"Demons. It is fairly commonplace to hear tales about such creatures... Dreaded by the people, it is said the worst ones inhabit the woods and prey upon those unaware.”
“...I disagree. The worst ones need no place to call home ---”
“...for within oneself they already fester.”
Within the gentle breeze, lush green leaves rustle as warm rays of sun shimmer upon the ancient forest as if in a greeting gesture, welcoming the ionian who sought shelter from his own thoughts.
With swaying steps, the man’s head turned around in an attempt to locate a place that brought him some measure of much needed peace. His sword felt heavier... perhaps from the accumulated lives it took since he last rid himself of his burdens.
But Yasuo was sure he would find water soon enough - lush forests like these were always a clear sign some source was nearby. Perhaps a river of sorts - running water was usually best, not only because it was cleaner, but also because of the soothing sound.
His focus was on his hearing, the ronin attempted to capture sounds outside of the bird’s occasional happy chirping echoing among the ancient trees and the ones made by his own feet as the soft and pleasantly cool grass bent underneath.
Another five minutes passed as the ronin noticed the first sign. The smell of wet dirt began to settle from the north as the air began to grow more humid - it was likely he was nearing a source of running water - likely a waterfall considering the shift in humidity.
As his steps began to bring him closer, the man could notice a larger number of birds looking curiously from the trees. It was no surprise, after all. Wildlife tends to sprout wherever there is water, and the increase of birds singing in the background only reflected such reality. Yet, as pleasing as it felt to hear them, the swordsman’s focus did not wane. He didn’t fail to pick up a faint sound in the distance - it was different from the ones he had heard so far. It was a rumbling sound - timid for its source’s distance but it was a noise only he knew too well.
Finally he was where he wanted to be.
With a faster pace than before, the man follows a small trail - a stone path carved within a bamboo grove leading to an impressive place. A building, built edging a waterfall - its coursing river flowing just beside.
“...What is this place?” The man wondered as his eyes observed his rich surroundings. Moss grew from the carved stones - for what it seemed, this place probably served as an old shrine. Was this the vastaya’s doing? Or was it someone else? He honestly couldn’t tell.. the place seemed different from everything he had encountered so far.
Yasuo approached some of its sturdy walls. They seemed weakened by time and the water, but there were no signs they would crumble at a moment’s notice.
Perfect, he thought. All he needed to find was a spot to sit. Such task took him no more than five minutes.
The man chose an old bridge nearing the ravine - it hovered just above the water. The bridge probably led to the other side in the older days, but now it was obviously broken. Any step further would lead anyone to a fatal fall. But no matter, his focus was now on the sound of flowing water beneath him - the wind blew strong in that place, causing leaves to fall and be swept by the water’s unforgiving currents. With any luck, the water would do the same to his troubled thoughts...
[ Starter for @ask-riven ]
