JZals

You’ve just arrived in a swampy, dim town. As you look around, your gaze is met with shacks and cabins. It smells of rotted wood and wet moss. You duck and step into a tattered tent, illuminated by a series of candles suspended in the air. At the back of the tent, an old hag raises her head, “What brings you to this dingy town? she begins, then pauses to study your face—”Ah, it’s you. I’ve been expecting you. Sit,” she gestures at a cushion, “Tell me your story.” Chiseki sat on a blanket in the crone's tent, her posture weak but alert. The dim light of the fire shone on the walls of the pavilion, casting long, dancing shadows that nearly affected its harsh form. Crown, the wisdom of his age, sat before him, looking at him slowly and knowingly. “I’ll keep it for you,” Chiseki began, as if making a well-worn statement that was stupid and unreliable. “I grew up in Koyo-kuni, in a wealthy merchant family. My father was a respected campaign leader known for his strong business acumen. We had everything—the money, the security, the whole contract. But nothing was wrong when the accident happened.” He paused, the flicker of firelight drawing his eyes as he recalled the past. “Economic downturns hit hard, and my dad did a high-risk delivery job trying to put our fingers back out of our mouths. It was to be our salvation. Instead, it turned out to be our destruction. The travelers were attacked by robbers who stole everything from us and killed everyone, including my father.” Chiseki's face froze, his wrinkles betraying the weight of his experiences. “All of a sudden we had nothing. Orphaned and alone, my brother Ryuji pursued peace and salvation and joined the monastery. I didn’t have the luxury. I was stuck in a harsh reality in order to live every day.” He shifted slightly on the cushion, his voice strained. “I became a wanderer, moving from city to city. I worked at whatever job I could find, shadowed when needed, and often got into trouble with the local authorities. Over time, I became a wanderer, living in society. Trust was a duty; Survival was the only rule.” Chiseki's voice held a hint of disdain as he continued. “When it was Ryuuji was seeking knowledge, I had to deal with real world chaos. No dreams, no grand plans—just a grim determination to live. I learned how to handle people, situations and act with a ruthless pace. I was not cruel; I just didn’t have a place to relax.” His eyes met the unwavering Crone directly. “When Ryuuji and I crossed paths again, it wasn’t out of any kind of familial passion or lust. I was curious, maybe I wanted it closed, but that was it. Our paths split too much to restore any emotional unity.” Chiseki leaned forward slightly, her voice steady but responsive. “I wasn’t going to join him on his journey. For me, it’s a matter of practicality. Survival remains a priority for me. I walk towards it, but hold my course, always looking for the next threat or opportunity. My heart doesn’t stay in it—it’s all about staying ahead.” He smiled crookedly, his eyes fixed. “Ryuji may pursue peace and balance, but I’m grounded in the harsh reality of our world. I’m focused on survival, always one step ahead. If our paths coincide, so be it. But don’t expect me to forget the lessons I learned or change my ways.” Chiseki's eyes lingered on the crone, her face reflecting the grim reality of her journey. “So here I am with Ryuuji walking down this path. He's looking for something abstract, while I'm trying to pick it up. Staying one step ahead in such an unpredictable and unforgiving world is the only way I have ever found to survive.”