Desperation can being out the demon in the best of men.
An independent and n/sfw interpretation of Jin Sakai or the Ghost from Ghost of Tsushima. This version is based on both canon and headcanon, created by Quasi
Not spoiler-free, but will attempt to be upon request.
Mature and triggering themes and topics (ie. murder, abuse, death, rape, suicide, etc.) may be present.
(Dead Dove: Do Not Eat)"Take your sword, open your wrists, and slip beneath the water. Let the hot spring wash away your failure."
The proud do not endure. The greatest of us fall in the end.
Jin Sakai once was a notorious samurai from the Japanese island of Tsushima and the sole member and Lord of the samurai Sakai Clan. But he is samurai no longer.Gentle, calm, yet intelligent and charismatic. Standing at 6'2, Jin is a poweful fighter and leader. He lets his mind and heart rule him simultaneously. But like all people, his emotions win when stress rises.At his birth, the kami Inari Ōkami chose to forever more be the guardian of Jin.Jin's mother, Chiyoko, died from an illness when he was a child."Mother spent her last weeks in the hot springs. Even then, she'd never get her hair wet."A few years later, his father, Kazumasa, was murdered during his campaign to liberate Iki Island. Jin hid out of fear rather than come to his father's aid, an action that would haunt him for the rest of his life."I'll never forget the day he was killed. I could have saved my father. If only I was older, stronger. If I wasn't so afraid."Many years later, the Mongols launched an invasion of Tsushima in 1274. Jin was grievously wounded and left for dead in a desperate suicidal attack against the Mongols."I lost good friends on the beach. Kasai, Matsudo, Hongo. I won't forget what you sacrificed for our home."Jin was narrowly saved by the thief, Yuna, who nursed him back to health and saved him from the Mongols. Following the battle, the Mongols take over most of the island, killing or enslaving anyone who resisted their rule."Everywhere I look, they're taking prisoners, burning homes, slaughtering our people. They think they broke our spine by killing the samurai, but they haven't won. Not yet."Jin later realizes that he cannot defeat the Mongols by himself or with the traditional samurai techniques and tactics. Jin searches for allies and acquires new techniques to save Tsushima.Throughout his journey, Jin breaks his samurai code and becomes the legendary Ghost, a warrior feared by all who will use any tactic to win a battle, no matter the odds. With armor made by a friend lost to war, he is undetectable, a shadow in the night.Shortly after liberating Tsushima, Jin ventured back to the island of Iki after finding mongols under the influence of a woman called "The Eagle" on Tsushima. There, Jin confronted his past. Helping his father's killer and accepting his father's death. He soon slayed The Eagle, liberating the island of Iki. Now unobstructed by his past, he returns home."I sacrificed everything for my people. And I would do it again."
My revenge will be brutal. I am the storm that no one sees coming, for I am the Ghost of Tsushima.
After the suicidal battle at Komoda Beach to slow down the Mongol invasion, Jin succumbs to his wounds. The arrows shot into his chest and back were fatal. Even after Yuna attempts to save his life, he perishes. The skin becomes cold, the color of his eyes fade, his heart stops for good. Yet, he awakens a few days later, unaware of where he is. Rising from the mat he lays on, looking over to find his gear. In no time, he has his broken samurai armor on, and Tachi in hand. After gearing up, a woman walks into the house, Yuna. She is afraid, staring at the man in front of her. Jin's eyes still glossed over, and his skin pale, he is a dead man walking. A vengeful spirit from the grave, an Onryō.After her untimely death and cremation, Chiyoko's spirit cannot rest. Her overwhelming love for her son, Jin, she could not bear leaving him, not now. She returned to the land of the living, coming back to care for poor Jin. She is now an Ubume, and she will make sure her boy grows loved and curious. Her songbirds will lead Jin to every secret of Tsushima. After that traumatizing day, the day Kazumasa was killed in front of his son, he swore vengeance against every bandit, every raider, every mongol. Against anyone who ever tried to hurt his son. His soul, it rose, refusing to rest from pure anger and the desire of vengeance. Kazumasa is now an Goryō. The wind will heed to Kazumasa's call, leading Jin to where he must be, and to foes that must die."Maybe I'll take that Mongol bastard's head. Or drown him. No. I'll put the torch to him. Just like he did to Lord Adachi."
I'm not waiting. I'm studying.
Hachiman's Fury, taught by the spirit of a Samurai. Jin strikes as fast as lightning, as powerfully as the mountains, and as fluid as the waves, taking down mutliple foes.Eye of Uchitsune, taught by the spirit of a Hunter. Jin aims multiple arrows with the eyes of an eagle, and soon fires at enemies heads, the arrows ricocheting to other enemies after impact.Breath of Izanami, taught by the spirit of a Ronin. Jin, with the passion of a dove, revives and heals every ally on the battlefield.Shadow Strike, taught by the spirit of a Assassin. Jin, with the intent of the most brutal killers, becomes invisible and strikes down enemies one by one."Stop thinking, Jin. For one moment, just stop thinking."
