The Viper's Successor

by Somsiddha Deb Saha

  23 years ago…

  “They were so brave, Baba?”

  “Their mettle and grit knew no bounds. The persistence and perseverance will be inscribed in gold in the history of valorous warriors forever. In late 1100AD Minamoto and Taira, two formidable warrior clans challenged the Japanese government to usurp the whole country. Minamoto gained victory, thus started the era of those warriors. They lived like “Bushido” -Way of a warrior, lived an exemplary life abstaining from all the luxuries, vowed to protect the community and chivalry. They ruled for over 700 years.”

  “You know Baba, today at school some seniors were bullying me. Dada protected me from them. Dada is also like those warriors, Baba?”

  “Yes, my child and someday you’ll be like them too. Always stand for those who are in need.”

  “Baba, you didn’t finish the story. What’s next?”

  “Previously they were employed by feudal lords called Damiyo to act as their bodyguards and to defeat enemies and hostile threat identified by the government. For their living, barracks and castles were made. Just like today’s world guilds with political power started seizing the other fleets. Thus from 12th century under the reign of Minamoto no Yurimoto, the Kamakura period started. The warriors were guided and supervised by a Shogun, like a colonel or lieutenant in modern days.”

  “Wow, the warriors didn’t care about anyone?”

  “Being phlegmatic, they honour those who deserve to. Many of them came from Kanto region of Japan and developed the fighting skills against the Emishi tribes of north. From that they developed a code which kept themselves unique from their Shogun and other fighters. They used to boast about their past victories riding on a horse, visiting every villages, and later they used banners.”

  “All of them wear armours and kill the enemies with swords, Baba?”

  “No dear, they had a definite system of hierarchy, based on skillsets and efficacy. They were divided into three principal ranks. The Gokenin belonged to the lowest ranks. They were housemen and vassals of a feudal lord. Succeeding them were the rustic warrior or Goshi. Unlike Gokenin, they were at cadet rank and could not use two swords until they reach the elite rank. The predominant who used to put a substantial impact of the true warriors were Hatamoto, belonged to the highest rank. The bannermen I told you about, they were these warriors. They were emotionless and sacrificed their life to protect the landlord’s interests.”

  “They didn’t fear to die, it’s so courageous Baba!”

  “Yes, and they also had their trustworthy henchmen, who were called Baishin. Most of them used to reap crops on lands owned by landlords. They comprise of 5-6% of the total population in Japan, roughly 18 million in total in 1600.”

  “I have seen one armour of them at a museum. They used to wear such heavy armours?”

  “Those, made of metal plates and iron stitching, portrays a Warriors rank, division, and their home region. The badges of their valour, the painted symbols were associated with their family or military houses called Buke. Dragonflies were painted as a symbol.

  “But why dragonflies, Baba?”

  “Because the insect cannot fly backwards. It emphasizes the unwithering guts of them. But contrary to that the perjury of some resulted in violation, villages were burned. They were defeated and slaughtered. Out of allegiance, they were motivated financially. But sometimes out of outrageous ostentations, they collected severed heads of victims as trophies. Some of them also switched sides out of conspiracy in mid battle at the Battle of Sekigahara during the year 1600. As prohibitions and regulatory framework were bestowed by the Tokugawa Shogunate, they enjoyed the impunity to kill anyone of lower rank.”

  “So, they were undefeatable and could not be captured?”

  “They fight till the last breath and kill themselves to avoid being ensnared. To honour their culture, they don’t accept the feudalism and servitude of the enemy. This was called Seppuku. Stomach were disemboweled as their belief was it was the source of soul not the heart. When they were captured inspite of succumbing, the warrior decked on a white robe, as the symbol of purity slashes his abdomen with blade. Decapitation was also done called Kaishakunin. Protegees of the head to retain the honor also resorted to “death by following” known as Junshi. Go to sleep Shona, you have school tomorrow,”

  “But Baba what happened to them now? Don’t they have any successors to carry the legacy?”

  “Aren’t you sleepy, dear?”

  “Yes, but it’s so exciting. Please tell me what happened to them?”

  “The importance significantly mitigated because of the reforms and new policies of Tokugawa Shogunate. The 15th and 16th century were chaotic in Japan. The egalitarian consuetudes were reformed putting them at the top of the hierarchy followed by the subordinates and merchants, farmers and artisans. Casteism and untouchability was intense. Some warriors were vicious in cases where theres any entourage of foreign inhabitants. They had an obscene act called Tsujigiri, means cutting down at crossroads. To test their blades are still sharp or not they used to behead the European visitors. Then during the last 250 years of Edo period, when peace and tranquillity prevails among Japan, need for martial arts and skills were considered negligible. Some of them became teachers, musicians and the cult became diaphanous. This continued for half a century and they consecutively enjoyed the opulence of Shi, a social rank. Being amidst common, they still enjoyed the top hierarchical position of Shi-No-Ko-Sho ranking system. As a patriot they have even participated in World war 2 as he honorary Shizoku title. The legacy became obsolete, but they, even today are an inspiration to the whole world.”

