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A/N: I really like this game, but I wish they developed more of story with it, like c'mon you have Knights, Vikings, and Samurai existing in the same place, you have three very different and very popular cultures in the world. Yes, I get war is the main theme here, but show us what civilian life is like living in that world, shows how these three civilizations reacted when they first made contact with each other, show us how they interpret the disaster that put them there in the first place. C'mon give us a story DLC, a short with actual characters, or a book/comic I'll take anything.

P.S: I do not own For Honor

X

Intro

It was stormy night at the northern coast of the Land of the Samurai as the rain poured down onto the bay that was littered with sinking Viking ships that failed in its raid with the flames from the wreckage lit the dark night. From the top of the walls that protects their coastal boarder the Samurai general, Sato Mamuro, stood watch as the northern invaders were washed away, but one Raider wasn't so happy. With a fierce roar the Viking Raider, Jaral, held onto the rails of his ship as he spatted his disdain towards the warriors of the Myre.

Even when the Samurai's archers still had their strings pulled the Viking leader showed no fear, "DAMN YOU, SAMURAI!" jeered the Raider venom in every word he utter from his lips. Sato stood calm along with his daughter, Akane, and her three other friends, a Shugoki named, Ruko, a Nobushi named Hana, and an Aramusha named Yuji. They and with many others standing on the walls watched as Jaral continued his outburst, "MARK MY WORDS! I WILL SACK YOU LAND PILLAGE YOUR HOMES AND RAPE YOUR WOMAN! I SWEAR BY THE GODS I WILL HAVE YOUR NECK BENEATH MY BOOT IF IT'S THE LAST THING I DO!" Jaral roared. Akane watched on nervously as her heart was pounding away, the sound was so low that she could hear it as if it were beating right next to her ear, but it wasn't because of Jaral's promise. No...

It was because of a cry, a cry of a man wailing in agony, the sound that managed to drown out the down pour of the rain, no one knew where the sound was coming from, it was as if the cry came from the ocean itself as the fire of the sinking ships were put out by the waves. When the last fire was put out the cry died out as well, and everything fell silent with only the sound of the heavy rain drops beating against the surface, but Sato place his hand on his daughter's shoulder, "The battle is won Akane, you and your friends did excellent today," he informed them with pride in his tone, "You all can rest easy, I can handle the rest from here," he told them all.

"No, I don't feel tired," Akane declined, "Besides there's still plenty of work to do if I am to take your place, I'm must take responsibility," she said otherwise determine to take on her father's responsibilities as the guardian of their coastal boarders. Sato looked to his daughter's eyes seeing the fire within them, "... Very well, as for the rest of you, you're dismissed," he excused Akane's friends, "Thank you General," Yuji said bowing to him before leaving.

With her friends off to sleep for the night, Akane and her father was left to clean and restore the ports to its normal state, but the cry of the man from the ocean still echoed within her memories.

X

Fifteen years later

In the house of the Mamuro family, a more well mature Akane sat in the courtyard, she leaned over closely with a paintbrush in hand she carefully dipped the hairs of the brush into a small jar of ink. She hovered the brush over the paper without spilling a single drop, but as she started stroking a Shinobi peeked her head out from the roof. She watched her target carefully paint the character on the sheet her silk jet black hair draping over her face. Seeing her eyes covered the Shinobi saw it as her chance to strike.

The female ninja gently rose onto the roof lightly placing her feet, the shingles beneath her feet did not make a sound as she stepped closer and closer, her presence doesn't seem to be known yet. As the pink leaves from a blossom tree fell from their branches the Shinobi was close enough to leap from her vantage point, Akane's shadow pointed west so the Shinobi's shadow wasn't gonna give her away. It was the time to strike, the Shinobi rose up a bit, leaning forward, and leaps from the roof, but there was one flaw, the birds on the blossom tree got startled, and flew off from the branches.

