ichypa

Word Count: 3538

…

I am a manslayer.

I was born of ash-brick furnaces composed of those who failed to meet the standards of my clan. The blood of prisoners tempered my steel, the minute iron within seeped within me, and their wish to live permeated my existence. My original hilt was both composed of human hair and hide. The scabbard which held me was grown of a black tree fed with the corpses and blood of those who raised their hand against those who wished for me to be made.

In the pursuit of the ultimate way to wield a blade, one must be beyond humanity in mind, body, and spirit. Since their bodies were weak, the ones who had me made intended for me to heal the wounds they incur of their techniques. They consulted mystics of the land and when they were presented a vile price for an unbreakable sword with an ever-sharp edge that would heal their own bodies… they accepted without the slightest hint of hesitation.

So, I was wrought devoid of compassion.

Nary a day after my completion, I was placed in the hands of heir of the clan. I was held by hands covered in bandages inscribed with mystic lettering to keep their body whole, yet I noticed the tears within the one who wielded me. Scars within scars. Fractures upon fractures. Strong bones due to being reforged, but with innards barely capable of function… yet, a mind filled with nothing but will and power.

In the span of a heartbeat, when I was drawn, the heir slew fifteen armed men who would be granted their freedom upon his defeat. His heart nearly burst, his bones all fractured, and his innards ruptured and bled. However, I outpaced the wounds swiftly. I healed him of his wounds, but drawing upon the deaths he bestowed, and the need to live inscribed within my innermost self.

Understanding completely what a life is, I was forced to take lives again and again, whilst healing those who say life as a mere vector to achieve true perfection.

The ages passed and nothing changed.

Always, I was wielded as the sword of the heir or leader of the clan. I changed hands often. Bereft of choice, I was used to slay, murder, and destroy whilst completely understanding my actions. Those who screamed as I fell upon them wanted to leave. The hearts I pierced were silenced and would never reknit. The bones that broke in my passing were forever broken. The innards I brought into the world would spill and stink and rot.

So, I was wielded with ever only the intent to progress the art of killing.

I was swung.

I fell.

I was thrust.

Masterfully, impeccably the ones who wielded me progressed the style they wished to bring into reality by prying me from the cold hands of the predecessors. Whether they were their mother, father, brother, sister, or of any relation, it did not matter to them. What they cared about was that I fell in their hands, so that they could progress what they wished to progress without fear of death. They undertook the pain, the suffering, and the shortening of their lives without care. As long as they contributed to the art that would be able to kill anything, they cared not for themselves, and I was merely the facilitator for their mania.

I was a tool.

The lives that made me merely a paid price.

Until, Ai.

In her hands, I felt the same chains upon all the others. However, those chains were looser. They were there, but not completely. Was it by happenstance or through machination, I did not know, but for the first time in centuries I was wielded by one who could choose their own path, even if it was constrained by the edicts the past. When I healed her of her wounds for the first time, when I took her pain and suffering away, I felt in her grip gratitude and desire.

I was wanted instead of what I allowed.

Thus, began my journey with Ai.

It was a journey where I found myself upon her hip at all times. Never did I stray from her side, whilst all my other wielders discarded me when I was not needed, though they always held me at the end of their lives. For the first time, I heard the voices of the elders of the clan, as they tried to reign in Ai. For the first time, I listened to teachings that were not situated around suffering and pain. For the first time, I was wielded against monsters instead of mankind.

Then, suddenly I was given form.

It simply happened.

I was merely a blade, then I was person, as though it were the simplest thing in the world.

Ai merely urged me to follow her when she gave me form, thus I did.

The skies fell. The walls of reality ruptured. Monsters waged war against humanity. Civilizations fell. Humanity advanced and waged war back.

And, through all that time, I stood by Ai’s side as she lived with the chains within her mind, even as she broke the clan upon her knee and scatter it to the winds. I watched her be good, kind, and heroic, whilst pursuing the art of killing at the price of being killed. She reasoned through spending funds to feed me through logic that physically strained her mind. Instead of challenging mighty warriors, she sought out monster after monster, and killing them with fewer and fewer strikes each time, no matter how much she risked her life in doing so.

