Act III: The Game of Death-
The Game of Death Pic

The sun glistened in the morning sky, a cool refreshing breeze blew in bringing fallen petals of the cherry blossom trees that were planted all around the small village. Spring had once again arrived.

“Son, today I shall teach you the ways of Bushido, and the art of a Samurai. Our family has had a long lineage of powerful warriors, and you shall pass on this lineage to your children one day, just how my father taught me.” An eastern Hume spoke with pride as he padded his son on the shoulder. He looked up into the sky and smiled. “Beautiful day to day, don’t you think?”

A scream broke the father’s admiration towards the springtime day, as he turned and noticed large group of men entering the village riding on Chocobos. Slaughtering the villages, they swarmed like insects; the man unsheathed his Great Katana and charged at the group, the boy frozen in fear as he witnessed his village become victims to the slaughter. He watched on as his father slashed through two cloaked men, swiftly turning and catching the third man. The boy watched on, mostly frightened by what he witnessed, but watching his father fight brought pride, seeing his father as model of what one day he could become. As his father fought on, a tall Elvaan man stalked up behind him and impaled him in the back with his sapphire and gold Great Katana, violently freeing his blade he turned to the boy. The boy shouted out his father’s name as he went to rush towards him but stopped by more dark cloaked bandits, swatting him to the ground with ease. The boy cried out for his mother as he looked around looking for help, witnessing that no one was coming to his aid, he burst into tears. As he cried, he turned to notice his mother lying on the ground, she too was crying out. Pushing himself up to the ground, he charged to his mother, trying to help her up. But the Elvaan man who slew his father turned and kicked the boy to the ground. He fell to the ground, wailing in pain. He went into the fetal position, protecting himself from another attack. However as he shook himself, he looked out in the corner of his eye to witness flames dancing as they began to spread. He got to his feet and witness in horror as flames began to engulf his entire village unbelievable fast. He shrieked in horror, as he saw his mother burning within the flames, the bandits had vanished and disappeared. He collapsed to the ground, in tears and screams.

Opening his eyes, Hideo found himself back in the Empire. The sun shining brightly in the blue skies above, pushing himself up off the ground, he got to his feet. Victory had came, as the combats fought back the Beastmen forces, however Hideo’s employers had been kidnapped by a dark armored Galka. Hideo wiped away sweat off his brow, however he wiped under his eye was a tear. Dreaming about an incident that happened thirty-seven years ago had caused him to shed a tear. He clutched his hand into a fist, so tight that his knuckles turned white. He was shaking; his body shook with anger as he remembered that incident, as it replayed in his head. Anger shook deep down into his core, remembering the past when he was weak.

Entering his rent-a-room, his Moogle rush to him speaking very fast as he was whimpering.

“Master, your employer has been kidnapped!” The Moogle spoke very quickly and almost unable to be understood.

“How the hell did you know?” Hideo spoke harshly as he turned to the Moogle, as he stepped closer to it, it pointed to a note. Hideo turned and picked the note up from the table. Hideo Wiriamuzu, I have taken your woman and holding her as a captive, head to the northern lands, I await you in the castle in the north. There you will pay for your crimes! Hideo crumbled the parchment up and threw it to the ground as he gathered a few items; he turned and opened the door of the Mog House.

“Master?” The Moogle questioned as Hideo was about to leave.

“I’m off to Xarcabard. There is someone I need to kill...” Hideo trailed off as he left the Mog House. Walking with his Wyvern Helm on and his weapon at his side, he had lost all track of time after losing conscience He paused in his tracks, and decided to get to Xarcabard as fast as possible, shouting for a teleport services, Hideo waited for a response. After a few moments, he got his response and was on his way to the snowy wasteland that was the north. Skipping out on his payment, he walked down the steps as he inhaled. Inhaling the bitterness cold, the frost kissing at his skin as mighty wind slowly began to pick up.

