<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'">The battle had been a massacre. The rival clan had overpowered Kazuma's small contingent easily. Whatever had convinced his father that the clan they were at war with would never figure out how to win was beyond the young Oni's understanding. There had been warnings, from both advisors and allies alike. All had gone unheeded. Now, Kazuma found himself struggling to stay alive. It was a fight that he hadn't prepared for. Even with his skill using a blade. And for all of his innate power - it seemed to be not enough. <br/>
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Kazuma stumbled through the thicket of bushes and trees. His gold and black clothing tattered and bloodstained from both his own wounds and the blood of those he'd lost in the fight -including his father. The devastating blow to his clan would be irreparable now. Nothing could stand against the rival Oni clan. Kazuma's racing thoughts couldn't properly put it all together, not while he was running for his life. Ahead of him, in the distance, the edge of their realm shimmered. A barrier that kept them safely locked away from a world that would have nothing to do with them. <br/>
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Stories of how those beyond the barrier would enjoy nothing better than to kill those that hid within filled Kazuma's mind. Which was better? Death at the hands of the Oni clan chasing him? Or death by an ancient enemy that must have thought his kind were long gone... It wasn't an easy choice. However, facing it, Kazuma knew he wouldn't have a clean, quick death from those that pursued him. Not with the high station he held, and not with the kind of power he inherited either. <br/>
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He pushed on, hoping that beyond the barrier he would find a quick end. Kazuma didn't stop. He had a head start and he could only hope to keep it -wounded as he was. In one hand, he gripped his bloodied katana. The other pressed against the more grievous of his wounds. The barrier loomed closer and soon he was standing right in front of it. His heart pounded, the pale blue shimmer was beautiful to look at, even so close to it. It gave their realm a sort of tint to the colors around him. <br/>
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Yet beyond it, he felt an old, childlike terror well inside of him. What would he step into? The stories all said that the human realm was filled with vile, horrid people with nothing but lust and a drive to kill their kind. Kazuma took a breath. Would he walk into a wall of armed soldiers ready to strike him down? Shouts filled the air behind him. The Oni chasing him were close. Too close. It drove Kazuma forward. With nowhere left to go, he shoved through the barrier.<br/>
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The power that kept their realm hidden away slipped over him like a thick gel. It was hard to breathe. He shoved forward, forcing his weary body to keep going. When he stepped free of it, Kazuma stumbled and took in a gasping breath. The place he ended up in was dark. Darker than he was used to. The air was heavier too, something he immediately disliked. Where was the sky? Kazuma looked around but found it hard to spot anything other than darkness. He stepped forward, straight into a solid wall. Cursing, he lifted his blade and turned to face behind him. So far, none of the other Oni chasing him had pursed. <br/>
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That was good. Now, he just had to figure out where he was. Since no human had tried to kill him yet, Kazuma had the slight hope that he could heal and find his way back to his realm and to his allies. If only he could find a way out of the darkness first.</span>