Sess + Swords - #1 Legend

[airian-reesu.livejournal.com]

Before I post... --is shamelessly fangirled-- Thanks, everyone, for all the nice comments! I should reply to them individually, but I never really know what to say....

I've really been putting these out, haven't I? I think it's the fault of spring break... That, and if I don't write them now, I'll forget all my ideas....

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Title: Legend Says
Rating: PG (or rather "K+"…-_-…)
Genre: Umm…drama? Historical?
Couple: Sess + Swords
Theme: #1 - Legend
Words: 367
Squicks: Mention of religion (though the one in here has never really existed…) Servile worshipping? AU-ishness?
Summary: But they believe him to be there. He is not.


Note: Like mentioned above, religion is kind of used in here. And, although it's in Japan, it doesn't really "feel" Japanese. Sorry about that, but this is based loosely on an semi-AU fiction I wanted to write once, so that might explain it. No strikes against religions intended…

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It all began with a father passing down a heritage to a son. A gift unlike one ever given but thought to be nothing. Misadventures brought the child to be weaker, though he dare not admit it. To compensate he forged a sword. Now he could deal both death and life, one-handed.

Rumors speak of a powerful youkai. Made of armor-flesh and bloody robes. Lingers on the edge of battle scenes. Dispassionate beast, it does nothing if unprovoked. Granted the powers of immortality and pain, it does nothing.

Tales tell of an immortal visage, glanced before life brought anew. Word spread, weaving out in fanciful webs of disillusion. Beautiful spirit, they cry. Benevolent soul to spare us our sorrow. Guardian, benefactor, Glorious One. One small story, and the son there once was has gone and died. Worshipped to private death.

History tells of a surge of demise, tearing the land to its core. Screaming to their benevolent one, wanting the life he bestows. What they believe to be lies tell the truth; webs burn to cinders. For what he does give, he takes in tenfold.

Legend speaks of a fearsome god. Granted the power to give life or take it away. Justice bestowed with the same hand, for it all ties in the same. Giving and taking, your fate on a whim. Bow before that presence unseen. A spirit of callous benediction; breathe in again and whisper the name. In moments of death, imagine him there. Watching, waiting. Glorious in mourning, brimful in pain. Cursed with this gift from a spiritual father, sent to destroy the mortal coil. Serve him well, revere the name, and grant yourself life eternal.

Legend says it is so. The people believe it true. Depictions drawn, falling flat. Dull expiring eyes stare, seeing naught. But they believe him to be there.

He is not.

Legends are brought low by time, whittled away. A cut-brief description on a worn textbook page. A simple amusement for daydreaming minds. Nothing further. Truths behind legends have rotted away. Blind to in the past, not thought of in the future.

No one believes in a legend now. But what does it matter anymore?

The legend is dead.


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I'm proud of this one. I enjoyed writing it. But, since I wrote it late and proof-read after midnight, please feel free to point out any errors!

Comments

[hardlyfatal.livejournal.com]

This was gorgeous. Really, really gorgeous. But I'm not seeing how it gives us anything about his relationship with his swords. Clarify it for me?

[reiku.livejournal.com]

I think its that Toukijin and Tenseiga made Sesshoumaru into sort of a god figure. That's the way I interupted it anyway. XD

[airian-reesu.livejournal.com]

Yep, that's it. ^_^ My thought-- someone who can cheat death could easily be turned into something god-like. Add in there his tendency for violence, then...well, you get this.

Sorry if it was a little vague...

[reiku.livejournal.com]

Naw, it wasn't too vague. In fact, I have a similar theory. So, it was like you walked into my brain. XDDD