A Game of Chess

Tenjia has been in his quarters with the other of his rank, all talking how they had it easy, but they didn't complain, no one wanted to guard the princess, some call her a snot-nosed brat, he ignored it but clenched his fists before he sat up and they fell silent, he slowly looked at each and everyone of them, getting out of his bed he walked to the single guard that insulted the one he respects dearly before he stood before him.

"Didn't they teach you something called respect…." He said calmly.

"And who are you." The male said, his hair reached his waist, a dark gray coloring.

"The one in charge of protecting M'lady Ritsu." Tenjia said and everyone stood quiet and watched, they knew what happened to the rebels that kidnapped her and most spread rumors that were possibly false, but still had a strange vibe to the other Elites, "Tenjia Kazatzi." He said. The other male stood up, examining him.

"So you're the hero….and it seems you come the curse lineage….black hair with some blue coloring, much more of a tint to it, and with impeccable skills with a bow, much alone with a katana, many call you demon that was summoned to protect the Princess." He said.

"Namui Gakupo, a male who has a partner that's named Kikaito, your height is only a quarter shorter than, great skills with a katana, one of the top five elite guards…" Tenjia said and Namui stared at him and nodded.

"Why yes, care for a game while we talk." He said and pulled out a board with some pieces, chess. Tenjia grabbed a seat and sat down before placing his pieces on his side of the board and looked at Namui.

"Game hosts' start." Tenjia said and watched Namui make his move before he moved his piece. "Judging by your moves, Namui, you enjoy the thrill of charging in to your enemies, caring for only one thing, to take down your targets, all while leaving your Master free from harm." He stated and smiled, "But I take a different approach to this." He said and looked at Namui as surprised as Tenjia hit him, grunting, Namui quickly got up and grabbed his katana.

"Stand down." A voice said, and Tenjia looked over and stared at a very old man, Tenjia stepped aside and bowed respectively at him, scratching his white beard, he looked at the other bowing guards and lifted his hand, "Rise my former students." He said and faced Tenjia and smiled, "Congratulations on your rescue," He began before his voice turned stren, "Don't act up or I will remove you from your duties and make you do field work."

Tenjia nodded and stood up, as did the other guards, he was about to say something when there was an explosion in the distance and the bells were rung, Tenjia quickly looked around and the old man nodded before he ran off, the other Elite's quickly left to their positions to guard their leaders. He turned around to see the village out the walls in flames, rebels marching towards the wall when the main gates were taken down, Imperial guard rushed to take on the horde of Rebels.

Tenjia quickly ran inside the palace and made his way quickly to Ritsu and burst through the door before he looked at her who covered her chest with her robe, he caught what seemed to be bandages but shrugged it off and closed the door behind him.

"We have to get you out of here, it's not safe anymore." Tenjia said and turned around to let her change, his hand at the handle of his blade and looked at the door, ready to defend the princess.

"I'm finished, but we must find father." She said and walked behind him and gently grabbed his wrist and looked up at him, giving a nod, the dark haired male and slowly opened the door and pulled out his katana and checked both side before taking her hand and made his way out the room and walked down the hall, towards the main throne room. He could hear the sounds of fighting outside and maybe even inside the palace, he wasn't sure but kept Ritsu close and opened the throne room doors.

Guard pointed their weapons at him but put them own as Ritsu walked in and ran over to her father and his advisors. Tenjia turned around and heard the fighting getting closer, drew his weapon, he readied himself. Right before he could speak, the door were busted open and rebels began to flood in, Tenjia watched as the tried to separate him from the Emperor and others, he wasn't going to allow that, running towards the throne, he parried some attacks, before turning and facing two soldiers, one of the two ran at him, screaming and having his sword raised before Tenjia side stepped and elbowed his back, making him stumble and the second ran at him, aiming his weapon to his side before another blade stopped the attack.

Namui kicked the rebel and stood beside Tenjia, he watched some more elites join in and he looked at Tenjia, giving each other a nod, they ran to help out, blocking and having to deal with pesky, semi-trained men.

"Never thought to see you here." Namui said with amusement, only having a huff as a response, "Cheer up." He mumbled and the two ran at the rebels, Tenjia shoving his blade into the chest, grabbing his dagger and throwing it, catching another in the neck before he could attack Namui.

"Keep watch on your back." Tenjia said and looked over to see a guard get overtaken, breaking through, he ran towards the throne, his blade cutting through flesh as he quickly stood in between Ritsu and her father, and stared down at a group and held his weapon ready before his teacher stepped beside him and raised his hand.

"Take the princess and head south." He said and took out his long sword, "Quickly, we'll hold them off, don't argue." He said and took his cloak off and revealed his armor and Tenjia nodded before he turned and grabbed Ritsu's hand before he began to run.

"W-Wait!?" She said and looked over to her father who took off his own robe and had amor similar to the teacher. "Tenjia!? Don't!" She yelled and looked at him, his face had no emotion, but all the time they've been together, she knew, he was regretting this.

"It was a pleasure in knowing you." The Emperor said and raised his blade and stared ahead at the men. "Zaio."

"The pleasure is mine." Zaio said and the two became ready. "Namui, Go, and help Tenjia." He said and the male looked over and nodded before he slashed another Rebel and ran off, the same way Tenjia and Ritsu went, turning around, he saw that they became overwhelmed.

"..." He was going to stop but didn't, he needed to do what he was told. Running through the walls, he saw that the floor was littered with dead soldiers and rebels, it was a bloodbath and Namui stopped when he looked around for the duo when he saw Ritsu's hair from a distance and began to run, "Tenjia! Lady Ritsu!" He called out. Namui growled and kept running after.

Tenjia slashed and parried attacks as he ran through with Ritsu, holding her hand tight and he stopped by a door and placed her behind him and held his blade ready and watching a group of enemies make their way slowly towards them. He looked over his shoulder at Ritsu and held her hand before turning over to face the enemies and took in a deep breath and watched as Namui went behind them and killed two before Tenjia helped, impaling one in the chest, kicking another beside him before the last Rebel fought with Namui, their blades clashing as Tenjia pushed away a body.

The stunned enemy ran at Tenjia, yelling before a dagger caught his side of the head and Tenjia looked over and Ritsu had her arm out, in a throwing position as she looked afraid and slowly looked at him before he heard a thump and Namui sheathed his blade and looked at them both.

"We must hurry and leave, The Emperor and Sensei said so…." He said and Ritsu was about to tell them to go back but was hugged by Tenjia, she stood there in the embrace and looked away, hugging him back. "There are more Rebels coming...I'll go forward." He said and made his way through the door. Their journey was going to be a very long one.