VII: Sai
"Commander Sai!" The stricken messenger ran to the man. "The Huns have cut off our main force at the pass!" He gasped for breath, "They are aided by the strange black beasts with golden eyes!"
"Go, you need rest." Sai dismissed the exhausted man. "Soldiers, prepare to move camp!" His command carried through the mountain fissure where his branch of the army stopped to recover from the latest battle. The Huns and their new allies were wreaking havoc on China's front lines. Sai retreated to his tent, packing maps, letters, and tools into the saddlebags. His father's sword leaned against on of the tent poles. Hefting the blade, he admired the massive weapon for the umpteenth time. A masterpiece of forgery, the blade was easily twice the width and thickness of a common soldier's. The kanji for moon had been etched into the metal above the guard. The crossed scars between his eyes throbbed as he remembered the battle where he had acquired the blade, and his father was killed by one of the black beasts. His father had fallen, and he had snatched up the blade and hewn through a dozen men before receiving the cuts that now marred his face. Needing the cold mountain air, he pushed the tent flap aside and stepped out into the snow.
Soon after, panicked yells echoed from the improvised sentry points at the mouth of the fissure. A dozen of the beasts charged around the curve of the canyon, appearing to be both man and horse, bearing jagged spears. A wave of hatred washed over Sai's mind as he recklessly ran towards the assailants with the monster sword held high. It was often said among the soldiers that only time or death would bring the commander out of a state of bezerk fury. Gouging the side of the first horse-beast, he twisted to parry a slash from another. He was surrounded by the creatures now, blocking jabs and swings from every angle. One beast behind him finally utilized an opening, putting all its weight behind a thrust aimed at Sai's back. The spearhead punched straight through the armor, coming out straight out the other side. The beats triumphantly lifted the still-living man above its head. Blood ran down the shaft of the spear, staining the thing's hands, dripping to pool in the snow. A faint glow emitted from where the spearhead jutted from his chest, and a small pink orb separated from the commander's body. He watched it soar skywards as darkness claimed his vision.
Siax bolted upright, sheets slipping to pool in his lap. Fiery pain lanced through his skull, complimented by the familiar ache from the void that once held his heart. Clutching his head and doubled over in pain, he didn't feel tears streaming down his face. He struggled to remember the dream, which only caused more pain. A scream of anguish escaped his lips, echoing through half the castle. Blinded by agony, a shadow entered the room unnoticed. Sitting beside Siax on the edge of the mattress, the figure reached out a hand to caress the other's cheek.
"The first weeks were always the most painful" The slowly spoken words cut through the haze of pain. As the blue-haired man's senses cleared, his visitor left, leaving him to fall back into a dreamless sleep.