Though I was created to be a manslayer, in her hands and amidst her company, I felt myself become a cherished treasure in the hands of a hero.

So, I wished to celebrate her breaking free of her shackles, no matter how little she wished to make of the matter.

And, no matter how little I wished to interact with Li Song’s blades.

…

“My, my what a guest I have today.” Masamune was a blade very few could compare to and it was apparent in her appearance alone. Dressed as royalty, she was venerated by her people, and practically deified. In comparison, I was a peasant. One used by nobility for their own ends, rather than the one worshipped and venerated by the ones who lorded over them. Even simply sitting and having tea, she seemed regal beyond measure. “Tis a blade who would have nothing to do with me and mine.”

The words were teasing, each one pronounced with a practiced smile, yet I could only lower my head before her.

We were truly and completely different. I was a being that could hardly compare to her. She was a work of art that could be used to kill, while I was made only to kill. From her exuded a genteel, graceful air, whilst I was both simple and plain. Speaking with Li Song’s blades, any of them, was an exercise for me. They were all great and grand and magnificent, whilst I was just a sword made for furthering a technique.

I did not feel worthy of them, but Ai’s relinquishment of her title was worthy of celebration, and I was incapable of speaking, unless to another blade or my wielder.

And, I could hardly have my wielder prepare her own celebration.

So, I stood before Masamune and expressed my plan.

“Ah, what a grand idea. I am more than willing to help.” Rising from her seat, Masamune’s dress shifts and flows as she walks. She looks to be wearing a painting fit for humanity’s greatest museums, but the thought of asking her to discard it was beyond my mind. The divine dress would be lesser if it were not upon her. “My wielder, of course, needs to celebrate the taking of the title upon himself. Ah, me and my sisters need to thank Ai for all that she’s given to Li Song… which, from what I’ve heard, includes you?”

For the briefest of moment, I fear that Masamune abhorred the idea, then I saw a hint of familiarity within her smile that I saw typically only upon Ai’s face.

That fear turned into absolute terror, and I regretted coming to Masamune for aid immediately.

I didn’t like this one bit!

“Now, now, don’t be shy. I’m no tease. I simply wish to know you better, just in case.” Those words were wholly different from the smile and the gaze upon Masamune’s face. I could hear Ai’s faint, husky laughter though she was nowhere near, but it was coming from the venerated blade instead. I took a step back, but I was too late, and I found my shoulder held by a slender hand with a grip that I could not hope to escape. “We are all blades who have come to life and we ought to all know one another very well. Don’t you agree that with our wielders’ futures so entwined, we should all know one another better?”

She laughed lightly behind a sleeved hand. It was a nice, pleasant laugh. However, in my ears, I heard the same laugh Ai made when she spoke of Li Song much like a… p-prized s-stallion. That was before he risked himself to take her burden, before she felt that she could do more with Blade than before, but her laughter then had been a matter of great concern to me!

“Let’s sit together and talk for a little, why don’t we? There’s plenty of time to spend on assembling a celebration for Ai-san and Li-kun.” I wanted to refuse, to run away, but I found my ability to communicate somehow twisting in knots. She said nothing outrageous, she was the very pinnacle of reservation and calm, yet I felt nothing besides panic and embarrassment as she took me the table where she’d been sitting. My instincts told me that I was about to be witness to something much more embarrassing than my Wielder watching records of Li training! Yet, I had no grounds to leave! “We ought to get to know one another better. I’d like very much to take care of you, get to know you, and understand you. I’m sure that we can be very, very good friends, since you’re so earnest and pure.”

Someway, somehow Masamune’s words all sounded lurid within my ears, as though every word she was making was suggesting that I give myself to Li as Ai frequently suggests, but I didn’t know why!

I shouldn’t have feared her because of the differences of our status and birth, but because of this strange method she was using to somehow tease me without teasing me!

