No Menagerie, This Apocalypse by Adam Francis Smith

cougar encounter by Yair-Leibovich on DeviantArt.com

He needed water. The cougar swung, clawing Aaron’s shoulder, spinning him. Aaron dived down an incline, gaining his feet only to face a bison that charged. Dodging to avoid the beast, he ran. Climbing a fence, he dropped to the other side. A pair of goats attacked, kicking. Battered, he forced his way into a barn. Feeling safe, he rested. Above, an owl screeched and launched itself from an ancient beam, talons raised. He ran again and was nearly trampled by a horse, but he rolled, righted himself and finally made it to the well. Now, where was that canteen?

Without Kid Gloves by Adam Francis Smith

Gaara by Hiruka00 on DeviantArt.com

Klip ran as fast as he could, chased by the Huffing Man. The man was the leader, so Klip decided he should be first.

The boy slid beneath the porch and scrambled under the house and out the other side. The Huffing Man tried to follow but was too big and was soon stuck.

Several children bashed in his head and watched as his body quivered before becoming still. They cheered, but the celebration was short-lived.

Klip came around from the rear of the house. “Drag the body to the barn,” he ordered, “while I go get another grown-up.”

The Last Men on Earth by Adam Francis Smith

ambush by tahra on DeviantArt.com

Three of us remain: he and she and I. I want him, so I lie in wait, crouched in shadow near the only fresh-water source for miles.

The sky is as gray as the land, with a wide ellipse of turbulent crimson, dotted with darker gray — always churning.

She comes, bucket in hand, and I leap from the darkness, slashing with my scythe. Gouts of blood float in seeming slow-motion as she falls to the ground — gray on red on gray again.

I’ve won, securing for myself the second-to-last man on earth by elimination of the last woman.

Victim Victorious by Adam Francis Smith

Drowning by KarolinaNoumenon on DeviantArt.com

Gin felt the lake close over her as she bathed. Recent attacks came to mind as a hand covered her mouth. She let herself drop, and planted a solid punch into a groin. Exhaling loudly her uncle bent and she chopped his throat, her hand hard as steel. He fell forward. Gin stomped his neck and forced him under water. She kept the pressure on until he ceased flailing, then hurriedly dressed and ran home. This might be the death of her and her family, her uncle having been a powerful lord, but what was done was done.

Virtuous Weapon by Adam Francis Smith

Monk by PointLineArea on DeviantArt.com

“I am bigger,” laughed Takamasa.
“True, but answer,” Masasada slashed, nicking Takamasa’s forearm, “how does one bring down Fuji-san?”
Takamasa winced and squinted as he considered the question. He thrust his sword forward, but it was knocked aside by Masasada’s thinner blade.
Masasada struck and drew blood. Before Takamasa could react, Masasada opened up another slit on Takamasa’s arm.
Masasada smiled. “One chop at a time. You see?” He slashed again and opened Takamasa’s shoulder. Blood sprayed and Takamasa dropped to his knees.
“Patience is a virtue,” whispered Takamasa, respectfully.
Masasada thrust down and inward. “Patience is a weapon.”

Miss Fortune by Adam Francis Smith

Samurai Spirit 5 – Slasher by Artgerm on DeviantArt.com

Taneshige turned, avoiding a slash. He brought his sword around, clipping Amano’s neck, causing a fan of blood to issue forth. Taneshige ducked, but could not avoid the spray. Dripping blood, wide-eyed, showing teeth, he raised his weapon and ran through the yard. Fearless Samurai turned and fled this Hellspawn. Taneshige turned a corner and slashed at a low, black shadow. His sword slipped from his blood-slick grip and he missed his mark. It was a good thing. His master’s daughter stood before him, quaking in her sandals, her robe split by the keen, crimson blade, but her flesh unmarred.

Delayed Reaction by Rachael Mills

Preparing for Battle by F1yMordecai on DeviantArt.com

Takeko roared with exhiliration as she thrust her ko-naginata into the nearest soldier. The weapon was an extension of herself, used with deadly precision. She sliced through skin and muscle, plunging and twisting the blade with fervour, before pulling the ko-naginata free and piercing the next enemy.

Takeko stared at the five bodies strewn around her, their blood drenching the battlefield. A wave of euphoria swept over her, mingled with a numb feeling in her chest. She looked down to see a wound from a tanegashima. An excruciating burning sensation enveloped her and her world faded to black.

The Only Good Rōnin by Adam Francis Smith

Seedpaining 033110 by godofwar on DeviantArt.com

“If you do not do,” says Master, “still you have done.”
I grow tired of this. He sees me frown.
Master smiles.
I am a warrior. A Samurai.
“If you do not teach,” I smirk, “still you have taught.”
His brows come together, questioning. His head is cocked. His hand clasps my wrist and squeezes.
He holds my gaze. His thumb presses.
My blade drops and lands softly on the rushes.
“Were you a true Samurai,” he lectures, “you would have faced me fairly.”
I taste steel, then blood.
“You would be Rōnin?” he hisses.

Leading by Example by Adam Francis Smith

Daimyo by ISOTXART on DeviantArt.com

Ashikaga was tasked with eradication of the pirate threat. The Daimyo looked upon his men, weak and afraid, wide-eyed in the face of pirate-rage. He knew he must set an example. He rushed into the melee, and slashed the flesh of a burly pirate, even before his Katana had fully cleared its scabbard. The ugly brute fell to the sand as Ashikaga’s second in command stomped on his throat. The men rallied. Hands, an arm, ears and bits of flesh littered the sand, and Ashikaga was filled with pride as his Elite proved themselves and showed honor to their Daimyo.

What Plagues You by Austin Malcome

Seppuku by Rlkahwe4kl on DeviantArt.com

“You fade, Lord. Allow me to do what I must.”

“I cannot!”

“You would die in bed? It is not fitting!”

The daimyo clasped Yamatso’s hand. “I will die. It is enough.”

“Leave my husband be,” the Lady hissed.

Yamatso grimaced. “Out of respect, I have stayed my blade, oni. No more!”

His wakizashi flashed and found her stomach. The Lady screamed. Her face twisted; a snake’s tongue whipped between her fangs. Yamatso twisted the blade. She collapsed, spewing yellow blood.

The daimyo stirred. “What have you done!?”

“Now you shall recover.”

“Commit seppuku!”