Akane immediately took action, she quickly rolls out of the way of the Shinobi's path, the ninja was completely caught of guard as she was now thrown off balance right in midair, and when she hit the ground landing right on Akane's work with the ink splashing onto her. The Shinobi swung her arm back to strike at Akane, but missed. Akane grabbed the Shinobi's arm twisting it behind her back, she then sat her knee right on top of her, and then wraps her free hand under the Shinobi's chin pulling it up.

The Shinobi cried out trying to pry off Akane's hand off her chin, she flails her legs hopelessly banging her feet on the floor, soon the ninja just tapped out slamming her hand on the wooden floor, "I GIVE UP! I GIVE UP!" cried the Shinobi. Akane releases her hold on her standing up to dust off her kimono, "Your apprentice failed again, Yuji," Akane said. Stepping outside was a middle-aged man with a toothpick between his teeth, and his hat off the dual wielding Samurai stepped forth, "She came closer than the last time," Yuji retorted, "So close, but yet so far," Akane remarked without a sound of emotion.

"Oww... ! that hurt," whined the Shinobi after getting up, "Do better next time, Kaori, but til then please do clean yourself up," Akane ordered handing her a rag before heading off to her quarters.

The student and teacher then headed inside to train some more, but as they walked into the next room the young woman was venting out her displeasure of her failure, "I was this close Sensei, I almost had her this time," the Shinobi known as Kaori said repeatedly. "Yes you did, you came close for the forty-fifth time," Yuji reminded her.

Much has changed for the small team as they taken in a new member into their group, a Shinobi girl named Kaori, Yuji's niece who's been in his care since she was baby. Since she could take her first steps Yuji can see that Kaori had both her mother's strength and father's spirit both of which perished in a small raid by the Vikings. Kaori mostly grew up along side Akane's group, Hana and Ruko remember playing with her when she was a little girl, but most of the times she would be training with her uncle.

Yuji a man who's skills are very known for his ability to wield two blades, Yuji is a very modest man, but the others once said to Kaori that the Ronin warrior wasn't really a Ronin at all. Yuji does have a lord who is Akane's father, Sato, and used to brag a lot about his skills, but over the years he learned to be more humble with his position now that he was Kaori's master.

Light on her feet Kaori jumped on a wooden dummy stepping on it as if they were steps then flipping off kicking the dummy in the head and then landing perfectly on her feet. Jumping back up forth of the dummy Kaori started swinging her kusarigama tapping the sides of the dummy before jumping up to spin around kicked the dummy again in the head, but gets caught, and so she hits the ground with a thud. With her foot being held up high Kaori had her face down on the floor trying to awkwardly get herself free, "Stupid dummy," she said frustratingly.

"Someone's having fun," Kaori twists her head spotting Ruko standing at the doorway looking down at her, "... I meant to do that," Kaori lied trying to seem cool, "so you meant to get your foot caught and fall on your face?" Ruko taunted just not buying it. Ruko was obviously the strongest member in their group once knocking down a burning house with a hammer to prevent it from spreading to others. His jolly mood making him more fun to play with when Kaori was little once climbing on top of him as if he were a mountain, "did the dummy win?" he teased quietly chuckling.

"oh, quit teasing the poor gir,l Ruko," Hana soon walks in already hearing what was going on and gets Kaori foot free, "so, I'm guessing you didn't get Akane this time, did you?" Hana asked softly, "no..." Kaori replied disappointingly. Hana soon places both hands on her shoulder gently patting her head, "don't feel too down, besides not like any of us can sneak up on her," Hana noted. One of the most kindest person Kaori has ever met, Hana, always seem to give off this warm welcoming feeling with just a soft smile of her's. She was perhaps the closest thing Kaori has to a mother.

Sitting up Kaori stretching out her shoulders, her joints feeling sore, "hey, Kaori, Ruko and I are going into town," Hana informed her, "wanna come?" Ruko finished by inviting Kaori. Perking up hearing the invitation to join them, but then-, "no," interrupted Yuji as he entered from the other side of the room, "she's not going anywhere until I say so," he told them. Kaori gave out a giant sigh of displeasure up to the ceiling, "but I've been training all week," she argued, "other Shinobis train much longer than that, get back to work," Yuji ordered her.