“Figures…” Hideo spoke with disgust as he walked through the now strengthen wind. He pushed onward heading west toward the dark and sinister Castle Zvahl. Moving up and down hills, and passing by Undead and Demons, he just continued on his path. Seeing the outline of the castle, Hideo made his way down the hill and began making his way at the entrance. Passing random Kindred whom appeared to be guarding it, he passed them without any trouble. They hardily even looked at him. Passing by the strange and odd colors emitting from the dark caverns beneath, he walked on neither caring nor amazed. Entering the dark castle, he walked through Castle Zvahl Baileys heading to the Keep. Knowing the place well, he made a quick trip through the Baileys and entered the Keep, as he was heading to the Throne Room, where his opponent would most likely stage for a battle. With each step, his movements echoed in the dark and tainted castle, however he continued to be focus on his mission, to rescue his employer and get his reward for his services. Moving quickly through the dark hallways, he stopped as stood in front of him was the entrance to the Throne Room. Taking another step forward, he turned and examined his surroundings. He had visit this castle many times, only once did he travel to the Throne Room, and that was when he fought a fragment of the Shadow Lord’s essence. His hatred, rage, and darkness continued to linger in this place and within Vana’diel, so each time he was slain another incarnation would eventually resurrected. However, each version was greatly weaker than the original, as almost any Adventurer could easily defeat him. Opening the large doors and stepping in, he noticed the Galka waiting in the center of the room, Hideo’s employer lying motionless on the ground.

“Finally you arrive, I was starting to think you would have abandon her by now…for that’s what your kind does.” The large brooding Galka spoke standing in front of the motionless girl. “The great Hideo Wiriamuzu makes his grand entrance…”


“Nah, I wouldn’t abandon a pretty little thing like that alone with a dark sinister looking Galka in heavy armor. What kind of man would I be…besides…she is paying nice amount for my services. So Ugly Mountain, shouldn’t you be doing some physical labor for your Bastokan superiors instead of kidnapping women?”

“I’m not Galka from Bastok; I do not serve a republic. I am of a forgotten nation, Tavnazia. You and I have crossed paths before. You slew all those whom I cared for, I abandon my Tavnazian Knighthood, and sunk into darkness. I abandoned my past and my life…I am now Western Devil, for I had to become a devil to seek out a demon, a demon by the name of….”

“Are you done? Damn, you’re such a whinny little bitch! If I knew you were going to go on and on about your pain and suffering and all of that crap, I would have done you the favor and end your life back then. Damn, I didn’t know Galkas could be whinnying little bitches. Your kind must really appreciate you, but don’t worry, you all will be dead soon. Just give it time…”

“You insolent dog! You shall suffer greatly for all you done! Just how I satisfied my Death Bringer, I shall satisfy my vengeance with your blood!”

“You know…keep eating away at your own soul and cut yourself and curse…and whatever you pathetic excuses of Knights do…because Hideo Wiriamuzu is going on a warpath…I’ll show you, true acts of a devil, for I am the demon of the east!”

Hideo charging straight at the Galka, swung his Hagun at him nailing him directly in the chest, the Galka shrugged off the attack and a large spike hit Hideo. Hideo stumbled back, began to grin.

“Dread Spikes? Sneaky…You know you aren’t as stupid as I thought. I applaud you. But, you better start singing for absolution to whatever deity you worship, because I won’t show you forgiveness or mercy.” Hideo smirked as he slashed once more; the Galka took the hit and finally readied his massive Great Sword Algol. The Galka took a might swing at Hideo, anticipating the attack Hideo countered it with ease. Hatred dwelled deep into Hideo’s eyes as he fought the Galka, tapping into all of his hatred; it began to fuel his attacks. As Hideo slashed again, another spike struck him but he didn’t care. As the Western Devil went to cast his spell again, Hideo readied his Tachi: Gekko. The Galka stumbled backs Hideo unleashed his Hasso and Berserk abilities. Western Devil readied for one of his attack, but before he did, Hideo had meditated and quickly used his Tachi: Kasha attack. Western Devil was paralyzed as stood watching Hideo grow more and more violent. Western Devil preformed his Spinning Slash, the devastating blow knocked Hideo to the ground, but laughter echoed the room, as Hideo pushed himself back up. Licking the blood off his lips, he smirked.

