• Lighting cut through the night’s sky like a dagger through the heart; quick and has a lasting effect… for awhile. Thunder struck over Jigoku Castle like so many battle cries that have echoed through the halls time and time again. Inside the castle, safe from the elements, sat a being that at first glance seem like a man. However, if you dare to look again, you will see this being is far from human. Sitting upon his thrown of skulls, of past enemies defeated, was the very being that struck such terror into the hearts of many. There sat Lord Shiboo Oni, his deep scarlet eyes ablaze with malice and hatred while his onyx hair flared behind him.

    At that very moment Lord Shiboo Oni was deep in thought, well his favorite memories but he’s still able to block out the storm that rages on outside. Lord Shiboo Oni’s favorite memories were of his battles and pillages, not for what he won or took, no… it was for the people he killed and the blood he spilled. Lord Shiboo Oni started to smile, mind you that his smile could make the bravest and strongest of warriors run in fear, as he remembered how the people screamed for mercy before he ended their miserable lives. However, his most enjoyable memories were of his victims. The way they begged and pleaded for their pathetic lives and even crying for them! Oh, how he savored the looks of pure terror on their dirty, putrid faces.

    Just then, the heavy oaks doors of the throne room were opened and a small, grey-haired man walked in.

    “Forgive me Master,” started the tiny man in a small, meek voice. However, it was loud enough to break Lord Shiboo Oni out of his thoughts and the malicious smile was replaced with an enraged scowl.

    “You better have an excellent reason as to why you are disturbing me. Or else you meet your end by my blade.” Lord Shiboo Oni warned, venom dripping off his voice and a look that could, and did, kill.

    “My deepest apologies milord, but there are signs of an uprising in your courtyard.” replied the man, knowing full well that the warning was anything from being an empty threat. His head was bowed almost low enough to touch the dark cobblestone floor.

    “Send a dozen soldiers to kill the rebels and put the heads on pikes in the village square. It shall serve as an example for all who wish to go against me.” Lord Shiboo Oni stated as he stood from his throne of skulls and descended down the steep obsidian marble stairs.

    “Yes milord. B-but there is something else you need to know about the rebels, Master.” the small man said, his body trembling with fear.

    “What else should I know then, Inu? It must be very important for you to stay so long in my presence with out you having a death wish. Or do you?” Lord Shiboo Oni quirked a slender eyebrow to emphasize his point. He loomed over Inu looking at the pathetic excuse for a human and waste of flesh.

    Gulping audibly Inu quickly answered, terror heavy in his voice, “N-no milord. It’s just that one of the rebels goes by the name of Ten no Tenshi…” Inu trailed off after noticing the aura around his Master had change.

    Lord Shiboo Oni could NOT believe it! Ten no Tenshi was supposed to be dead! Then again, Ten no Tenshi always had a habit of doing the opposite of what he wanted. “Tell the men to be ready for battle.” Shiboo Oni said as he turned on his heel, heading towards a dark maple door on the other side of the room.

    Inu scrambled to his feet and replied, “Yes Master.” before he fled the ominous throne room.

    Stepping through the door, Shiboo Oni went straight to a black chest in the middle of the room. Upon opening it he saw what he wished to remain hidden forever; his past. Aligning the box were small toys, an old ratty faded-blue blanket, and a little parcel wrapped in a white cloth.

    “I hoped I’d never have to see this again.” Shiboo Oni sighed out loud as he picked up the parcel, careful not to break it. After unwrapping the white cloth covering, Shiboo Oni held in his hands an old dusty picture. The picture itself contained two young boys, no older than 8-years-old, smiling and looking impossibly happy.

    “Now I have to see you off myself, brother.” was all Shiboo Oni whispered to the wind as he replaced the black chest and left the room. It was time to prepare for the final fight.

    In the courtyard, which was actually a few miles away from the Jigoku Castle itself, was a large group of people arguing.

    “We stand no chance against his army!” a man shouted from the crowd.

    “Its suicide!” shouted another.

    “We can beat him, I know we can.” came the calm yet confident reply of the seemingly human male with fair hair and shimmering scarlet eyes. “I know his army is strong BUT if we band together and fight as one for our freedom we will be victorious!” he cried out with a fist raised above his head.

    “Ten no Tenshi! Ten no Tenshi! Lord Shiboo Oni and his army are coming!” the lookout yelled from his post at the watchtower.

    “Looks like we only got two choices now: fight or die. I don’t know about the rest of you, but, I’d rather die fighting for my freedom the die as an oppressed dog.” with that said he left to get ready for the final battle.

    Everyone looked at each other, seemingly searching for the answer to be written on one of their faces. When they couldn’t find it, they realized that Ten no Tenshi was right. It’s better to die fighting for your freedom then to die in oppression. It was unanimous; they would fight or die trying.

    The Sun hid behind giant, ominous storm clouds, too afraid to shine upon the battle just moments away. Both sides were ready for the inevitable bloodshed. Lord Shiboo Oni sat upon his black stallion with eyes as white as pearls. His blade firmly gripped in his leather-clad hand. On the other side of the battlefield was Ten no Tenshi, mounting a white steed with eyes as black as night. His sword grasped tightly in bare-skin hand. Scarlet eyes met scarlet eyes as they both waited fir the beginning of the end.

    The battle begun with a warrior yells. Each side rushed toward the other and the blood started to flow. Body after body fell and blood ran like a river. The battle lasted for hours and already so many had lost their lives. The ground was gone, as if it was never even there, only bodies and rivers of still-warm blood able to be seen as far as the eye could see.

    Ten no Tenshi and Shiboo Oni fought like animals, their horses long dead. They fought as if there was only them and nothing else. Shiboo Oni rushed towards Ten no Tenshi blade high above his head.

    I will die today but it will not be in vain! Ten no Tenshi thought as he too rushed toward the other, sword in front of his chest.

    Lighting struck as the two met. Ten no Tenshi’s sword deeply imbedded within Shiboo Oni’s chest. While Shiboo Oni’s blade was deeply imbedded in Ten no Tenshi’s skull. They both fell to the cold, blood-soaked ground and shared their dying moments together.

    “Good-bye… my.. Brother.” Ten no Tenshi gasped out in between breaths and spikes of pain.

    “We die… as we…. Were.. Born.” Shiboo Oni replied, darkness clouding his mind.

    “Together.” both brothers said with their dying breath.

    Without Shiboo Oni the land prospered and grew. Without Ten no Tenshi the land had its darkness and despair. The land was never in total chaos or harmony but was balanced with both. This ends the tale of the blood demon, Shiboo Oni, and his twin brother, heaven’s angel, Ten no Tenshi.