THE GATHERING SWORD

PROLOGUE

It didn't make sense as of why the war began, but that is always how politics has been. I never truly understood how you could sit around all day and do try to debate what we should do about being attacked. As for me I chose to rebel against the democracy that has now become an empire. I chose to unite all that I could to free us from this evil that has occurred. Gathering them with a sword… But let's begin this story from the beginning...

It was about a year ago when this war began. I was a farmer that worked in the field of the lord of the land. I was the only worker still working hard in the field. The city was built on top of a hill, well a hole on top of the hill, a hill-valley? I don't really know what you would prefer to call it but that's where it was built. It was a soldier colony for the one free republic, which is where I was placed to provide food for them. I had no problem with it seeing as they protected our small village, and I got to know many people that were a part of the effort. But that horrific day, when the imperials attacked, my life changed forever.

I was plowing a field on the east side when a soldier came to me and started to ask me too many questions. I decided that he was not worth my time so I turned back to plowing. But as I prepared to push out he pulled out a gun and shot me in the leg. I immediately fell to the ground unconscious; I woke up what in most people's mind would be the deepest part of hell possible. I awoke, still on the ground where I had been shot, wearily got up and limped back to the colony which was in ruins. I decided that if there was anyone there I would still have an obligation to protect them. But as I entered the gate I fell and began to puke. So… so much bloodshed… And the solders… my friends… all dead… hanged, decapitated, or just killed in battle… No one not even women or children were spared. All I felt from there was pure hatred and anger for the imperialists… "Those bastards," I said, "Those bastards are going to pay!"

I grabbed a sword from one of the fallen soldiers and continued on into the town. Nothing but death and sorrow, and then I heard them, soldiers laughing and a girl screaming. I ran as fast as I could on a limp leg. The soldiers had caught this girl who must have tried to run when she thought it was safe. I had no idea what they were going to do to her, but I knew I had to stop them at all cost. I walked to the outskirts of their fire and shouted "YOU DARE HARM A POOR WOMAN WHO HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS WAR! YOU ARE GOING TO PAY FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE YOU BASTARDS!" It seemed like a dream as I ran into their camp, they surrounded me and decided who was going to try and kill me. The first one ran at me and our swords clashed mid air. He was surprised that I didn't cower in fear. I punched him in the gut, stabbed the sword I had in him and took his sword.

"Unreal, how'd a little brat like him kill Ninju?" said one of the soldiers, "You're gonna pay!" He charged full force at me and received the end of my blade in his gut. He shook a bit and then fell to the ground as well.

"Susaki!" another guard exclaimed. "I'm going to…"

"Are you going to talk? Or are you going to actually kill me!" I interrupted.

"This guy aint right, he's got the look of a killer. But how is he standing after a shot like that to the leg?!?"

"Fine if you won't charge I will…" We proceeded to battle once more and like the others he fell quickly also. Then two attempted to attack me. One I dodged but the other cut my back. It hurt but I knew that if I fell now they would kill me like the rest of the village. I used the cut to my advantage as I howled in anger. I ran at them and the both fell in one slash. As they fell the rest of the guards panicked and ran.

I went over to the girl who was lying on the ground. She was a year or so younger than I was long flowing brown hair. But instead of a dress like most women wear she wore leather padded pants, a cotton shirt, and a set of fingerless brown gloves to match her pants. I picked her up in my arms and I went to see if the town doctor, Dr. Kizah, was still alive.

I went to his office at the end of town and began to yell his name. "Dr. Kizah? Kizah are you still alive? Dr. Kizah?!?"

I heard some noise under some debree, Kizah's semi bald and white haired head popped out to greet me. "Are they gone?" he asked.

"I think so" I replied. "I'll scout out in a minute but you may want to check her out, I saved her from the imperialists but I…"

"Lilly! Oh Lilly! Thank God that you are still alive! Thank you mister, I didn't think I could live without my granddaughter." Kizah gratefully thanked me. "She'll be alright now… I don't see any bumps and bruises on herrroly cow. Mister let me see your leg. Good night you're back is in bad shape too. I need to fix you up before you do anymore."

I didn't complain until the doctor had his knife in my skin, but at least things were going to heal up. After a week of recovery I went in exile away from the other two survivors and trained with various weapons to prepare for the coming war. That's how my story began, nothing to my name as I start my journey to Enapt.

My name is Aramil Athmar, and this is my journey…