“Run from me before I tear you down…run with your tail between your legs, before I end your pathetic excuse of a life! For you pissed off the wrong fucking Hume! I’ll show you just how pathetic you truly are…I’ll show you what a true devil is capable of!” Charging as fast as he could Hideo slashed at Western Devil, the blade missed but quickly slashed again nailing the Galka. “Be afraid!”

“Sink into a cesspool of darkness!” Western Devil spat after he bashed his sword into Hideo face, knocking him back. The Galka then used his Bloody Weapon and Soul Eater ability, roaring like a mighty beast in the cold and empty room within the dark castle. He also used his Last Resort and Beserk abilities, going all out on his next attack.

Hideo witnessing this, quickly developed a plan, and went to action using his own special ability known as Meikyo Shisui. Chaining three of his attacks in a row, creating a devastating row of attacks, the two stood breathing and bleeding heavily, the Galka fell to one knee as Hideo hunched over taking large breath, coughing up and spitting out blood.

“Behold the magnificence of my victory!” Hideo shook with laughter motioning the Galka to come at him, Western Devil charged as fast as his feet could move, lunging himself high into the air, performing his Ground Strike, Hideo seeing this grinned as spun around and preformed his Tachi: Gekko. The two slashed at one another in mid air, their blades smashing into the body of the other. The two landed hard onto the ground, Hideo landing on his knees rolled to his feet beside his employer Liz. Western Devil landed hard on his chest, as he laid motionless.

“You’ll be in hell…before me.’ Hideo chuckled as he turned away from the Galka and knelled down to Liz. “Time to take you home,” Hideo spoke as he lifted Liz up and on to his shoulder. He limped away leaving the Galka there to lie in a pool of his own blood.

As he exit the room, he rested for a moment, setting Liz back down. Taking a large breath, as he inhaled he coughed a little. The sound of feet running on the dark tile of the castle, Hideo turned to see the Galka charge out from the room at him at full speed. Hideo whipped around with his blade drawn and ready. Parrying the Galka’s attack, the two rolled back as they slide across the ground.

“Reraise…I should have guess, you almost won me over with your tactics. You are too smart to be a Galka.” Hideo laughed as he got to his feet, he turned and was greeted with a gauntlet, smashing into his face. Stumbling sideways, Hideo turned and returned the fist with one of his own. The two swung their fists at one another as they moved down the dark hallways. Stopping, Hideo slammed his fist into the gut of the Galka, and smashed his elbow down upon the Galka’s head. He grabbed the Galka’s armor and held him in front of him. Grabbing a potion form his pocket, he opened it and poured it down the Galka’s throat.

“Can't you feel the poison rising straight to the heart? This poison potion, will end your life slowly, it’s very potent. You see I would like to watch you die slowly…making sure you’ll never get in my way again. My venomous bite, have bested many…and now I’ve buried my fangs into you.” Hideo thrust his Hagun; a blunt tipped Great Katana, into the Galka. “I won’t help you; I’ll let you rot away…” Hideo freed his weapon, and kicked the Galka off down into a large gap that lead to the deepest and darkest bowels of the castle.

Hideo turned away, and returned to Liz as he helped her back up. She finally coming to, got to her feet.

“Where am I?”

“Castle Zvahl, How are you feeling?”

"Ok, I guees. You?"

"I'm feeling good. Here take this." Hideo tossed a scroll towards Liz.

“What is it?” Liz questioned as she caught the scroll.

“A warp scroll, vanish from my sight.” Hideo spoke as he wiped his Hagun clean as he placed a toothpick in his mouth.

“Huh?”

“I’m not in the mood to baby sit you any longer.” Hideo laughed padding her on the shoulder.

“I see, well here is your payment.” Liz fidgeting with items, grabbed a bag and handed it to him. “I’m surprise he didn’t take it.”

“No…this wasn’t about Gil, this was more personal on his end. But he is dead…”

“Oh…well its all there. If you want to count it, go ahead. It’ll take forever…but hopefully I’ll see you again sometime.”

“Doubt it.” Hideo turned and headed toward the exit as she waved goodbye vanishing with the warp scroll. Walking alone through the castle, he knew it be a long way to any populated location, he moved slowly and with a heavy sigh. Hideo Wiriamuzu, the Demon of the East, had clamed another victim.