I honestly never expected to be chosen by the gantlet that day. Just as I never expected to see Issachar return to Kiccigiorgi without me. Why would the gantlet choose me? I kept repeating that question over and over as I watched him leave. He never turned to make eye contact with me. Never once glanced over his shoulder to see how terrible I felt watching his feet drag in defeat. After having watched him train for so long to become a Samurai, to protect our village. So why me over him? What qualities did I have to be chosen? This was something Issachar wanted more than myself and I felt I had no right to stand in the same place he was rejected from.

I was petrified when the mystic script appeared after I engaged the gantlet on my left arm. Being congratulated only worsened the pit that was forming in my stomach as Sir Hope guided me away. Why? Why?! I couldn't even turn to see if Issachar was still within the crowd. I wanted to see him. I wanted to apologize and ask for them to give him another chance. When the Rite ended, I went quiet. Had I had spoken to anyone soon after, I probably would have let my emotions get the best of me. I wanted to go after him. I wanted to reassure him that everything would be fine, but I was required to move into the Samurai barracks of Mikado Castle, unsure if I would ever be able to visit Kiccigiorgi or if I would ever see my best friend once more. Would he be okay without me? No, would I be okay without him...?

"From now on you will be dwelling here," Hope had explained. "As a member of our band, you will work on behalf of this kingdom alongside the rest of we Samurai. Though you've just been inducted, your practical training will begin tomorrow morning." With that said, he turned and walked away. Training tomorrow morning? Things certainly had progressed rather quickly. I don't remember when and I don't remember how I managed, but I feel asleep that night. My thoughts were troubled, and I couldn't help but think about the village, my family and friends that I had made there. About Issachar and how disappointing he seemed when I last saw him in the crowd.

The Samurai barracks where very different from the hut I shared with my parents. There were more dressers, a larger, proper bed and I was greeted with a change of clothes on top of the end table when I had awaken the next morning. The material felt heavier and was surprisingly tailored to fit me. There were no places that needed adjusting and, for a brief moment, I became fearful. Was this what fate had planned for me all along? I turned to stare at my village attire for what felt like an hour. Would he have made it back? No, of course not. Had I already lost track of time? More importantly, when did a person enter my room? I nearly jumped when I first acknowledged his voice.

It was one from the dreams that I had been hearing in my dreams. Dreams from the past few nights I stayed with Issachar at Lake Mikado. I turned to see a Samurai of my age with short, dark, wild hair and light colored eyes. Lilac, maybe? His uniform was altered to expose more of his chest, and he wore a lighter blue scarf around his neck. He seemed cheerful enough, but his smug grin made me a little..uncomfortable.

"Yo, so you passed the Gantlet Rite as well?"

It then made sense that he was also a Prentice. Instead of verbally responding I nodded. He then gave a whole-hearted laugh, arms crossing underneath the exposed area of his chest. "Well, I'm glad to see a fellow Casualry made it on the team! Hell, thought I would have been the only one mixed in with these Luxurors." It was then that his face seemed a little puzzled. "By the by...have we met somewhere before?"

"Possibly..." I managed to answer. It was strange hearing the sound of my own voice after hours of silence.

You'd better not forget me. Because you and me are going to make a world where anything can be changed if we have the will...

I felt myself stiffen as those words from the dream echoed in my head. I couldn't help but turn my attention away, and it seemed as if Walter didn't take much notice. He then gave a small chuckle to my response. "...No, of course we haven't." He then turned his attention away from me, very slightly, and gave a wave of his hand. "That was only a dream... I'm imagining things. Pay me no mind."

A dream? So I'm not the only one having these strange visions during the night. I nervously tugged at the white layered scarf on my neck. This couldn't be a coincidence, could it? One moment I was questioning fate and now- no, this wasn't a mere coincidence. It was then that Walter mentioned he came to make sure I was prepared for practical training. I couldn't explain to him that I was scared beyond comprehension, so I simply nodded. Who was I kidding? I knew that I should not be in that room. I should not be wearing this uniform or the gantlet! I had to keep reminding myself that in order to remember why I was there. Issachar, where are you now?... Have you told the village that I have become a Samurai?.. Hopefully they have welcomed your return and you aren't too troubled about leaving me behind...

I tried not to pay much attention to my fellow Prentices' once Walter had guided me to the Plaza, just out in front of the entrance to Naraku. A Prentice wearing a green scarf and a pompadour influenced hairstyle was throwing a fit about how nobody seemed to remember his name, and Walter gave a flirty hint to the woman wearing a red scarf. She was the first to acknowledge my silence and introduced herself to me as Isabeau. I politely introduced myself, and that gathered a response from the yellow samurai, Jonathan. One with thick, curly hair that covered his ears. The refinement in each step made it clear that he was, indeed, a Luxuror. He was slightly shorter than the other as he took a stance next to him, but he gave a surprised expression as he spoke.

"Flynn...? That's the name from my dream..." He then seemed shocked by what he said, and his smile became apologetic. "...Sorry, never mind me."

You mustn't forget that my future is with you. The two of us are going to make a world where the peace we know today lasts forever...

What future? Why was it that, in both of my dreams, Walter and Jonathan want to rely on me for the future? What did the future have to do with anything that was happening right now? It didn't make any sense...nothing was making any sense and everything was happening too quickly! Something, anything, anyone, please. Please explain to me what is going on..

Hope's orders were simple: we were to enter Naraku, with caution, and begin the initial stages of our Samurai training. He explained that we would receive further information once we were inside, so I felt it was best not to question his authority. I took one look at the iron doors that led into Naraku, the place where demons reside. Jonathan and Walter took a moment to make sure I was okay, but I explained that I was gathering my bearings before making the journey inside. Walter seemed satisfied, but I could tell that Jonathan didn't fully believe me. The others had already braved their way inside for practical training, but I couldn't help but linger behind. Going in would seal the deal on everything that had led up to that point. The dreams, the Gantlet Rite, the fact that I was a Samurai while Issachar was forced to return to the village.

With common supplies and a small amount of Macca, I finally made my way inside the entrance to Naraku.

AN: Originally published on Ao3 on May 3rd, 2014

This work takes place after the events of "On the Shores of Mikado Castle". I recently started playing SMT:IV and decided to write a fanfic based off the decisions I made and how I interpreted the events that were going on. I feel that Flynn has more emotion than what is presented within the game, so I hope I do him some justice with this fanfic.

I just wanted to quickly point out that this fanfic is influenced by the choices I made during the game. There will be some game spoilers, but there will also be parts that I have altered away from the plot / did not remember correctly shortly after playing or replaying.