  “I will also be a warrior someday and save the world! YAAH-HOO!”

  “You are a warrior, Shona. The way you take care of Dada in my absence of mine makes you one. Dont ever leave Dada. Always be by his side. I have seen he cries alone at night since the day his mother demised.”

  “But Ma takes care of him toh. She also loves him like his own son.”

  “Yes, she does, but there are some inexpressible feelings that he could share with you only. Perhaps you can extenuate him.”

  “I love my Dada, and I love you and Ma too. Good night Baba!”

  “Rony beta?” He turned on the light.

  “Yes, Papaji?”

  “You haven’t slept yet? Concerned about something?”

  “Naah, Just a bit nervous about tomorrows exams.”

  “Don’t lie to me, dear, Im your dad. I know you still cannot preclude from that incident. Ive lost her too and my heart shatters into pieces every time when I think about her.”

  “But Papaji, you have moved on. Mothers love cannot be substituted by someone else.”

  “Don’t say that, my child, she loves you like her own. She was my Lab assistant and had a palpable fondness towards me. When she heard the news shes the only one took me out from that traumatic holocaust. She nurtured and pampered both of you beside abiding her duty at lab.”

  “I didn’t say I hate her Papaji; but one part of my life is scarred forever.”

  “Time heals all wounds, Rony. Don’t you ever feel yourself alienated, we are all standing beside you, we all are with you in this journey. Go to sleep, it’s almost 1am. And speaking about exams, both of you are champs.”

  “Thanks, Papaji. Good night.”

  “Good night, Rony beta.”

  Hello, again!

  Location: Pavia, Italy

  Time: 7:35pm

  Another attempt of explosion was mitigated today at Ponte Coperto bridge this morning. Amidst the hustles and bustles, some unidentified American was in pursuit and socked the suspected bomb-carrier off the bridge, resulting in gushing waves, leaving some minor damages on the bridge. No citizens or tourists found injured. Police are investigating the location and still no report of that American in existence has been found. The Italian government heralds a press conference on friday at 12pm calling delegates of all 195 nations. The perils of Mumbai Blast is still fresh, ingeminating
todays pernicious situation, it’s a moment of reckoning.

  Sidius turned off the TV. He was having a deep thought about something.

  “Hudson will be contacting with us via video conference tonight. He seemed a bit positive about our mission reports, but whatever you guys have done was insane. Totally guys” Armun was excited.

  “Weve kept an eye on the conference. Theyre planning to buy an island where they could dump and research on all the radioactive wastes and zombie corpses.”

  “Zombie corpses are still available?” Sam asked surprisingly.

  “Not only zombie corpses are available at black markets” Sidius continued, “Lucy was telling that day, according to a recent news they’ve got, a harvesting of a bug started from rotten brains of zombies have started at the outskirts of Asia Pacific region. No possible functions of these bugs have been analysed and known except these parasites are invincible to fire and disinfectant sprays and survives in extreme heat. They are vulnerable to lack of oxygen. Investigations are still on but no exact news are available yet.”

  “Good heavens!” Sam was pale. He finished the whole bottle of water at once.

  Navan got out of the hotel after a few minutes. He was having a moment of kenopsia, staring at the streets. Just a few hours ago the city was busy, people was chasing their aspirations. He couldn’t stay at the hotel and was unmindful. Thousands of missing links were bugging him. He questioned himself, but it was like painting in the dark. Who the voice on call? What mission was he talking about? Why he’s creating suicide bombers? Lucy really was the fiancée of Adik? Why is she so concerned about Navan?

  Flummoxed in these questions, he was taking an evening stroll. His phone vibrated.

  “So, Mr Navan, do you believe in God?” That blood-curdling voice chortled.

  Navan was silent for a moment. “listen whoever the hell you are, soon the world will celebrate on your death day.”

  “Answer my question first!” Strangely calm and composed the voice was.

  Navan remained silent.

  “God is someone who exists in your belief. An immortal, invincible and indestructible entity who people thinks ,stands for right and against wrong. Theologically a God should not act upon the morale of what is right or what brings disaster. But have you seen god with your own eyes, Mr. Navan? Still you visit temples, mosques and churches as you believe gods existence in there. Now if tomorrow an individual appears to be of four hands or eight hands, will the society accept him as a creator of heaven and earth? Or a mutated human with a beast’s head, or someone who’s skin color is different? What proof does you have that whatever you worship are not the benefactor but some extra-terrestrial beings? So Mr, Navan are you an atheist or a bigot?”

  Navan was rushing towards hotel to seek some evidence about the call. Sam might put a frequency for decryption from his cell and Sidius and Armun also need to listen.