“Hmmm, let’s find common ground first, I suppose. Why don’t you talk about your wielder and I’ll speak about mine?” A cold sweat formed upon my brow. My heart beat quickened. I felt my cheeks flush and the same blood travel down my neck and up my ears. That smile that she hid, and the way she said those words… everything about this situation seemed so incredibly different from the surface that it presented. “Would you like some tea? It’s quite special. Li-kun likes it very much. He’ll very much enjoy it with you.”

Why… why are all my thoughts turning lewd no matter what she says!?

…

Speaking with Masamune proved to be an ordeal that I never wished to repeat, so I fled from her presence after securing her support in providing food for the celebration. Purging my mind of her speak of Li’s body and abilities, and how she pressed me for Ai’s won, I sought out Clarent.

She was grand, ceremonial sword of peace that was turned into one for war and terror. Caring little for war, she didn’t deign to be wielded, which I found was both strange and respectable, along with the way she acted as though she were a Knight, who were typically male and whose habits were mannish.

I’d expected to gain her help with ease, yet I was upon my knees and unable to look at her in the eye.

“A celebration for the my lord taking upon himself a burden? How utterly foolish must you be to believe that such an idea with curry favor with me?” Suit-clad, the seated Clarent looked down upon me with a sheathed version of herself upon her crossed legs. Whilst I found myself tongue-tied before Masamune, I felt primordial fear and terror before the scowling, harsh, and blunt existence that Clarent was. “Whilst Masamune and Occisor and Allsbane might look fondly upon the actions of your wielder, I do not. And, I shall not celebrate my lord being burdened by even the slightest of challenges.”

Clad in her bespoke suit, the glare and figure of Clarent was that of a western guardian of royalty.  White-gloved, scowling, and narrow-gazed, her temperament was the complete opposite of that when in Li Song’s presence. When about him he she was concise, cool-headed, and unperturbable. I did not know how she interacted with the rest of her compatriots, but they were surely above myself in her view.

“However, you are fortunate that I detest infighting, and that my lord will surely approve of what you are doing. My lord relishes nothing more than to take upon himself the burdens of others, simply because my lord is able.” I was able to let loose a breath I wasn’t aware I’d been withholding. However, as soon as I breathed, Clarent stood and took from me all of the relief I’d managed to gain in that scant few moments. “But, allow me to make matters very clear: I you and your wielder are not my enemies because I except the two of you to fulfill your obligations. The price he has paid is high, so your loyalty shall be the same, and you will do as he asks of you.”

Again.

Why was it happening again.

One moment I was being confronted by an individual who I feared, who I didn’t believe I could ever contest, and their words were only leading me to thoughts that they definitely weren’t meant to arouse.

Masamune had definitely meant to tease me, however the same couldn’t be said for Clarent. In her gaze was only steely determination and loyalty, both of which had nothing to do with Ai’s constant statements to Li about having both myself and her to warm his bed. It was a ludicrous notion to believe that the being before me, in all her power and glory, would imply such things. However, as I listened to her words, I couldn’t help but have my face go scarlet once more.

I ought to feel as though I should be on the verge of being beheaded, yet my mind was full with the thought of being bedded instead!

This was most definitely Ai’s fault!

“Raise your head and state your request, I shall acquiescence to it with the knowledge that you serve my lord now and forever.” Those words should’ve definitely made me feel fear for my freedom, yet all I could see were those sappy romances Ai would turn the television to whenever I joined her in our shared room! I could see her damnable smile in the forefront of my mind, even as I was moments away from death. I appreciated my Wielder completely and entirely, but I was sure she was doing something to my mind that I did not like in the slightest! “Rise knowing that you shall never again feel the terror you now feel, as long as you stay true and earnest to my lord.”

Ai… this is all your fault!

…

I… I had to choose between Primi Sanguinis Occisor and Allsbane for the last source of aid in my goal.

Both were blades that could break me with utter ease, individuals of such stature and majesty that I mattered less to them than a speck of dust, and, perhaps most importantly, the two were the most interested in securing myself and Ai for Li.