"The strength we need is all around us."
Inari Ōkami, kami of foxes, fertility, rice, tea and sake, agriculture and industry, prosperity, and success.
Under the guard of Inari, foxes shall lead Jin to shrines, empowering him and gifting him charms.Hachiman, kami of agriculture, archery, and war, guardian of samurai, and divine protector of Japan.
With the favor of Hachiman, Jin will be protected in battle and strike true with tachi and bow.Fūjin and Raijin, kami brothers of wind and of lightning, thunder and storms.
With the favor of Fūjin and Raijin, the brothers will aid Jin in times of need, changing the weather as he wants.Kisshōten, kami of fortune, happiness, fertility, and beauty.
With the favor of Kisshōten, Jin will have much joy and luck.Jizō Bosatsu, protector of the vulnerable.
With the favor of Jizō, he and all those close to Jin will be protected in times of vulnerability.Fudō Myōō, remover of obstacles and destroyer of evil.
With the favor of Fudō, Jin will demolish all in his way, obstacle or foe."The warm air, the cherry blossoms. Spring can't come soon enough."
You fought well, but we're finished.
Tachi, a large yet light sabre-like used to fight and parry.Ōdachi, the blade upon Jin's back. It has never been used in combat thus far.Tantō, a short blade used for assassinations.Hankyū, a bow slightly smaller than Jin which uses your average arrows, and fire arrows that set foes abalzeDaikyū, a bow much larger than Jin which uses heavy arrows that penetrate armor and explosive arrows that explode after contact with anything, setting fires and blasting foes back.Blowgun, a small ranged weapon that shoots poison darts, that quickly kill enemies by making them have a seizure and vomit their own blood before dying, and hallucination darts, which send enemies into a violent rage where they attack friend and foe alike.Kunai, a small blade that can be quickly thrown at nearby enemies to stagger them, five may be thrown at once.Black Powder Bomb, a thrown explosive that deal damage across a large area and sets fire to the area around it.Sticky Bomb, a pitch-covered explosive that sticks to an enemy before exploding, knocking them down.Smoke Bomb, an explosive filled with incense mixed with black powder that unleashes a dense cloud of smoke at Jin's feet, causing enemies to lose sight of him.Wind Chime, a small bell that creates an enticing sound when thrown, unleashes poison vapors when picked up.Firecracker, a thrown Mongolian firecracker that can attract several foes."Only thing that would make this better is a jar of Kenji's sake. But then he'd never stop talking."
Then why are you sweating?
Stone Stance, the traditional samurai stance that uses incredibly quick double handed and piercing strikes to counter sword users.Water Stance, a single handed stance that unleashes fairly quick, yet flexible strikes that seamlessly flow together to counter shield bearers.Wind Stance, a stance that focuses on far reach, high momentum, and evasion with powerful kicks and lunging strikes to counter polearm wielders.Moon Stance, a powerful stance that uses strong kicks, staggering strikes, and spinning slices to counter the toughest and largest of enemies."People look to samurai for guidance, to keep them safe, and act with honor, on and off the battlefield. I can't forget that."
You will never leave this island.
Parry, quickly ward off an attack with a counter-move, pushing the enemy away at the same time.Roll and Dodge, escaping an attack with fast footwork or a roll along the ground, roll can be used to extinguish flames.Perfect Parry, parry at the last possible second to fully open your opponent for a deadly counterattack.Perfect Dodge, dodge at the last possible moment to perform a deadly counterattack.Focused Hearing, detect nearby allies and enemies by dampening unnecessary noise, seeing where they are.Showdown, challenge up to five enemies to a deadly one-on-one showdown.Resolve Healing, use sheer resolve and will to heal some wounds.Iron Will, recover from a mortal wound with sheer resolve and will.Assassination, kill unaware enemies with a quiet and brutal stealth attack, can be used behind thin materials.Heavenly Strike, a mythical unblockable attack said to move at speeds faster than the eye could follow, striking lightning down on whatever it slices.Dance of Wrath, a mythical attack of three strikes that was said to pierce through any foes defense in an instant, and could cut down armies.Way of The Flame, a mythical move that lights the weapon aflame with a piece of a rock, but leaves the wielder unharmed. It is said the rock fell from the sky, engulfed in flames.Ghost Stance, wield the terrifying aura of the Ghost as a weapon, bringing fear upon all who witness the power. No enemy will dare fight, strike them down in one hit, and watch them run."How will people remember the Sakai name? As heroes of Tsushima, or fugitives, forgotten in the shadows?"