The Final Battle

The sounds of battle were slowly fading off into the distance as he laid in a growing pool of his own blood.  He attempted to shift his body into a sitting position, only to cause a sharp jolt of pain and more of his life blood to slip from his body.  He knew that his time was quickly coming to an end...and there was no need to hasten it.  He settled back, his armor clinking, and took in the scenery around him.  What was once a beautiful meadow tucked away in a forest of bamboo was now soaked in the blood and gore of hundreds.

Broken katanas, splintered spears, and ripped banners littered the ground, along with the bodies of allies and enemies.  Of all the dead, only one had any meaning to him at all.  The battered form of his once friend and rival lay on the stained ground only feet from him, slain by his own hand.  The warrior thought back to the battle that had only concluded moments before.

The two had meet in the middle of the field, not exchanging any words as they stared each other down.  They both had know that this would be their final meeting; only one would walk away.  As they both readied their katanas, all the sound seemed to fade away as they each focused their attention on the other.  They stood still for what had seemed like an eternity until, finally, they lunged.  

There were flashes of steel and burning stabs of pain where he was cut.  They were quickly consumed by madness as they fought.  They grunted and snaraled.  Punched and kicked.  Pushed and shoved.  They fought with a ferocity not even seen in the most savage of beasts.  They fought like youkai, yet neither gained on the other.  They eventually grew tired and weak.

Both were covered in blood and dirt and were exhausted.  He himself could barely even stand.  They once again locked gazes, silent communication passing between them.  The time for rest was over.  One last attack...all or nothing.  They once again found themselves facing each other, motionless and silent, waiting for the signal to attack.  With a light gust of wind, they moved.

Time slowed to a crawl and every detail was etched into his memory.  His opponent rushed forward, bring his katana up to slash across his midsection.  He could see the nicks along the blades edge, give it an almost serrated look.  Flecks of blood slowly ran down it's length like small drops of dew.  His old friend had a look of a tired man who had seen and done too much in his life.  His mouth set in a grimace that silently spoke so many emotions:  anger, pride, wrath, and regret.  That last one surprised him.  Then, for an instant, he saw him not as he was that moment, but as he once was.  A child, smiling while splashing in the river.  A young boy who just received his first weapon.  The teenager who was ready to answer the call of the Damiyo.  The man, seething with fury and hurt, who was ready to kill the traitor who was once his closest friends...and then his vision returned to normal.  

Battle instincts took over and he too brought up his blade.  In a split second he brought his weapon down, cutting him from shoulder to pelvis.  It was a fatal blow.  He skidded to a halt several paces past the other and turned in time to witness a large spray of blood fly into the air as the wound split open.  His rival stood still as death and slowed turned to face him.  Blood flowed through his parted lips and down his chin.  With a slight smile and nod, he crumpled to the ground never to move again.  The victor then felt a searing pain as his own wound opened.  Weakness had flooded his body and he fell to the spot the he now lay.

His breathing was becoming labored and he knew that time was short.  He griped his katana harder in his hand as the edges of his vision grew dim and the icy fingers of the shinigami raced up his spine.  He wasn't sure if he wanted to laugh or cry.  He felt elation over the fact that he had finally triumphed over his foe after so many battles.  Then can the wave of fury over his impending death.  And finally came the sadness and regret that all of it was, in the end, for nothing.  With his last breaths, he let all of his emotions out in one anguished cry.  The eerie sound carried across the meadow and out into the forest beyond.  It was shortly followed by the clatter of a katana falling to the ground, and then silence.