I was inspired to write this after coming up with my character bio under 'The Heroes' section of the forums. Initially, I planned to write a story spanning several chapters, but knowing myself, I'm probably not going to have enough time and dedication to achieve that, so I settled for a short story of sorts. It's my first time actually completing one, so do give me your criticism on this one.
The character is linked here. Reading her History may help to learn more about the Clan.
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[FONT="]Prelude[/FONT]
The memory was still fresh in Hanae’s mind as she ambled down the stone path leading into a rather rundown wooden hut that housed her Clan’s Head, her grandfather. So clear it was in her mind that it felt like it had just happened before she entered into the territory that the Wolf Branch owned.
“You will are the first gear to rotate, and I’m counting on you to set the other gears in motion.”
Responding with a nod, the appointed leader of the Dog Branch clasped his hands together in a show of respect. “I am honoured,” He began. “To be appointed with such a task as this. I shall not fail you.”
Smiling softly, Hanae replied,” I’m sure you won’t.”
Focusing back on the pathetic wooden hut, Hanae could only wonder to herself why her grandfather would choose such a simple abode. With his status and the Clan’s wealth, a large mansion is not impossibility.
Her expression hardened, as she stopped directly in front of the hut. Outside the hut, was her grandfather, staring fiercely at her.
[FONT="]Sly[/FONT]
Dressed in a long flowing robe of white, the Clan Head had a dignified air about himself. This robe itself is elaborately decorated with patterns of red dots with stripes streaking out of it- a typical Yasha Clan insignia. Beneath the robe, he wore a black coloured inner robe, which was held with a belt. Strapped to his belt, was the Clan’s most treasured weapon of the same name, Yasha.
“You’re late.”
Bowing her head low, Hanae got to her knees. “Forgive me,” She said. “I’m late.”
Turning about to face away from Hanae, the Clan Head sighed loudly. Hanae continued keeping her head low, staring at the stones that lined the pathway. In her mind, she was still arguing about the reason why her grandfather, the Clan Head, would live in such a dilapidated home. The most obvious reason she came up with was her mother’s assassination, as well as her father’s death to protect him.
It happened quite some time ago. Her parents had unintentionally fallen into a forbidden love, which ultimately ended with her conception. It was originally a well kept secret, but Hanae’s birth prompted her father to attempt to bring her into the Yasha family, as well as to butter up relationships between the Branches.
It was a failed attempt, unfortunately. The Clan Head flew into a rage, and called for the execution of both mother and child without hesitation. Naturally, her father interceded for the two, but the Clan Head would not let up. It was only after some persistent badgering and pleas that he allowed Hanae to live, but her mother must die.
She was promptly murdered, and Hanae was taken into the Wolf Branch as a servant. Her mother was from the lowly Dog Branch, and this heritage made her scorned and disliked even amongst the servants, let alone the commoners or upper class, all of whom learned of her through rumours. As a child, she was, despite others poor treatment of her, cheerful. She was also rather bright and significantly stronger than most other demons her age. Sometimes, even demons several hundred years older could barely surpass her in strength.
Still, this physical strength only meant more work for her. The job as a servant only ended for her at the age of 6, when she stumbled upon Yasha. It was a pure accident that she came to see the katana, and grab it by the blade. The pact that formed thereafter was what changed everything.
“I see you have trained the Dogs well and lived up to your promises.”
Hanae responded with a quick ‘yes’.
“And you have made your choice of leader, I presume?”
Hanae responded again, her ‘yes’ a respectful one.
“Well, get up now.”
Standing up, Hanae looked up at the Clan Head. Turning to throw a sideway glance at her, he looked over to the Wolf Branch’s Headquarters.
“I’ve been here for how long now,” He wondered aloud. “600? Or was it 700?”
Hanae remained quiet, holding herself back from glowering at him.
“One day, my position will go to you, you know that, don’t you?”
Hanae quickly looked away from him, at the Headquarters. Located about half a mile away, it’s ornate design and architecture was still visible. The Headquarters of the Wolf Branch was the largest in the clan, so large that it was more a fortress than an ordinary building. Nevertheless, realising that it was a brainchild of the Clan Head only irked her.
“Yes, I know, Almighty Leader.”
He chuckled. Peering at him from the corners of her eyes, she could already sense something amiss.
