I woke up to the sound of trumpets. It wasn't the usual sound they make to wake everyone up, but I didn't pay attention as to why it was so. I opened my eyes slightly, and looked towards the opening of my tent, expecting to see the faint hint of light I usually see when awakened. But it was still dark outside, with no signs of light but the torches outside.
As I exited the tent, I began to realize that my skull felt as if it was caving in on itself. I grabbed my forehead with my right hand, while I tried to stabilize my breathing. I collapsed on my knees as my eyesight blurred and my ears rang. What was wrong with me? I don't remember anything unusual that could've caused this. I caught sight of the nurses rushing towards me before my body gave up, and I collapsed on the dirt.
"He's waking up! Someone bring him some water!" My eyes opened groggily as a faint blur transformed to a young lady in front of me. I looked around slowly as to where I was, but just thinking about simple things made my head spin again. As soon as another lady arrived with a bowl of water, she grabbed it hastily and helped me up. She had a worried look in her eyes that made it seem like she carried the world's problems.
"You were lucky we found you just in time." She whispered softly as she poured the water inside my mouth. What did she mean by this? What happened to me, anyway? My mind was flooded with questions, which made my head suffer once more. After gathering enough energy to sit up, she began to explain everything that has happened.
"A saboteur arrived in the camp at dawn with a blowdart. He entered the generals' tents and began to poison them in their sleep. Luckily, the Poliwraths on night duty saw him and alerted the whole camp with the trumpets. Before he was captured, the saboteur spread toxic spikes all over the camp as a final act of sabotage. You stepped on one as you exited your tent."
"So the saboteur was captured?"
"Of course! They're holding him in the Exexution Chamber right n-"
I limped out of the nurses' tent quickly, ignoring her plea for me to come back and rest. I can't let them kill this man; not now, not ever. Death is a luxury for men like him. As I walked towards my destination, I realized that the camp was empty aside from injured samurais. Could it be that they have gone to battle without official generals? I hoped for the best, but I expected the worst. I just hoped that Arceus will protect my people this day.
The chamber where they held prisoners was nothing but a set of portable metal cages, normally carried around by a group of Mamoswines during transport. Around each row of cages were a group of approximately 8 Electivires, with one guarding their own cage. I found the saboteur immediately when I saw 4 Electivires guarding the same cage. I nodded at them, and they stood out of the way as commanded.
The man was in ripped robes, with a torn back from whippings. His two arms were chained to the cage, making him slump lifelessly with his head facing the ground. His wiry long hair covered his eyes, but I could plainly see the grin on his face. "Is this all a game to you?! Tell me everything you know! What are you planning?!" I screamed at him recklessly, yet he did not answer. "Give him two shocks!" The Electivire willingly wrapped one of his wires on a bar, and sent a devastating shock that made the man scream. But even after that, he did nothing but laugh.
"I won't expect much from a boy like you." He began to raise his head to face me. "You see, you have much to learn before you can fully judge my actions. In truth, one cannot understand a man's reason fully, for they can never step in his shoes. But if you're so ecstatic about understanding the Tsuchis, why should I stop you?" He then got up on his feet, causing him to tower above me. He gave a slight chuckle, and began his story.
"the Tsuchi Empire was never a deadly place like your elders taught you. During the Age of Unity, when the Ryuujin Empire united all of us, the Tsuchi Empire was the center of agriculture and technology. We created the concept of katanas, which is widely used today. But the death of the last emperor unexpectedly led to the separation of powers toward the strong generals. The emperor failed to choose someone to inherit the position, so the many generals and rich landowners struggled for power. But you might be wondering why I'm giving you a history lesson. This is to show you that we are the same. The Tsuchis and the Arashi and the Kazan. We are from one ancestor, yet we fight. We fight for different causes. I can ask you why you kill so many monks of ours who were unwillingly forced to fight our battles, and you will not have a straight answer related to morals. Now you dare ask me why I kill so many of your men, when I can easily turn this question around on you."
"Don't try to circle me around like I'm a kid! Of course we all kill! Tell me what you're planning, and maybe you can die a quick death!" I leaned towards him with rage, grabbing the bars and gritting my teeth at him. He looked at me with a piercing gaze, as if he looked right through me. Then, he smiled.
I heard a faint thud behind me, and turned around quickly. Behind me, a few meters away, was a man with decorative armor, with his hand covering the nurse's mouth and a dagger slitting her throat. An infiltration?! The bastard stalled me with Tauros crap, while his friend infilitrated the camp! I tried my best to run towards the nearest tent for a weapon, while ordering the Electivires to attack the samurai. Various explosions and slashes could be heard behind me, but I focused on finding anything to protect myself. I limped towards the tent and reached it just in time. Fortunately, the tent had a chest filled with weapons, and I chose a dagger for myself. I couldn't move my arms well, so the lightest weapon is my best bet for now. I swiped the tent cover away, and saw what seemed impossible.
The samurai was staring at me calmly with a smile on his face, while the captive ninja grabbed a dagger stuck on a dead Electivire. The man spoke to me with a deep, stern voice.
"The name's Vernon, shogun of the Tsuchi Empire. You are to spread tales of my destructive power by living. Know that I did not kill you, and you owe your life to me for as long as you live." The ninja behind him then threw a smoke bomb, and they disappeared in the midmorning fog.