Kaori pouted, but then Hana placed a hand onto her shoulder silently telling her to stay where she is, "Yuji, I'm sure you think Kaori needs plenty of training, but I think she earned a break," Hana told him. However Yuji just scoffed, "c'mon, Yuji, you used to be laid back before," Ruko reminded, "what I was before is not important, right now Kaori must training to..." Yuji trailed off as he turned back to face his friends they were gone "goddamnit."

X

Later

Walking into town Kaori was glad to take the time out to go out window shopping in the busy business district of the kingdom where farmers, cooks, artists, black smiths, and merchants alike come to trade, barter, or sale. From listening from the constant bickering of two people arguing of the cost of one's products, or the clanging of a hammer being beaten down on an anvil, or eve taking in the inviting smell of food in the air. Walking up to one shop belonging to a local merchant Hana inspected a pile of beautifully painted works, "hey Ruko, this would look great in your room," Hana picked out.

She held out the picture showing a picture a giant red Oni with bright yellow eyes that just pop, with a big smile filled with big tusks, and wild and bushy hair, Ruko blushed a bit feeling awkward, "I'm thinking of something uplifting to change the mood," Ruko replied. As Kaori was also going through a shelf of random items she came across something that caught her eye, "whoa... is this a Knight's helmet?" she asked and the shopkeeper simply nodded explaining that it was a Warden helm. "Oh, that's right you haven't really seen one," Hana noted, "well duh, I hardly go any further beyond town," Kaori said, "they don't look so tough," she added, "I wouldn't say that, we used to kne- oof!" Ruko was going to explain, but Hana jabbed her elbow into his belly. Hana shook her head at him holding up a finger to her mouth to tell him to keep his mouth shut.

As Kaori was busy examining they started to hear some distant echo of some man shouting, looking over their shoulders they saw Yuji pushing his way through the crowd, "is that Yuji?" Ruko pointed, "yup," Kaori answered. After finally making it to the entrance of the merchant's shop Yuji held himself up as to regain his breath, "huff, puff, huff, puff, huff... puff..." he gasps several times, "were you looking for us?" Hana teased, "hahaha! Kaori put that down we're going back," Yuji ordered with a sarcastic laugh. But of course it quickly sank into an argument between the three adults, as they argued Kaori placed the helm back onto its shelf because she noticed how another person in the merchant's shop was quickly taking glances at the exit.

The shopkeeper was too busy being distracted by Yuji's, Hana's, and Ruko's bickering to pay attention to the obvious thief who was in his shop, when the doorway was clear enough the thief grabbed the most expensive looking item, and sprinted to the exit. The shopkeeper finally sees the thief making a run for it, but the others were blocking his way, the thief thought he made it out clean, but right before he could make it out he bumped right into Kaori, "oops, sorry," Kaori apologized.

Even though Kaori may have slowed him down the thief still made it out the door, "no! stop that thief!" the shopkeeper shouted, "Kaori! why didn't you stop him?" Hana asked knowing that she could've caught the thief. "What? you mean stop him from stealing this?" Kaori retorted pulling out the item that the thief was trying to steal, "oh, thank you, thank you," the shopkeeper praised taking the item off Kaori's hand. Amazed Ruko and Hana congratulated the young ninja, but there was one thing, "wait, so what's the thief got?" Ruko asked and a big ball of smoke could be seen down the street.

Apparently Kaori didn't just snatched the expensive item off the thief's hands, but has also swapped the item with a smoke bomb, and when they were about to leave the shopkeeper stopped them, "wait, wait, I am very grateful how can I repay you?" he asked sounding very joyed. upon hearing the offer Kaori already knew what she wanted.

Walking out of the shop Kaori was looking down to her hands holding the Warden's helm, "out of all things, you chose that helmet," Hana inquiry, "well I think it's kinda cool," she commented. Even though Kaori thought the helmet was quite unique to her it was quite old and it most definitely showed it, the visor was rusted shut filling brittle in her hands, flakes of rust falling off from the surface, but still had much to recover from.