“My dear Hanae, why are you so impatient?”
Immediately going down on her knees, she bowed her head low and said,” I am sorry, but I do not understand, Almighty Leader.”
“Really, you don’t?”
Hanae stayed silent as the Clan Head clapped his palms together, summoning to him the guards surrounding the area. “Go get him, or it, rather.”
“I believe you will understand when you see it.”
Now Hanae was worried. Had the Clan Head discovered her plans already, this early?
There had been a plan to move the Branches of the Clan about such that they would rally against the current Clan Head and oust him. It would be there that Hanae exacts her personal vengeance, slaying her self-defined arch-enemy once and for all.
Her mother’s death was after all, caused by him. Even her father’s death later on was also his doing, though not as directly as her mother’s. An attempt on his life only ended when her father ‘foolishly’, in Hanae’s words, protected him. It cost him his life, while the Clan Head survived. Initially, just knowing about her father’s valiant protection of the Clan Head was fine, because it seemed like the most honourable thing to do.
It was only when she discovered her father’s diary, and learned the truth about her mother’s death. Contrary to what the Clan Head always said, her mother hadn’t been a traitor that was prosecuted and killed. It was because of her. The guilt that welled up in her spilled over to the Clan Head when she read on to find out that the Clan Head ordered her mother’s death.
That set forth a chain of events which involved some serious thinking on Hanae’s part. Her initial plan was to prove to the Wolf Branch her capability to lead by actually leading the Dog Branch, whose leaders had been murdered by her secretly- by her own will- to form one of the strongest forces from it. Thereafter, she’ll coerce the other Branches to rally them around her and force the Clan Head to pass on leadership to her. The conclusion was later changed from the Clan Head ‘passing his leadership’, to the Clan Head ‘getting killed and his leadership taken from him.’
Gritting her teeth, she frowned slightly, making sure to bow her head lower to keep her expression out of sight. Hearing footsteps, she knew the guard was here with the ‘it’ the Clan Head was referring to. Taking the thing from the guard, the Clan Head dismissed him and tossed the item to the ground in front of Hanae.
“Open it.”
It was a spherical ball wrapped in cloth. Hanae knew immediately what it was, and as she removed the cloth around what was hidden within, she hissed internally.
“Did you think your little scheme would escape me? I am far too old to fall for such petty tricks.”
It was the leader she had just appointed. Hanae had no idea how, but it would seem the Clan Head was one step ahead of her.
“So, why do this?”
At this point, Hanae had no idea how much he knew about her plans, so she decided to play it safe.
“When I was revealed to be the next Clan Head, and proved my ability to summon our Patron Demon Spirit, the Branches had actually wanted to dispatch assassins into our Branch. I killed all of their strongest assassins during my trip.”
A sly grin formed on the Clan Head’s face as he listened on.
“I asked to lead the Dogs and assassinated their leaders to do so, so that I could first force the loyalty of one branch to us. I am sorry my choice of leader did not please you, Almighty Leader.”
At this point, the Clan Head laughed.
Hanae didn’t take to that kindly, for it never was to mean anything good. She almost wanted to leap at him, but she held herself in position, keeping her head bowed low.
“My dear granddaughter, how very loyal you are to our clan and me.”
Noting the sarcasm in those words, Hanae knew he didn’t buy her lies. Still, she kept silent, waiting for whatever is to come next.
The Clan Head draws his katana, Yasha, and lightly slides a finger down the blade.
“Yasha, our family heirloom. Passed down through the generations from our ancestors. Forged by our first Clan Head, the legendary Twin Headed Wolf. He later imbued his essence into this katana…”
Looking at Hanae, the Clan Head laughed again.
“You should look at how pathetic you seem right now. Politics at this age is just not your thing, I suppose.”
Hanae hissed again, accidentally making it audible to the Clan Head.
“Ha, ha, ha,” He laughed. “Aren’t you an indignant one?”
Sheathing the blade and sticking it into the ground, he turned to face back at his hut.
“Take Yasha, but know this. You will only gain my position through official means, no other ways exist. Otherwise, that thing over there might be yours.”
Laughing loudly again, he walks into his hut and slams the door shut.
Hissing angrily, Hanae gets up and seized the katana’s hilt forcefully. Glaring at the hut for a brief moment, she heaved a furious sigh as she turned to leave.
