The Rise Of Yobi
ISSUE #1
Chie walked, flanking the brightly colored carriage of the Kanjasumisu family. Accompanying him and their charges were three other Yobi; Gosu, Nim and Takakuwa.
They had been hired as guards for members of the great smithing family while they traveled between villages, studying metalworking techniques and looking for apprentices. Skill, not blood, made you part of this family. Something Chie respected.
The Kanjasumisu provided a significant amount of the Yobi arsenal, known for creating beautiful and deadly bladed weapons, with a knack for explosive concoctions as well. Chie felt many of these new explosives were a danger to the Samurai tradition of honor in combat but he could not deny their effectiveness. If the Koto were to be stopped, the Yobi had to use every tool at their disposal.
The samurai in front of him made a discreet hand gesture, signaling that he had spotted someone in the trees ahead. Chie gave no outward sign of preparation but steeled himself, ready to respond to any threat.
The first projectile made a sharp metallic “tang” sound as it deflected from his blade, the katana placed precisely in the projectile’s path toward the window of the carriage.
Chie responded with the throwing knives he always kept hidden in his armour, hearing one of the assailants cry out in pain as one of his knives found its mark.
Gosu, charged towards the foliage obscuring their opponents from sight. Doing little to protect himself from further potential ranged assault, he outran the majority of what was thrown or fired at him, shrugging off what he didn’t and leaping into one of the trees that were lining the road. A moment later a hooded figure dropped from the tree, body crunching against the ground lifelessly and the brawler leapt to a neighboring tree, seeking to repeat the process.
Nim was quickly returning fire, dropping targets from trees with her short-bow before turning to the assailants making their way into the road in front of the carriage. Dropping several before re-focusing on the trees as Chie and his samurai companion, Takakuwa, placed themselves to the front and rear of the carriage respectively.
Chie approached the small group, taking a quick step within the first Koto’s swing and delivering a sharp headbutt that sent the victim sprawling. As the first fell away he clashed swords with the second, stomping down on the throat of the fallen Koto, then putting his full strength into the contest of swords. Narrowly managing to slice the man’s neck as he withdrew from the entanglement.
Just as Chie took a step back a heavy wooden staff slammed into the ground where he had been standing, Chie took the opportunity to kick the staff hard, throwing the wielder off balance long enough to strike at his wrist. Relieving the Koto of his sword hand. Chie cut his wailing short with a flick of his blade before falling back into a ready stance.
Two arrows found the eyes of the luckier of the last three survivors, the last turning to run — only to find Gosu waiting to twist his neck, a sharp crack signaling the last of the Koto ambush had fallen.
“The Koto are becoming more active by the day, Chie. Your father would be disappointed in us.” Takakuwa said grimly, wiping the blood from his katana with a torn piece of linen.
“You’re looking at it wrong, Taka. We’re making them desperate, they know our legions are coming for their heads. They’re abandoning their cautious ways, making moves in broad daylight, because they’re scared of what the Yobi represent. We have stolen the night back from them, now we stalk them where they once hid and they cannot shake us. We have bitten down on the neck of the Koto, now we just need to keep our grip.”
“I hope you’re right Chie… I REALLY hope you’re right.”
To be continued…
