"It was the Sengoku Era. The mountains bled scarlet as the sun set behind them. Beneath them, the land lay in ruin. Once, this village had known peace. Once, it had been a haven of joy- the happiness of children, of families, of lives entangled in the threads of fate. Quite a while has passed since peace and harmony were the norm."
"On one fateful night, darkness descended like a tide- relentless, smothering, devouring everything in its path. It wasn't nighttime darkness, but something darker, pure evil, a force that had no shape or form but a will colder than the coldest winter. The evil entity invaded the village, burning homes, slaughtering men and women…wives and children…elders and newborns- they too had not been spared. There was bloodshed everywhere, and everything was gone. Just death, blood-bath and ashes..."
"A samurai, returning after fighting for his people, was greeted by a village reduced to ashes. He was returning back to them. To his wife. To his children. To his loved ones. To his home. To the life he had promised would be his final recompense for all his bloodshed."
"But there was no recompense. There was only blood. The village spread out in front of him like a debilitated animal- blackened wood, collapsed walls, lifeless streets. "
"The heavens wept. Unwilling to witness the horror below, the moon took refuge among the clouds. But the samurai could see everything. "
"His house- charred to nothing. His family- their bodies twisted in a pool of blood. He clutched his Katana. The sword was never drawn for a battle he did not choose. The rage within him was raw. This time, it was personal."
"The samurai stood motionless, remembering the smiles and laughter of his family, the happiness shared with his brothers, the kinship between his people. His eyes teared up and burned with fury. He clenched his fists, gripping with rage. His chest grew as the rage inside of him continued to build. "
'He looked at his armour. His shield that protected him.'
"A voice - not of the earth, but the heavens spoke, “ It is not for you alone to seek revenge. You have a purpose now. You are the chosen one. Not to feed your rage, but to protect and bring back honour. ”
"The Gods had spoken."
"They had seen the fire in his spirit, his unbreakable will to protect, to fight for what was right."
"He was not alone. The Gods were with him."
"He put on his armour. He pulled out a chest that was bestowed upon him by his grandfather. A gift from the forefathers. It was something his grandfather had advised him to use when in need."
"Just as he opened the chest, a bright light emanated from it. Something celestial. Something ancient. He howled as an excruciating pain shot through his veins. He did not resist. He embraced it. A tremendous surge of power passed through his body- an energy unlike anything he had ever felt. "
"He watched himself transform into a Godly being. The ground beneath him trembled with an ancient energy. On his wrist, a gleaming gold armlet embellished with red cotton floss appeared. His fingernails turned silver and sharp, like a knife. Black and blood red marks materialised on his face. Long, silver teeth protruded from the corners of his mouth, revealing his fierce visage. "
"The winds howled, not in fear, but in anticipation. With his newfound strength, he roared towards the darkness. He was chosen by the Gods. He was their wrath. Their justice."
"He would not fail them."
"Theyyam Samurai is ready to retaliate. Will he fulfill his purpose ? Will he succeed ? Are you ready to witness what lies ahead ?"
To be continued…
