In Battles of Blood and Shadow 2

In Battles of Blood and Shadow

The Tunnel

His footsteps echoed off the stone walls around her as he spoke. His voice was deceptively calm. If she hadn't known who he was, she might have mistaken his tone for something less sinister.

"Aw, leaving so soon?" as he spoke, it was something between a pout and a chiding remark. He continued closer to her tunnel, "We haven't even been properly introduced yet."

She was silent, frozen with uncertainty. Staying in this tunnel would offer no long term protection, now that he knew she was here. She did her best to conceal her nerves. He'd expect her to cower, since she had no Jujutsu sorcery of her own, not even a simple cursed tool. Not that it would do any good against this monstrosity. No, the only thing she had ready at her disposal was her ability to read people and give them what they want. And right now, she was sure he wanted nothing more than to skin her alive or have her drawn and quartered. She had to be clever. She had to use his pride against him, but how?

His feet were two meters from the cave now. She could hear the taunting voice closer now.

"Still hiding? How rude."

She took a breath. Sukuna, from what she'd gathered, made his decisions not from logic, or even cruelty. He simply did what he found to be interesting. But what would a curse find engaging? Certainly not begging or pleading. That was too common an occurrence. She swallowed her fear and tried to appeal, offering respect but not a demand, "How right. If you will permit me entrance..."

He cocks an eyebrow at her polite tone. There was just a hint of fear in it.

"Very well, human. I give you my permission." Perhaps she had no idea what he was. He would soon savor the mix of horror and surprise that would paint itself on her face. "You may enter."

As she crawled out from the small tunnel, she kept her face low to the ground. Unsure of what to do or say next, Sachi tried to think quickly.

"Thank you," she said, still looking at his shoes, her hands firmly on the ground.

"And now you thank me? While crawling from the ground on your belly like the little worm you are. How very... human of you." His voice was dripping with disdain, but there was an undercurrent of curiosity at her lack of fear.

He noticed it then, a little curse, perched on her shoulder. She probably couldn't even see it. Pathetic. Humans, all of them such vile and weak beings, so unequipped in handling even their own pitiful cursed energy. And this one couldn't even see the curse. It was almost laughable.

He took her form in, eyeing her curiously. She is a small human woman, with brown hair. He could not see her eyes and that annoyed him. Humans always gave everything away with their damn eyes.

Suddenly, she feels his rough hand grasp her chin, forcibly lifting her face to his. "Look at me when I'm talking to you. It's disrespectful to put your head down in my presence."

Despite her mounting fears, she looks into his eyes and speaks as evenly as she can. Pictures did him no justice. No drawing she had seen of the King of Curses compared to the terrifying being before her now. His eyes were truly red. They seemed to glow with a sadistic delight that made her want to run. But she held fast, refusing to fall prey. She would will herself to be calm.

"Thank you for telling me." without so much as a blink, "I will be sure to keep that in mind."

Although she attempted to hide it, Sukuna could feel the little tendrils of emotion in her. He could feel her shudder internally at his gaze. He gripped her chin tighter, his smirk growing. He was beginning to enjoy this particular human's affinity for balancing fear and politeness.

"You're surprisingly calm for a mortal. Most humans would be begging for their lives. But you... you are thanking me. How amusing."

So, she had made the right choice to remain as calm as possible. Good. She waited a beat, then probed. "Are you asking me to tell you why? Or are you sharing your thoughts with me for fun?"

Sukuna chuckled. Her demeanor was calm and yet slightly defiant, an intriguing mix of emotions for a human. He released her chin and tilted his head taking in her small and weak human form again.

"You are a curious one. I was merely sharing an observation, but feel free to enlighten me. Why are you so unfazed by the presence of a curse?"

"An astute observation," she praises gently, "but it's also the answer. I am very curious."

Curious. A rare response, Sukuna thinks. "How interesting. Most mortals are too worried with their impending death to consider engaging in any sort of banter. I must say, it's refreshing. I applaud your bravery, even if it is tinged with stupidity."