Earnestly, I was more afraid of the last than the first two.

Perhaps it was due to Masamune’s machinations that prepped my mind, or Ai’s unrepentant teasing since finding Li Song, but that was simply how things settled now. I fretted more about keeping my composure, running away from the lewd thoughts that arose, and doing my best to not seem utterly lost to fantasy before the ones I’d first feared to approach.

I had to take a seat and take a break from my efforts in order to simply try to keep my mind firmly on the correct path.

So, I sat in the kitchen of the Preserver’s headquarters, nursing a cup of tea and a slice of cake, when the worst possible thing occurred.

Allsbane and Occisor both arrived at once, whilst I was taking my first bite from my saucer.

The first was a slender, slight being with hazel skin lined with traces of pure white and the latter a statuesque, buxom blonde beauty with elfin ears. The two were utterly different. One was clad in a gown of red and black bordering on risqué and elegant, whilst the other was clad in scant, pure white tribal wear and a veil.

Tall and slight.

Slender and curvaceous.

Hazel and ivory.

Long hair and short.

Masamune and Clarent were undoubtedly beautiful, but these two shone with an ethereal grace all their own. Perhaps it was due to both the greater legends, but whilst those I met with subscribed to the notion of beauty the two who entered the room together were the pinnacles of grace and style.

Therefore, their mere presence invited far, far too many unchaste thoughts to my mind.

Even if I had time to compose myself, I knew that I’d have utterly failed to keep calm in their presence.

But, I would’ve wanted to have that composure, instead of being found and isolated in the kitchen whilst eating!

And, what was worse was that their focus was entirely upon me the moment they noticed me.

“Ah, Tomoe! How are you today?” Occisor’s words were mere niceties. In her gaze, I saw nothing but intent to conquer, capture, and establish herself as superior. Whereas both Clarent and Masamune quite possibly concealed some of their goals, the Sword of the Morning hid nothing of her desires. Walking towards me, she caught me in her embrace without another word, and all but pressed herself upon me. “I’m so glad to hear that you and Wielder have given yourselves fully to Song! I’d worried that you were strange, but you were merely shy! I’m so happy to find people who know their rightful place once they catch Song’s interest!”

Given their relations with one another, one would suspect that Allsbane would come to my aid. After all, she oft opposed Occisor and wished to be treated not as younger sibling by the elder blade.

However, Allsbane and Ai got on too well for such a dream to come true.

“Indeed. Such a thing is to be celebrated.” The notation of the words were flat. Allsbane didn’t even sit beside me. Instead, she sat at the end of the table and gestured for one of the maids to come to her. She was… she was going to use me as bait, so that she could recuperate from Occisor’s presence. Fleeing from the situation would only have Occisor pursue her, so she was going to stay put, rest, and ensure that Occisor’s attention was only on me! “Tomoe, you should tell Occisor about your plans to celebrate your servitude to Li Song.”

That wasn’t what I planned! I didn’t even care how she managed to catch wind of my plans! I only wanted her to tell the truth! However, all my messages towards Allsbane were ignored, as she turned her gaze at me and began to converse what she wanted for her lunch. The moment for her to correct herself for my sake came and went, as Occisor processed my words, and embraced my more tightly against her chest.

“Ah, that’s so grand! I approve wholeheartedly! What a good girl you are!” Occisor’s praise was so earnest and heartfelt that I couldn’t deny them. Or, rather, I couldn’t deny them because I feared an adverse reaction instead of a positive one. I did not want to test my unbreakable nature against the grip of a sword that could cut anything… but, at the same time I wanted the truth to be told! However, no matter how much I struggled, I couldn’t manage to convey the message and was only capable of staying silent. “I will provide you with all the help I’m able. What sort of celebration are you planning? Is it a chaste one, or shall I have the maids help in preparing Song’s room with candles and you with proper clothing?”

I…I just wanted to celebrate Ai’s freedom, yet I was being absolutely bombarded with lewdness from all sides by individuals I couldn’t contest!

This… this was so frustrating that I wanted to cry!