The world is cruel. A cruel place needs people to stand up and destroy the cruel people.
As much as I detest being such a thing, I am one of those people.
"Alright, Sylph, let's get to that hotel for you."
"Oh, you changed your hair… and cut it."
Jin puts his hand on his head, feeling all the jagged and rough cuts he made.
"Ya, it was time for a refresh."
The two continued forward, and Sylph played as she moved through the streets. A smile across her face the whole time.
Jin walked as though he were a man heading to work. Jin held an expression of pure stillness; he hadn't even cared to look at the streets around him.
I can't believe I took that mirror and knife. I hadn't stolen anything since I was twelve.
That's not important, though. I need to find some way to get up North…
"Hey, Jin, check this out!"
Sylph yanks Jin's arm over to a jewelry merchant.
"Jewelry? Aren't I supposed to help you get home?"
"Oh, come o, Jin, just take a look with me."
"Ugh, how old did you say you were again?"
"I'm seventeen, of course!"
And here I thought you were meant to be mature by fifteen.
"Oh, Jin, look at this one."
Jin looks down at the jewelry she's pointing at.
"A ring?"
The merchant chimes in with "Well, young sire, a ring can mark the coming of a beautiful young relationship."
"We aren't together… Sylph here just needed an escort."
"Oh come on, Jin, it's just a harmless ring… it can't be that bad, right?"
"Fine. One ring. Don't read into it."
Jin instinctively reaches into his shirt and grabs Yen before stopping.
That's right, they use gold here… and I never paid that coachman, I guys I'll spend here and make up for my misdemeanors.
Jin hands the merchant five gold coins.
"Is that enough?"
A shocked expression crosses both the merchant's and Sylph's faces.
"S-Sir, you j-just carry gold around?"
"Well, ya, how else would I pay?"
"W-well, I guess it's blatant you're not from here… they say ladies have a taste for outlandish men."
"Alright, weirdo, I'm just gonna take the ring."
Jin grabs the ring and tosses it to Sylph.
"Don't hold any sentimental value on it… It's just a ring from a random stranger."
Jin and Sylph continue walking. No words were spoken the entire time, just silence.
Night began to fall as the two stopped in front of a landish building.
"Well, someone is a fancy woman."
"My dad is a uh… important man."
Sylph makes a small laugh. Jin just stares blankly.
"Don't worry about our deal, alright? I'm gonna make a stop somewhere, so it's no big deal."
"Oh uh, Ok."
Jin turns and slings his katana over his shoulder.
"See you later, Sylph."
She must be some kinda noble elf or something.
You know I need a few answers, I think I'll try a bar again.
Jin walks towards a bar. Out of the shadows an old man in a dark cloak appears out of the dark.
"Say, young man… would you possibly be The White Devil the humans want?"
"The only devils I know are the shadows that move in the corner of your eye."
"So I see."
"Say, old man, why is it that the only elf I met was a red-haired girl in an elf city?"
"You see elves all around you, sir. Most people conceal their ears if that's what you mean."
"Why is that?"
"Well, most don't normally, but when someone with a high blood thirst or someone abnormal for the area comes around, many use magic to hide their identity."
"I guess ears fall into that?"
"Exactly."
Jin looks up for a second. Then back down to the old man.
"Well, I thank you for the information. I guess my blood thirst is beyond my comprehension."
Jin walks forward, and the old man cackles behind him.
I guess I'm not any better than I thought. Whatever, I have a goal and I will complete it.
Jin walks up to a door, grabbing the handle when a ghostly hand grabs his shoulder.
Jin turns to see his brother Mori standing there as a ghost. Jin's face remains calm, and he reaches out a hand and attempts to poke Mori.
Jin's finger goes through Mori. Both Mori and Jin's faces locked in a gaze, neither daring to make a wrong move.
"So Mori, come to tell me how good I'm doing?"
"No need to act tough in front of me, Jin."
Jin looks down at his feet, a single tear leaving his face.
"I'm sorry, Mori, I regret what I've done."
"I will not tell you not to regret your actions. But I want to tell you that this isn't what I intended in our promise."
"Am I not doing what you asked?"
"When I asked you to make good choices, it wasn't to waste yourself fighting for the weak."
"What's so bad about fighting for the weak? They need it most, right?"
"You're right, Jin."
"So I'm not doing so bad now, am I?"
"Do you remember the promise you made to me when I was six?"
"Uh, wasn't it something like I wouldn't get myself into trouble and abandon you?"
"Do you remember what you said when you were arrested for killing our father, Sanzou?
"I don't remember."
"You said promises were meant to be broken, and that you'll return the pain given to you in double."
"Is that so? I can't remember."
"Now it's time to break a promise, you need to be selfish, Jin. Find who we are, find the truth behind it all, behind everything."
Before Jin can respond, Mori disappears into a flash of light. Jin stands there as though frozen to the ground.
"Alright Mori, I'll find the truth… and then I'll crush the oppressors… whoever they are."
Jin grabs a poster off a nearby pole and sees his face that he saw earlier.
"The White Devil. Vigilante murderer, wanted for the death of a Lord." How interesting.