…
“It won’t just end like this, will it?”
Chuckling softly, the Clan Head sat himself down on his rocking chair.
The character is linked here. Reading her History may help to learn more about the Clan.
[FONT="]----------------------
[/FONT]
[FONT="]Prelude[/FONT]
The memory was still fresh in Hanae’s mind as she ambled down the stone path leading into a rather rundown wooden hut that housed her Clan’s Head, her grandfather. So clear it was in her mind that it felt like it had just happened before she entered into the territory that the Wolf Branch owned.
“You will are the first gear to rotate, and I’m counting on you to set the other gears in motion.”
Responding with a nod, the appointed leader of the Dog Branch clasped his hands together in a show of respect. “I am honoured,” He began. “To be appointed with such a task as this. I shall not fail you.”
Smiling softly, Hanae replied,” I’m sure you won’t.”
Focusing back on the pathetic wooden hut, Hanae could only wonder to herself why her grandfather would choose such a simple abode. With his status and the Clan’s wealth, a large mansion is not impossibility.
Her expression hardened, as she stopped directly in front of the hut. Outside the hut, was her grandfather, staring fiercely at her.
[FONT="]Sly[/FONT]
Dressed in a long flowing robe of white, the Clan Head had a dignified air about himself. This robe itself is elaborately decorated with patterns of red dots with stripes streaking out of it- a typical Yasha Clan insignia. Beneath the robe, he wore a black coloured inner robe, which was held with a belt. Strapped to his belt, was the Clan’s most treasured weapon of the same name, Yasha.
“You’re late.”
Bowing her head low, Hanae got to her knees. “Forgive me,” She said. “I’m late.”
Turning about to face away from Hanae, the Clan Head sighed loudly. Hanae continued keeping her head low, staring at the stones that lined the pathway. In her mind, she was still arguing about the reason why her grandfather, the Clan Head, would live in such a dilapidated home. The most obvious reason she came up with was her mother’s assassination, as well as her father’s death to protect him.
It happened quite some time ago. Her parents had unintentionally fallen into a forbidden love, which ultimately ended with her conception. It was originally a well kept secret, but Hanae’s birth prompted her father to attempt to bring her into the Yasha family, as well as to butter up relationships between the Branches.
It was a failed attempt, unfortunately. The Clan Head flew into a rage, and called for the execution of both mother and child without hesitation. Naturally, her father interceded for the two, but the Clan Head would not let up. It was only after some persistent badgering and pleas that he allowed Hanae to live, but her mother must die.
She was promptly murdered, and Hanae was taken into the Wolf Branch as a servant. Her mother was from the lowly Dog Branch, and this heritage made her scorned and disliked even amongst the servants, let alone the commoners or upper class, all of whom learned of her through rumours. As a child, she was, despite others poor treatment of her, cheerful. She was also rather bright and significantly stronger than most other demons her age. Sometimes, even demons several hundred years older could barely surpass her in strength.
Still, this physical strength only meant more work for her. The job as a servant only ended for her at the age of 6, when she stumbled upon Yasha. It was a pure accident that she came to see the katana, and grab it by the blade. The pact that formed thereafter was what changed everything.
“I see you have trained the Dogs well and lived up to your promises.”
Hanae responded with a quick ‘yes’.
“And you have made your choice of leader, I presume?”
Hanae responded again, her ‘yes’ a respectful one.
“Well, get up now.”
Standing up, Hanae looked up at the Clan Head. Turning to throw a sideway glance at her, he looked over to the Wolf Branch’s Headquarters.
“I’ve been here for how long now,” He wondered aloud. “600? Or was it 700?”
Hanae remained quiet, holding herself back from glowering at him.
“One day, my position will go to you, you know that, don’t you?”
Hanae quickly looked away from him, at the Headquarters. Located about half a mile away, it’s ornate design and architecture was still visible. The Headquarters of the Wolf Branch was the largest in the clan, so large that it was more a fortress than an ordinary building. Nevertheless, realising that it was a brainchild of the Clan Head only irked her.
“Yes, I know, Almighty Leader.”
He chuckled. Peering at him from the corners of her eyes, she could already sense something amiss.
“My dear Hanae, why are you so impatient?”
Immediately going down on her knees, she bowed her head low and said,” I am sorry, but I do not understand, Almighty Leader.”