"I appreciate your compliment," she smiled, feeling a tiny bit more continent in her ability to engage with the curse, "even if it is backhanded in nature,"

Sukuna laughs, this time more genuinely. "Not many mortals can boast such a clever tongue. You have the audacity to speak to me so boldly. It's a rare thing, I'll give you that. But, tell me this. Are you really curious? Or is it simply a death wish?"

She could not be sure that her approach would work, but she reasoned that it was more likely to benefit her to be of interest to Sukuna than to not be of interest to him at this current point. Seeing as she had walked right into his domain, she wasn't sure she'd be able to leave at this point even if she'd crawled back the way she came.

"I may have a mortal mind, this is true." She explained, in a tone that she tried to make sound formal and respectful, but not afraid, "But, I cannot be satisfied with only mortal knowledge."

Sukuna cocks an eyebrow, a bit taken aback at this response. "Mortal knowledge. So you're unsatisfied with the cards that have been dealt to you? That's why you came to my domain?"

"To be completely truthful, I had not come looking to find you. I had been researching curses and techniques in a nearby place when I felt myself... pulled in this direction."

"Ah, researching curses, were you?" he laughs, "You found my domain quiet by accident. Just happened to feel pulled in my direction? That's interesting, indeed. It seems fate has brought you to me whether you intended it or not."

"Fate," she repeats thoughtfully, before she can stop herself the question is halfway out of her mouth, "That's an interesting concept for the King of Curses. It would seem that a powerful curse would have no need for the concept of 'fate'. Or do I misunderstand you?"

"Fate, destiny, luck...such trivial human concepts. Still, even I cannot deny that sometimes fate plays a hand." He smirks, "Besides, if it weren't up to fate, you would not be kneeling here before me, after all. So in a way you could say that I am not entirely immune to the whims of 'fate'."

She looks into his eyes, "hmm."

"Hmm?" He mocks, "You kneel before the King of Curses himself and all you can think to say is 'hmm?' You've been bold enough, no point holding your tongue now. Out with it."

She recalled as much as she could about Ryomen Sukuna. His cursed techniques, his domain, his history. But, there was one question that she did not have an answer to. "So, if you adhere to the whims of fate as you say," she treaded lightly, "are you not omnipotent?"

Sukuna laughs, finding the question both naive and amusing. "Omnipotence? You mortals always think in such black and white terms. But power is not so clearly defined. I am a cursed spirit, a force of nature. No. I am not omnipotent. That is a power reserved for the gods, which I very much am not."

She nods, looking away in thought. So he was not a god, but he did have some god-like abilities, at least in his domain. It looked like an empty void at the moment. The dark walls were high, the floor a lacquered black. It was polished and clean, she could have seen her reflection in it if it had not been so dark. The room was lit sparsely. There was the mountainous pile of bones and decay which made up his towering throne. It sat, grotesquely, in the very center of the open space. There were three candelabras that stood at the base of the throne. Each one held seven black candles that flickered subtly in the dark. His voice pulled her back to reality.

"Now tell me what you are thinking so intently, little human. You certainly have courage. Most mortals would be sobbing senseless by now and yet, you deign to question the very limits of my power."

As earnestly as she can, she says, "I do not intend to insult. But, being a god... is that off the table for you?"

He did not expect that question, "A god? Me. A cursed spirit." he says dryly, " become a god? That's a fascinating thought, little mortal. Perhaps you're even bolder than I thought. But becoming a true god? This is not something a cursed spirit can simply do. It requires tremendous power, not just cursed energy. It also requires devotion, and a belief system to fuel its power. And I am not particularly known for inspiring faith among men."

Her eyes cut to the floor again, "I see."

He crosses his arms, more serious this time. "You seem disappointed by my answer."

"Well," she hesitates before saying it, "Why not? When you were human you exchanged your human nature for that of a curse. Why not exchange the curses' power for that of an omnipotent god?"

"You know my human history. That's impressive I suppose." he says his eyebrows arching just slightly, "But you have a most flawed understanding. I did exchange my human nature to become the King of Curses, true enough. But I did it to suit my own goals, not for mere power. And as much as I hate humans, I have no wish to become a god. Divinity would mean submitting myself to a higher authority and code and" he bends close to her, his voice low and menacing, "that is something I refuse to do."

