Tales of a Samurai

[SwordDao]

In a series of Haiku, Ou Ken details his time spent in Meranthe.

New land, foreign skies

heart finds home inside Xuefeng ...
I miss, Fengjixan

Blades clash in the night -
the master's path is unknown
sword whispers secrets ...

In shadows they dwell
whispers of fear and unrest
Demons, unseen foes

Shadowed loyalty,
deceit's whispers poison trust,
betrayal's bitter

Let go of vengeance!
Peace blossoms in forgiving,
heat finds solace's grace

Sight fades, darkness nears
one eye shut, the world reframes
vision found within

[SwordDao]

Atop the rocky mountains lay a gravestone for the Healer of Xuefeng, etched into parchment paper, Ou Ken pens words for his lost brother.

.
.

Lost in deep abyss

her eyes away from the light

in shadows she sinks
.

.

The lotus withers

memories echo in loss

-Qiao's spirit soars high
.
.

Grief's lonely embrace

...heart heavy with silent loss.

Gone, not forgotten
.
.

Life's fleeting shadow

anguish ebbs and flows like waves ...

acceptance finds peace

[SwordDao]

Besides Qiao's gravestone lay another. Onmyoji the demonic cultivator had suffered her demise by Ou Ken's hands, and through fending off Hubris, Anjin ensured harm did not come his way. The Samurai leaves words for the deceased.
.

.

Lovely illusion

devoted white-clad maiden -

beware her secret

.

.

Half her heart in ice-

the other half still beating.

The Yuki-onna

.

.

Pure white stained red

melting snow reveals life's bloom

. . . my sister, farewell