  “Not a chance, Mr Navan, neither you cannot record my voice nor can find me. And how will you? Im ubiquitous. Im everywhere. Im the master of my fate,Im the captain of my soul. Fate of my death is not in the hands of earthlings.”

  “SO YOU CALL YOURSELF A GOD? Gods don’t perform such ghastly cataclysms. And you only said he stand against all wrong. What are you a Hypocrite?”

  “AHAHAHAHA…Im just a human like you and Ive seen god with my own eyes, not in your churches and temples, he was amidst us. When god created man he gave him free will. There was one compliance, not to eat the apple of wisdom, but you unruly wretches suffered from inferiority complex and could not resist yourself! If men have not sinned death would not have entered in earth and you will be no less than an angel! You could’ve pranced in heavens abode, but…but sins seemed to be more fruitful for you. How disappointing this society is you understand? You blame society for the rampant atrocities, mob lynching, terrorism, political propaganda, social unrests but you people are a compendium of society!!!”

  “Your philosophical words won’t soften me. Someone someday will kill you if its not me.”

  “Seek and you shall find. Bye for now Mr.Navan.”

  6 years back…

  No one stays good in this world. No one. People are perfidious, even sometimes, the close ones. He wept all night. His eyes were swollen after being exposed to the truth. Is this what god have written as an anecdote of his life? A black spot on white? A drop of lemon in milk? An catastrophe in contentment? Is he the black cat of this family? A detestful truth have to be laden by him for the rest of the life? Failure is such Pompous?

  He realised that no one is there to for abatement. No one is there to pat his back saying, “get up on your feet young man! we have miles to run! We believe you can do it!”

  Wish he could fly back in time to rectify the past, prevent him from choosing this path. The enouement is irrelevant now. He moved on after that incident, but it took time. Budging with that burden pays no price, he finally understood that. But this was totally unanticipated in his wildest dreams. Just because some contentions with a company made him took this decision? All he wanted to have a rapturous life, an unconditional bonding. Fate besmirched, disparaged, defamed his desire. He had some trepidations, after receiving no messages, no phone calls, no facetimes from him. The year 2020 was seriously mournful. He lost his mother, all of a sudden leaving his brother, he left giving excuses of his research. His brother too left for higher studies as per his statement on phone, before he left. Amidst missions he could not met his brother and he too, disrupted all contacts with him. Clocks hands tick-tocked and contacts from both of them faded away like camphor. He kept himself rejuvenated by saying they might be busy in their work. All these years it was him? Acting as an outlaw? Or really an outlaw?

  Then the Zombie Apocalypse took place. He tried to contact between his missions but got no response from then other side. Are they alive? Are they taking ample protections? Are they secured? Where are they now?

  The world in front of his eyes glitched and he blacked out; after receiving the intel. “This is just a dream; this is not happening!” He squealed in despair. This Visage is not his cup of tea no, no, a protector should not execute, specially who inspires to live. He wriggled and wiggled in despondency, the mundane and blissful moments of life appearing in front of his eyes, the school life, the hostel life, Sundays long drive, trip to hometown, the bereavement of losing her bemoaned him.

  Who is he in this vast galaxy? No one. No one will care about him anymore, everyone will be least bothered about his presence,no one will be concerned for his hues at night. He’s so alone now,his frequent visit to his birthplace is redundant.

  “Har kar jeetne wale ko Baazigar kehte hai” this dialogue of a famous Bollywood film is instigating him continuously to proceed. But who achieved triumph ultimately? His intentions? Or their objectives? Or its better to rule in hell than to serve in heaven was what he wanted? Are they envious? Doing it out of greed? Or a rabid wrath to spew the morale?

  Dereliction of duty is something he despises, so he made up his mind for one last confrontation. One moment could change everything, that all these years failed to.

  A new hope?

  Location: Unknown

  Time: 8:13am

  “Navan, wake up Navan!” Armun pushed him. He woke up at wee hours and was going through newsfeed.

  “Check this out” Armun chromecasted the video to screen. Sidius and Sam entered the room with a cup of coffee.

  “An amazing breakthrough has just been announced by Mr. Fulkan Kane, CEO of Adage industries regarding the pestilence of Zombie Apocalypse. Vaccines and cure of Dermatoxia have been invented by Adage pharmaceuticals and is yet to be distributed among the common. Mr. Fulkan tweeted, Next week will be the official launch of this vaccine and sufficient techno drones will be in operation to emanate across nations. But unfortunately, only the rich could afford one as he gave a queer hint that the prices will be too high for middle classes. For more information, stay updated.”

  “This Fulkan Kane is a sn
arky businessman, as his petroleum venture, he started for some few years is not doing good these days, thus he’s duping the nation by this.” Sidius commented.

  “That guys an asshole. He can go to any bounds for his privileges.” Armun seemed grumpy. Sam was still watching other news, by the time Navan mumbled “Fulkan loved me like his own son.”

  “W-WHAT?” The room had a pin-drop silence. Everyone was staring at Navan.