Warriors in the Mist

[Shagohad]

Step. Bring leg up to one hundred fifty degree arc. Propel forward with stable leg. Sweep leg down. Strike with both hands in staccato fashion.

As one, they moved; their rhythm perfect, their movement coordinated. It was like a dangerous ballet: ambiguous armored figures lashing out at imaginary targets. Before the column stood one figure whom was not participating in the exercise. The featureless faceplate that it wore gazed over the group in slow and methodical sweeping motions. The light blue 'eyes' that dotted the sides of the mask flickered every now and then.

"Good," A male voice came from the mask; oddly enough it was not distorted or muffled. "Our training session today has been productive. You are dismissed for the time being. I will recall you after your rest for sparring."

As one, the group bowed, the leader-figure bowing back. As the group disappeared from the room, only a few lingered, stepping directly up to the leader-figure. His head swiveled to gaze directly at them.

"Sensei," A feminine voice spoke out like a hushed whisper, "A few of us have our doubts."

"You are of the enlightened. The chosen few to live among us. Your doubts are expected." He turned away from the group, gracefully striding to a weapon rack filled with feudal pole arms, swords, and pugilist devices. "So what is it that troubles you?"

"The past," This voice was male, "It is the events of the past that have showed that even at your utmost power, you have been vanquished."

A katana was delicately lifted from its resting place, the steel of the blade singing as it was drawn from its scabbard. "Your kind has shown that its resolve will not allow it to be defeated. Why should we not reflect this?"

"It is the matter of your actions, Sensei. Tekagi is dead, vanquished at the hands of an ignorant and weak fo-"

"Ignorant?" He swiveled about, the expressionless mask holding an ominous shadow. "Those that are ignorant are the most dangerous. We were a hostile force. As hostile as they were. Would they merely lie down and die?" The blade was brought around in a wide arc, whistling as it split the air.

"H-hai, Sensei. But flailing out in anger is not your way. There is no precision, no control."

"Do you know what makes the katana an effective weapon?" Again, the blade was swung, whipped up and brought into an overhead arc.

"Sensei?"

"Its function and versatility. Such a dangerous item in the hands of a trained individual can slaughter armies. Be it swung about wildly or aimed at the heart of a foe, the weapon does not matter. It is those who wield it."

"I don't understand," The woman cocked her head to the side, her emotions now showing through her posture.

"Our methods are of no concern. As long as we are the ones whom do them, then they are effective."

The third and final figure spoke, his voice came out in annoyance, "But arrogance like that will get you nowher-" The whistling of steel ended with the sickening tear of flesh and the crunch of bone. Where the moon stood was not a neatly bisected man, his limbs twitching as he slumped forward; his top no longer connected to his bottom.

The others stepped back from the dead man, their Sensei standing over the crumpled heap with blood-stained katana in hand. "Then do not resist us," His voice was sinister, almost reveling in the violence. The mask set upon the two others, "Be mindful of whom you deal with. The followers of Tekagi are of the utmost awareness of deceit around them. Your friends need to be of better caliber."

"Hai, Sensei," The two spoke as one, their voices filled with fright.

"You are dismissed."

---

"THE HULL HAS BEEN BREACHED AND THE SCIENCE IS LEAKING OUT!"