Legacy Chapter One
Story by twilightiger on SoFurry
Taking place in a not so distant future Legacy is a psychological science fiction thriller set against a backdrop of Neo-noir corporate futurism and transhuman ethics with a healthy dose of existential nihilism thrown into the mix. And hey, if you enjoy my work and would like to see more of it then consider becoming a supporter on Patreon, the link can be found here. http://patreon.com/user?u=3705901
Born into the shadows of human prosperity, in an age when the balance between nature's will and mankind's desires have begun to break down; alone, one warrior steps out into the endless night. Pursuing justice borne for the sake of vengeance, his path is a bloodstained legacy crossing the boundaries of space and time.
This, then, is his story.
Act one: King me
No society in history has ever tried to accommodate the evolutionary drives of its people the way that chimeras have. From the moment they are born they are educated, engaged in the tasks that will shape their future course through life, and are generally accepting of any and all wants and needs regardless of negative public perception.
So what can we as human beings draw from this? That for too long, we have allowed our own instincts to run unchecked. That without trying to understand why we act the way that we do, we have shaped entire generations of young minds according to the ancient modes of thinking that do little to serve anyone in todays more modern times.
So unless we can create new ways of thinking, or barring that, a system that will actually seek to understand the charges in its care, rather then one that attempts to mold them to fit societies shape, future generations will continue to fail in their attempts at adapting to the needs of an ever changing world, and we as humans can ill afford a race of people who are unable to do so.
~~ Evolutionary Enemies
Why chimeras are our rivals, and not our partners.
Chapter One : It all begins from here.
“Again.” Morishita's voice carried over the crack of the wooden swords. The iron tone of authority in his voice making it clear who was in charge.
The two fighters in the practice ring, one human, one chimera, began moving through an intricate series of steps, their swords snaking out, seeking the gaps in the other's defenses. Though both had been his students for almost twelve years, Kato had steadily increased in skill to become the superior swordsman, but being a chimera, he knew almost instinctively that against a human opponent, he wouldn't be allowed to win.
He was holding back. A fact that his opponent had yet to catch on too.
Johnathan King, a young man made in the very image of his father, cast his sword aside in disgust. “I don't see why I have to learn any of this.” Removing his face guard he added. “Sword fighting, philosophy, culture. It's all so, so useless.” While it was an old argument, it was one that he enjoyed using almost daily.
To Johnathan, it was something of a game. He enjoyed seeing how far he could push his tutors before they finally gave up and quit. He smiled, waiting for the inevitable outburst that would give him the power to demand the old man be fired.
Willing himself to be patient, Morishita adopted a tone that one would use to lecture an unruly child. “You are the heir to the illustrious King family. Your honored father holds a seat on the Board of Directors at Exotica Geno-Works. When,” And he held up a finger to further make his point. “He chooses to retire, you will be expected to take his place. Until then, you will learn everything that he wishes you to.”
Scowling at Morishita, Johnathan rolled his eyes in disgust. He hated when people didn't rise to the bait. Almost as much as he hated being forced to admit that they were right. “I know that.” He said. “But what I don't understand is,” He pointed at Kato, who until that very moment had been doing his level best to go unnoticed. “Why bother teaching him.”
“You need a sparring partner,” Morishita's wizened face was suddenly split by a wicked grin. “And wooden practice dummies do not strike back.” Holding up a hand to forestall any possible future arguments he said. “And besides, as your bodyguard, Kato is expected to be able to protect you at all times, regardless of the circumstances.” Handing Johnathan the discarded sword he said. “Now. Again.”
After another three hours of intensive sword practice in which he was kept too busy to actually complain, Morishita had finally given Johnathan permission to join up with some friends before his next lesson, leaving him time alone with Kato to clean up the mess that had been left behind.
A set of metal tonfa, a prized katana that had seen better days, along with a dozen other various pieces of weapons and armor, all had been left scattered about the room. Their all but forsaken presence served as a mute testament to Johnathan King's often erratic temper.
Picking up the discarded katana, Kato stared into the depths of the steel. Seeing reflected in its surface the deep, almost otherworldly blue of his own feline eyes, there was a part of him that longed to understand his origins, his place in a world that seemed to care nothing for his kind. Banishing such thoughts to a dark corner of his mind, He returned the sword to its lacquered sheath and placed it back where it belonged. His place was at Johnathan's side, doing the job he had been trained to do.
“Humans don't think much of me, do they Sensei.” He said at last.
Returning the wooden plaque that contained his own family's motto to its rightful place above the door, Morishita said. “That is because they underestimate you.”
“And you don't?” Said Kato, his tail swinging back and forth happily. Over the years He had come to enjoy the old man's company, since often were the times when Morishita had served him as both a mentor and a friend. A rare thing for any chimera to have.
“Ah, but you must remember, I have had the honor of watching you grow. And in spite of the harsh indifference you have received at the hands of your foster family, you've retained a sense of understanding and compassion for others. Yours is a rare and remarkable spirit.”
Kato swelled with pride. Rarely did Morishita give any sort of praise.
Morishita shook his head as he allowed himself to think of things that could have been. “A pity that you were not the one born as the heir to the King family. A man such as you might have brought some much needed change to this world of ours.”
For the briefest of moments, Kato started to wonder just what it was that Morishita had meant. Because as far as he knew, a chimera was the property of his master, anything that they might do or say belonged to the one who owned him. And with the way that things stood today, chimeras didn't even have the right to choose their own names. So how was someone like him supposed to be able to change anything?
Preferring to exist in a world where he didn't ask himself such questions, simply because it was easier then having to live with the answer, Kato started picking at a loose piece of thread that was hanging from his jacket sleeve as he made a determined effort to study the tatami mats spread out on the floor. “Sensei,” He said. “I have been allowed some leisure time tonight, and I was wondering if, that is . . . if you aren't already busy.” He looked up hopefully. “We might be able to finish our game of Go?”
Having all but forgotten about his promise to teach Kato the ways of the ancient game, Morishita's brown eyes blazed at the prospect of the challenge. “I will look forward to it.”
Only the slightest twitching of his tail betrayed his own eagerness. “Good, because this time, I fully intend to win.”
Seeing the seriousness that Kato so often hid behind a mask of stoic indifference light up his face, Morishita couldn't help but laugh. “Ha! The tiger is barely more then a cub, and he's cocky already. I like that. Well, we'll just have to see how well your youth holds up to my experience. It will be a good match.” Patting Kato on the back he added. “I will finish here. Now, go and catch up with Johnathan, before that brat manages to get himself into too much trouble.”
Knowing that all he needed was an excuse, Kato had already managed to make it halfway across the room when Morishita spoke. “And Kato.”
Pausing in mid-step, his ears tilted back, he waited patiently for Morishita to finish “Next time, don't let him win so easily. That boy could stand to learn some humility.”