She shudders the tiniest bit at his voice so close to her. "Why then did you become the King of Curses? You say our mortal history of you has been remembered incorrectly. So, what then was your goal if not power?"

"You're quite curious about me, aren't you? Very well, I'll satisfy your curiosity then. In my human life I was a jujutsu sorcerer, a powerful one at that. But my true goal was never power for its own sake. No, I sought strength to challenge the very concept of power. I sought to destroy the hierarchy and rules set by those who believed themselves more worthy than me."

"The embodiment of chaos" she mutters in quiet realization. "With the only sort of true power... a power with no limitations. Except, perhaps, an eventual death... but until that point you answer to no one and no thing. I see."

"You understand me well. My very existence is defined by my hatred for humanity. Becoming a god would mean abandoning that, going against my nature, allowing humans to worship me. It would be like asking a wolf to become a sheep."

"But even you must answer to death?"

There is a twinge of annoyance in his voice now. " Ah death. Yes. Even I cannot escape the inevitability of death. It's the one limit that even a King of Curses like me cannot overcome."

"If you could surpass death, if you could cheat your way out and still keep your power, what do you think that would require?"

His eyes gleam, full of intrigue. He thinks. "If I could bypass death and still retain my power... now that is an interesting thought. It would require something extraordinary, to cheat the very laws of existence. Perhaps it would require a transformation, a new form that could transcend mortality. Or maybe it would require a power so great it can defy even the very concept of death. Still, it might require a bargain with the gods. To make a deal that would defy nature's order and change the nature of my being as well. But this is all purely hypothetical. I would never lower myself to plead with the very being I disdain."

"No," she shakes her head, "I suppose you would not."

He was impressed by her perceptiveness, as well as her questions. He regarded her more seriously now. "I've always found them to be hypocritical. They impose their will and their rules onto mortals and have the gall to call it "good" and "righteous". It's a sick joke if you ask me."

"I..." she hesitated, "I can certainly empathize with the sentiment."

Sukuna chuckles. He leans in closer, taking in her expression. "Now that's some distancing language. You have a history with the gods don't you? I can sense the conflict at war within you. Is it something you don't like to talk about?"

"I'm sure it's a story you've heard many times. It wouldn't bring you anything new. I do not understand their ways, but I would not wish to be one either."

She wasn't wrong. Sukuna had heard many mortals and their tales of woe. He knew how cruel the gods could be and he knew how fickle the humans were. Nothing she could have told about her experiences would have come as a surprise.

"What you say is true. Still, I find your perspective most intriguing at the moment. You don't understand gods, but wouldn't want to be them? Care to elaborate on that?"

"If gods must follow certain rules, in order to be gods, they must feel stuck. Whereas I am stuck because I cannot understand them."

He lets out a hum of approval at her words. "You have a surprisingly deep understanding for a mortal. I see what you mean. The gods are limited in that way, a cage made of their own divine nature. While you... tiny human... you're limited by your very humanity. Ironic isn't it? Two sides of the same coin, both bound by the constraints of their own natures."

"I see now why you've thrown away the coin entirely and come up with something else. Very clever."

Sukuna laughs, to his surprise, he is beginning to enjoy this conversation with the disgusting human. He smirks, leaning in close to her. "You flatter me, little mortal. Yes, I have indeed "thrown out the coin" as you so succinctly put it. I have carved out my own path, by my own will. I am unbound by the limitations of either god or mortal. And I intend to use my power to reshape the very world in my image. That's the true purpose of power is it not? To defy all limits and reshape the world to your liking?"

Thinking of his words, she hesitates, deciding to be honest and genuine, "I ... I'm not sure I would know the 'true purpose' of most things, least of all power. Maybe there is an innate 'true power'. Maybe power as an idea can be molded by whatever force wields it. I'm not sure."

Such a contemplative mortal being, he thought. He looked at her, studying her as she knelt. "Perhaps you're right. But what would you say, little mortal, if I were to say that the purpose of my power is destruction?"

She changed her position, sitting criss-cross as she thought carefully. She looked at the pile of decay in the center of the room once more. She wondered if it would be better to be honest or to try to hide it. Honesty won. She looked up at him with a wince, "I would say, 'I knew that,'."