“Really, you don’t?”
Hanae stayed silent as the Clan Head clapped his palms together, summoning to him the guards surrounding the area. “Go get him, or it, rather.”
“I believe you will understand when you see it.”
Now Hanae was worried. Had the Clan Head discovered her plans already, this early?
There had been a plan to move the Branches of the Clan about such that they would rally against the current Clan Head and oust him. It would be there that Hanae exacts her personal vengeance, slaying her self-defined arch-enemy once and for all.
Her mother’s death was after all, caused by him. Even her father’s death later on was also his doing, though not as directly as her mother’s. An attempt on his life only ended when her father ‘foolishly’, in Hanae’s words, protected him. It cost him his life, while the Clan Head survived. Initially, just knowing about her father’s valiant protection of the Clan Head was fine, because it seemed like the most honourable thing to do.
It was only when she discovered her father’s diary, and learned the truth about her mother’s death. Contrary to what the Clan Head always said, her mother hadn’t been a traitor that was prosecuted and killed. It was because of her. The guilt that welled up in her spilled over to the Clan Head when she read on to find out that the Clan Head ordered her mother’s death.
That set forth a chain of events which involved some serious thinking on Hanae’s part. Her initial plan was to prove to the Wolf Branch her capability to lead by actually leading the Dog Branch, whose leaders had been murdered by her secretly- by her own will- to form one of the strongest forces from it. Thereafter, she’ll coerce the other Branches to rally them around her and force the Clan Head to pass on leadership to her. The conclusion was later changed from the Clan Head ‘passing his leadership’, to the Clan Head ‘getting killed and his leadership taken from him.’
Gritting her teeth, she frowned slightly, making sure to bow her head lower to keep her expression out of sight. Hearing footsteps, she knew the guard was here with the ‘it’ the Clan Head was referring to. Taking the thing from the guard, the Clan Head dismissed him and tossed the item to the ground in front of Hanae.
“Open it.”
It was a spherical ball wrapped in cloth. Hanae knew immediately what it was, and as she removed the cloth around what was hidden within, she hissed internally.
“Did you think your little scheme would escape me? I am far too old to fall for such petty tricks.”
It was the leader she had just appointed. Hanae had no idea how, but it would seem the Clan Head was one step ahead of her.
“So, why do this?”
At this point, Hanae had no idea how much he knew about her plans, so she decided to play it safe.
“When I was revealed to be the next Clan Head, and proved my ability to summon our Patron Demon Spirit, the Branches had actually wanted to dispatch assassins into our Branch. I killed all of their strongest assassins during my trip.”
A sly grin formed on the Clan Head’s face as he listened on.
“I asked to lead the Dogs and assassinated their leaders to do so, so that I could first force the loyalty of one branch to us. I am sorry my choice of leader did not please you, Almighty Leader.”
At this point, the Clan Head laughed.
Hanae didn’t take to that kindly, for it never was to mean anything good. She almost wanted to leap at him, but she held herself in position, keeping her head bowed low.
“My dear granddaughter, how very loyal you are to our clan and me.”
Noting the sarcasm in those words, Hanae knew he didn’t buy her lies. Still, she kept silent, waiting for whatever is to come next.
The Clan Head draws his katana, Yasha, and lightly slides a finger down the blade.
“Yasha, our family heirloom. Passed down through the generations from our ancestors. Forged by our first Clan Head, the legendary Twin Headed Wolf. He later imbued his essence into this katana…”
Looking at Hanae, the Clan Head laughed again.
“You should look at how pathetic you seem right now. Politics at this age is just not your thing, I suppose.”
Hanae hissed again, accidentally making it audible to the Clan Head.
“Ha, ha, ha,” He laughed. “Aren’t you an indignant one?”
Sheathing the blade and sticking it into the ground, he turned to face back at his hut.
“Take Yasha, but know this. You will only gain my position through official means, no other ways exist. Otherwise, that thing over there might be yours.”
Laughing loudly again, he walks into his hut and slams the door shut.
Hissing angrily, Hanae gets up and seized the katana’s hilt forcefully. Glaring at the hut for a brief moment, she heaved a furious sigh as she turned to leave.
…
“It won’t just end like this, will it?”
Chuckling softly, the Clan Head sat himself down on his rocking chair.