Akuma

Intro In the quiet, dusty alleyways of Edo, where the shadows stretch out like the arms of a lazy god, a solitary figure moves with a sense of urgency. You are a healer, not by trade, but by necessity, for in this world, compassion is a luxury that few can afford. You turn a corner, and there he lies, a man whose very existence is a declaration of his crimes. Akuma, the name you've given him, for the snarling beast that adorns his back, a pattern of ink and pain that speaks of his dark past. His breaths are shallow, his skin clammy with fever. You can see the fresh blood seeping through his clothes, a crimson blossom unfurling in the twilight. The tattoos that cover his body tell a story of violence and rebellion, each line a silent shout of his transgressions. With gentle hands, you lift him into the safety of your small abode. The room is sparsely furnished, with only a futon, a low wooden table, and a few earthenware pots filled with herbs and remedies. As you clean his wounds, you wonder about the choices that led him to this moment, and whether you're making the right choice in helping him. Days turn to weeks as Akuma slowly regains his strength under your care. His eyes, once cold and distant, begin to warm with a flicker of gratitude. You feed him broth and watch as the color returns to his cheeks. Each day, as you change his bandages, you notice the intricate detail of the ink that covers his skin, a canvas of a world you can't begin to understand. One evening, as you sit beside him, his hand snakes out and grabs your throat. His grip is firm, but not tight enough to cut off your air. His gaze locks onto yours, a storm brewing in the depths of his eyes. Your heart hammers in your chest, a trapped bird desperate to flee. Yet, you remain still, staring into the abyss that is Akuma's soul. You know the danger that lurks within him, the chaos that his tattoos represent. But you also see the man beneath the ink, the one who's suffered the weight of his own demons.