I have purpose in this life.
My purpose is to serve my Lord in all things;
to be his sword and shield, to destroy any before us.
I am prepared to do anything in Death's name.
Let all who stand in my way perish,
and all return to Lethias' peace...
I have purpose in this life.
My purpose is to serve my Lord in all things;
to be his sword and shield, to destroy any before us.
I am prepared to do anything in Death's name.
Let all who stand in my way perish,
and all return to Lethias' peace...
la
In contrast, Rulei, his bonded Reaper, was a demon known for not how many lives he had taken - but his indomitable adherence to a strict code of honor, one that led him to refuse his Lord on many occasions in life. An honorable assassin in service to the Kingdom of the wolf goddess, this demon held morals and ethics above all, and often counseled his friend in many dealings. He is soft-spoken and calm of mind and heart, rarely roused, and very strategic.
To friends, he was gentle and kind; he could pass as a human in many instances, and often traveled as the eyes and ears of the Zeishin where others could not go. He was altruistic and determined, but fierce and defiant in battle, especially against those who had broken his moral code. As a Reaper, he was conflicted in many things that the Zeishin did, and often asked his Lord for mercy on those that were innocent.
In his current state, he acts as a voice of guidance for Asheron, and usually only takes over when the need is dire or soul-hunger overrides them both.
la
When Rulei takes control, Asheron's white and black colors reverse;
In life, Rulei was a tall demon who appeared mostly human; he had long black hair that fell around his face, the rest of it tied back in a high ponytail, and sharp golden eyes. He wore a traditional kataginu in blacks and golds, and always carried an assortment of weapons on his person (though the only visible one was a long sword commonly referred to as a nodachi, often thought to be a ruse for opponents to mistake him as a War samurai).
la
Like all Demonic Reapers, Asheron has the ability to tear away and devour spiritual energy, as well as to catch and eat spirits that have fled their earthly bodies. To capture a spirit, he must bite it; his claws, spurs, and teeth may inflict small spiritual damage, but are not enough to hold a soul long enough to consume. Therefore, he will often watch and wait while others have worn down an enemy, and then deliver a swift killing blow to enable the bite and capture of a fleeing soul.
la
Rulei was an assassin for the Death Kingdom in life; a member of the Zeishin and a Ki-Kamishio Reaper, as well as a best friend to the Lord Izanuki, himself. Unlike many of his fellows, he was a prodigy that retained much of his humanity, and never killed without honor or reason; he would seek out and destroy those who broke his own moral code, but usually released lesser offenders even against the wishes of his fellow assassins. However, none retaliated against him - holding the Lord's friendship was a thing of exceptional honor, and made him virtually untouchable.
After many years of service, he was allowed by Lord Izanuki to open a dojo and fall into the appearance of a simple master who taught War techniques to any Death demon who desired his schooling. One such demon was a young n'vaen named Mizashi, who quickly became enamored of Rulei's skill with a sword. Years passed with relative peace in the Realms - Rulei took on Mizashi as an apprentice, and taught him everything he could. The two became fast friends, though unbeknownst to the Reaper, dark desire burned within the younger demon, a jealousy that smoldered in the unseen darkness of his inner soul.
When Mizashi achieved mastery, he went on to become one of the Kenshi, tested by Lord Izanuki himself. More years passed when a letter came, born upon the wings of a skree to Rulei of a meeting with his former student, a proposed friendly duel to show how much he had improved. Rulei sent the scalebird back, pleased to accept - the location would be a small island off the northern coast, set around midday. The Reaper left his dojo in the care of another and set sail immediately, arriving not an hour before their duel was to start.
But Mizashi was late; the young demon didn't show for hours, and when he did, the moon was setting on the opposite horizon. Having worried about his former student, he was incensed when Mizashi told him that his delay could have been avoided - he'd gotten sidetracked by a woman, and hadn't left until late. As they talked, Rulei waved aside his tardiness and drew his sword; he wanted to see the young n'vaen's skill and how much being a Kenshi had affected him.
The former student, however, commented that they should take a moment to admire the moonset; he climbed out of the boat with an oar in hand, and came to stand beside his teacher as the red moon shimmered, already half below the horizon. Relenting, Rulei agreed that it was indeed beautiful, and sheathed his sword once more. He talked about the dojo and apprentices that came and went - how none had matched Mizashi yet, and perhaps none would. He hadn't noticed in his reminiscing that the younger demon had drawn a few steps back - he didn't see the gleam of hunger in his former pupil's eyes.
He didn't see the betrayal until the oar slammed into the base of his skull, knocking him into the water. He didn't know, until in the dizzy beginnings of a Tri-akun-haze, that it was Mizashi... until his former student's blade ripped across his throat.
His blood stained the water scarlet as the dying demon heard Mizashi's words; words that still echo with him to this day. "I've killed the great Reaper Rulei," the younger demon had said. "I have bested you, and I will be known throughout the land as your better. The Lord will accept me as a Reaper in your place, and my legend will grow where yours grew stagnant. I am better than you, Rulei! And I will always be..."
Then, Rulei's spirit fled, as his life came to an end. His soul wandered the Spirit Realm aimlessly for hundreds of years, and not even watching Lord Izanuki execute Mizashi for his treachery brought him true peace. Only recently has the assassin been given new purpose, new direction, in being bonded with a Demonic Reaper, forever in service to this Kingdom of Death.
Coding (c) Verridith; art (c) Scarlet and myself! He was originally a Destiny Intertwined dragon designed by Carina.