The Origin of the Jikininki
Cadmus, once hailed as a valiant and esteemed warrior in the kingdom of the Shire, had dedicated his life to protecting his people from any harm that threatened their safety. Fearlessly, he fought battles and faced adversaries, always putting the needs of his fellow townspeople above his own. However, as time went by, Cadmus couldn’t help but notice the self-centered and avaricious nature of those he had sworn to defend. They would readily seek his assistance, yet never extend a hand in return. This lack of gratitude and appreciation began to gnaw at Cadmus, gradually filling him with a deep-seated resentment and bitterness towards the very people he had once fought so fiercely to safeguard.
One fateful day, destiny led Cadmus to confront a formidable enemy on the battlefield. Despite his unwavering determination, he found himself overpowered and left for dead. As he lay there, his body battered and bleeding, he couldn’t help but curse the Shire people for their ingratitude and selfishness. In that moment of despair, a sinister and malevolent force seized hold of Cadmus, twisting his once noble soul into something dark and vengeful.
While lying in his weakened state, a group of wandering monks stumbled upon Cadmus. Moved by pity for his wretched condition, they took it upon themselves to nurse him back to health. However, as the days turned into weeks, the monks began to notice a peculiar change in Cadmus. He no longer appeared entirely human, and his eyes held a haunted and tormented gaze. It was then that they realized the darkness that had consumed him had transformed him into a jikininki—a cursed and restless spirit that fed on the flesh of humans.
Initially, Cadmus fought against the insatiable urges that plagued him, desperately trying to resist the darkness within. Yet, the malevolence that had taken root in his soul proved too overpowering. He became a terror to the people of the Shire, lurking in the shadows of the night and leaving behind nothing but fear and devastation. The once proud and honorable warrior had been transformed into a monstrous being, driven solely by his deep-seated hatred for those who had betrayed him.
Cadmus addressed his anguished spirit, pondering, “What purpose remains for the commoners? They have consistently forsaken me whenever I sought their aid, despite my unwavering commitment to assist and serve them!”
“May their bodies decay while I, in this moment of exquisite delight, feast upon their apprehensions, vowing to forever harbor my disdain towards them!”
In this moment of introspection, Cadmus found solace in the notion of their flesh decaying, mirroring the decay of their loyalty towards him. As he savored the exquisite sensation of consuming their fears, he vowed to never relinquish his deep-seated resentment towards them. Their treachery had ignited a fire within him, fueling his determination to hold onto his animosity, like a prized possession that he would never let slip from his grasp.
Secluded within the depths of his murky abyss of deceit, Cadmus persisted in devising his grand scheme of retribution. Cut off from the world, he reveled in the solitude that allowed his sinister thoughts to flourish. With every passing moment, his determination grew stronger, fueled by the darkness that enveloped him. In this clandestine sanctuary, he meticulously crafted his plan, ensuring that every detail was flawlessly executed. As the days turned into weeks, his isolation only fueled his resolve, transforming his slimy pit into a breeding ground for his malevolent aspirations.
On a fateful day, a youthful pair strolled aimlessly in the vicinity of Cadmus’ desolate dwelling, blissfully ignorant of the impending doom that awaited them. Suddenly, piercing cries filled the air, resonating with the gruesome sight of dismembered limbs strewn haphazardly, while Cadmus indulged in the grotesque feast of their engorged entrails. Amidst this macabre spectacle, his chilling chant echoed relentlessly, foretelling a sinister prophecy, “A plentiful harvest awaits, for there shall be an abundance of victims!”
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