Sukuna laughs heartily, thoroughly enjoying her bluntness. She knows his power and yet she sits calmly, like a friend visiting another friend.

"So tell me, if you already knew my true power, why did you kneel before me? Why not flee in fear?"

"I knelt to demonstrate respect, though I know you do not need me to do this. As you've said you take no pleasure in being worshiped. Secondly, my need for understanding outweighs my fear. And finally," she hesitates a while, "I do not fear death."

Now this is strange, Sukuna thought. Most humans are wired for self-preservation. Most humans, if confronted with death, are terrified by the prospect of their own mortality.

"What an interesting admission. It takes a certain bravery or perhaps foolishness to not fear death. Tell me, little mortal, why do you not fear death? Is it because you have no attachment to this world? Or is it something else that emboldens you to face death without fear?"

She thinks about her response, sitting on the floor before him.

"Take your time," he muses, "Think carefully. For your answer will reveal more about yourself than you realize."

"I do not fear death," she said, finally looking into his eyes directly and holding his gaze, "because I find solace in the equality of it."

A flicker of surprise passed though his face, before he narrowed his eyes. Equality? Now that's an interesting take on death. He thought to himself, Though, I suppose death is a sort of equalizer. It treats all beings equally in the end.

He leaned closer, his face scrutinizing, "Most see it as a cruel force to be avoided and feared, but you... you take comfort in its inevitability, its egalitarianism. I must admit, I am quite intrigued that such a pathetic and small mortal could see things this way. Tell me more. You seem strangely at peace with this reality. You seem to accept death without fear. How is that I wonder?"

She shrugs by way of response, not wishing to disclose the reason to the curse standing before her.

"No fear, just a casual dismissal. You're a curious one, you know that? Your lack of fear is refreshing," he smiled, "if not a little eerie."

She listens, sitting before him, her hands folded in her lap.

"What secrets do you hold?" He says almost to himself.

She laughed earnestly now. "Secrets?"

Sukuna couldn't help but chuckle at her surprised and nervous response. He'd struck a nerve, finally. What an interesting little puzzle he'd been given today.

"Yes. Secrets. Every being has them," he pauses, "but you seem to have very little fear, very few doubts, and seemingly no insecurities. Your nonchalance is both impressive and strange. It's as if you're hiding something. So what is it?"

As she ponders his last question, she tilts her head. Then she moves to lay on the ground and stares up at the roof of his domain. "Hmm" she begins, casually tapping her fingers, "'Hiding' is such a strong word. There are many things that I have not told you simply because I don't want to bore you or waste your time. But since you have asked so directly, I will oblige. What do you want to know?"

"Alright then, let's see... I'm curious about you. How are you fearless in the face of a superior being like me?"

She rolled over putting her hand under her chin and looked up at him. "At the risk of seriously pissing you off," she said flatly, "I don't know."

Sukuna laughed at her candor. He wondered to himself. You don't know? That's certainly an interesting answer. Most mortals would have some sort of justification... How strange.

"That's either incredibly ignorant or incredibly brave." he says finally.

"Since you like honesty, I'll admit it's probably ignorance."

"Well at least you're honest about your own failures. That's a step up from most mortals. I suppose. Ignorance or not, your lack of fear is truly fascinating, almost endearing in a foolish sort of way."

She gives a soft laugh, and lays back down peering up at him as her fingers slowly trace the lines on the stone floor. "Any more questions?"

"Yes... I do have a few more. But this time I want to delve deeper into that fearless little mind of yours. Tell me, what do you think about as you lie on the floor of my Malevolent Shrine, so peacefully."

The answer comes without pause, "That I am lucky to have seen such a place before I die. Inevitably, of course."

"Lucky, huh?" he ponders, his smirk replaced with a thoughtful gaze. He crosses his arms, "You consider yourself lucky to have seen my presence before death." Most would find this a terrible tragedy but you, you find it ... lucky. How unusual.

After thinking, he added, "One might say that is very foolish indeed."

She shrugs. The cool floor on the shrine beneath her as she stares into the black abyss above. The domain seems to have no end to its darkness.

"Ah the classic shrug." Sukuna mocks, "Truly your eloquence knows no bounds. But I suppose it fits you well, since you seem so blase in the face of death."