Blackstone Fortress
6 years ago
Ashfeld
If there was one thing Takashi wanted, it was to be remembered. He had spent the last 3 years rotting in a cell in Koto's lower city for speaking out against the Emperor of the Dawn Empire. When he was freed by his friends Ayu, Okuma and Momiji, the city was under attack by Vikings. The trio had fended off the assault, only to be attacked again by Knights of the Blackstone Legion and their fierce warlord Apollyon. Apollyon had killed the Emperor and had offered one of the Daimyos a chance to take his place. One of them, Seijuro, accepted the offer and became the new Emperor. For those who did not accept, they were either killed or put in a test to hunt and kill the other Daimyos which, unbeknownst to them, would start a civil war with the Samurai. Ayu had stopped this from happening. She and Takashi had then infiltrated the Imperial Palace and stopped Seijuro, offering him a second chance.
Takashi and Momiji then traveled to Ashfeld, home of the Knights. There, they had made an alliance with the Iron Legion and their commander, Raxon, now their "Lord Warden". Now both sides were at Apollyon's front door. Takashi had made it through the fort's defenses and was now face-to-face with Apollyon herself… "Finally," Apollyon said after noticing the Orochi. "The Dawn Empire has arrived." "Yield," Takashi said, trying to intimidate her. "Face justice." Apollyon drew her sword. "I'll pass." He drew his katana and attacked. She was stronger than he had expected, but was quicker and more agile. They blocked, parried and struck at each other as they moved through the castle. Whenever a Blackstone Knight tried to slaughter the Samurai, he would cut it down a few swift strokes. BOOM! Suddenly, a fireball from a catapult slammed into a wall, knocking Takashi off balance. He would have to exceed himself. Apollyon retreated to the walls as Takashi chased after her. "Your rot will be cleansed from this land!" he shouted. "Death waits for us all." Apollyon stated. "A warrior is someone who does not let that stop them from doing what needs to be done. Come, warrior." The two clashed again and again, dodging debris from the collapsing structure. Finally, Takashi let out a battle cry as he slashed Apollyon's chest, making her collapse.
"It's over, Apollyon." He sheathed his katana. "We will have peace." Apollyon chuckled as she gripped the railing of the castle banister. "Peace? So…what happens now?" She said weakly as she threw her sword over the edge. "You all just…go home? You came into my home. And you brought your armies. What did you think would happen? Peace? That isn't how the world works." Takashi heard a loud crashing sound and peered over the banister. Vikings were pouring into the fortress! And even worse the Iron Legion and the Dawn Empire were fighting each other and the Vikings! "Don't speak to me of your virtues." She said. "Duty. Kinship. Honor. You've forgotten what you are." Takashi's eyes widened as he realized the truth. "You want war. Only war." Apollyon laughed. "All I want is for you to admit what you are. All of you." She pointed at him. "My…wolves." She let go of the banister and collapsed. Takashi looked at the horrible scene below him. Apollyon was dead…but now a new conflict had begun.
"You know the rest." Ayu spoke, concluding her story. "Seven more years of bloody war…" Holden Cross sighed. "Apollyon played us all, one against the other." Stigandr growled. "For what?" "To weed out the weak." Holden answered. "Why did you call us here, Cross?" Ayu asked curiously. "I didn't. I was sent by the new Lord Warden. To make amends." "HOW DARE YOU?!" Stigandr roared, punching Holden in the jaw. The Viking picked up a dagger. "THOUSANDS OF MY PEOPLE, DEAD!" Holden smirked. "Well, here's your chance for vengeance." Ayu stood up. "We shared our stories, like your 'Lord Warden' requested. Now, why are we here?" Holden got to his feet, rubbing his jaw. "Peace." "Peace?" Ayu answered. Stigandr huffed. "Even if it were possible, we're no peacemakers." "Is it an unworthy goal?" Ayu asked him. "Well… no…but…" he said, unsure of how to reply. Then suddenly, he realized what this meant. "Is…this how it starts?" Holden and Ayu joined him, looking at the sunset. "It would have to start with us." Ayu announced. "We will die in this attempt. You know that." Holden told him. "But it would make a worthy tale." Stigandr answered, with both Knight, Viking and Samurai concluding their meeting. The Faction War had begun.