Member-only story
This story is based on the Japanese Legend of Benkei and his Standing Death. To protect his Lord, Benkei held the bridge against more than 500 soldiers, killing over 300, and then died standing up as arrows rained down upon him.
The demon warrior still held the bridge. Dead soldiers, too many to count, lay twisted and broken at his feet. Yasuke swallowed hard and glanced at his men. None met his gaze. Some fumbled with their swords, others stared at the ground. One man laughed nervously, another groaned and shat himself.
Yasuke broke the silence. “Next group advance. Bring me the head of that Oniwaka.”
Fifty men stepped forward hesitantly and eased their way to the bridge. The group shuffled to the right as each man pushed against the body beside him, seeking comfort in his comrade’s shadow. No one wanted to be first.
The monstrous figure on the bridge watched the soldiers approach, his eyes dark pits behind a horned face mask. In one hand he held a sword, in the other, a bloody, wooden mallet. More weapons hung from his back: an axe, a rake, a sickle, a saw, an iron staff and a glaive. Seven weapons in total. Always seven.
Suddenly, the men charged. The Oniwaka leapt forward and trampled them like rice stalks. His sword and mallet twirled in a crimson mist, opening arteries and breaking bones. Men screamed and tumbled over bloody limbs.
This is suicide, thought Yasuke. He motioned to his remaining soldiers to prepare the arrows. There was no honour in sending any more men to their death. He raised his arm and gave the command. Bowstrings hummed in unison, unleashing a storm of metal. Dozens of shafts crashed into the towering figure on the bridge.
“Again,” Yasuke roared.
More arrows punched into the Oniwaka.
Silence.
Minutes passed.
And still he stood.
Yasuke inched slowly towards the bridge, his men closely following. Bastard, he thought, how is he still standing? Feathered shafts jutted out from every conceivable angle of the giant’s body. Yasuke removed his sword and rushed toward his opponent. The Oniwaka didn’t move.
Nothing.
Not a twitch.
Yasuke stepped in closer and looked up into the demonic mask. Black eyes stared lifelessly into the distance. The demon warrior was dead.
But still he stood.
Characters in this story
- Benkei
- Yasuke (made-up)