X

The Manner

Inside the manner something very important was happening for Akane as her father required her presences, walking up to the paper door Akane cracked it open, "father, you needed me?" she asked poking her head through seeing her father sitting at one end of his room facing towards the wall. "Yes, Akane, please come in I have something I need to give you," he told her inviting her in, Akane silently entered closing the door behind her, "sit down," Sato said gesturing to a mat. Akane sat down and Sato turn to face her, but not without a long narrow wooden box in his hands, he set the box down in front of himself placing it right between him and his daughter.

Akane sat their silently, she was papering for this moment her entire life, with being born into a family of nobility she had started out as an Orochi, but that training was only leading up to this, the day she becomes a Kensei. Just like her father and many others before her, she was getting her nodachi, "... are you going to open it?" Sato asked breaking the awkward silence. Snapping out of it Akane pulled the box closer to her, she lifts the lid off, lightly sets it to the side, and marveled at her sword laying within. The sword laid on top of a small contained pile of straw the scabbard and most of the hilt was black with gold trims on its guard and the pommel.

Akane gently took the sword out of its box holding it right in front of her, she unsheathed the blade finding it to be so polished that it might as well be a mirror, "so... what do you think?" Sato asked. Akane sheath the blade back to its scabbard, "it's marvelous father," she replied, "I'm glad you like it, beacuse I have been waiting for this day to come ever since you held a wooden sword," Sato told her. Soon a ceremony will be held to officially initiate Akane from being a simple Orochi to a Kensei to full fill her father's role to guardian of their coastal boarders.

Sato looked out to the bay out of his family's manner reminiscing of the time he was given of this major responsibility that was passed down to him by generations before him and his daughter. He took in a big breath of air from the coastal breeze and then exhaled, "... you should get to the initiation, it will be starting soon," Sato informed Akane, "yes father," Akane responded bowing before leaving with her new Nodachi in her arms.

She quietly slides the door closed and turns to go to her room to get prepared, but as she was walking down the halls she thought back of what she had to do to accomplish her goal, constantly putting herself to her limits as she tried day and night, finishing every mission and task passed down by her father personally, and- "hey, Akane."

Being brought out from her train of thought Akane saw all her friends before her, "what are you all doing?" she asked curiously, "we just came back from the town," Hana answered, "and look what I got," Kaori present the helmet to Akane. When upon seeing the helmet Akane almost stumbled back when Kaori just shoved it right in her personal space, "where did you get that ugly thing?" she demanded appalled at the rusted helm. Kaori retracted her arms seeing the upset expression on Akane's face, but before she explain a visitor came into the manner, "well isn't it the little problem child of, Sato Mamuro, and her miscreant friends," said a older Samuria by the name of Taishiro.

A man who is well know for his disdain for Sato Mamuro and have always plotted way to folly his good name, he was always jealous of Sato's position he always showered with praise by members of nobility, for his family's long history of being guardians of the coast. Akane known him just as well as he tried to humiliate her on several occasions, "hello Taishiro, I see you could make it to my initiation," Akane greeted with a tone of irritation. She stepped in front of Kaori not to protect her, but to hid the knight helm that was in her hands, "yes, as one of the top commanders I am required to attend so don't think it's out of obligation, problem child," Taishiro told her.

Akane cringed at the name Taishiro kept referring her as, he always called her, problem child, for years of building up herself to be the best she is it was Taishiro who tried to knock her down. However before Taishiro turned to leave he had one thing to say, "oh, and by the way," he spoke up, he grabbed his sword by its scabbard and pointed the pommel toward Kaori managing to stick the hilt into the helmet. He brought it out into the open showing it for all to see, "you know trinkets like these are frowned upon right, you wouldn't want anyone else to see you with it, just like your old friend," Taishiro said in a mocking tone.

Taishiro then takes the helmet off his sword then tosses it back to Kaori as he chuckled down the hall, it was silent in the middle of the hall for a moment as everyone could tell that Akane was angry, angry towards Kaori. She turns around facing her, as Kaori saw the mad expression on her face, "give me that!" Akane demanded swiping the helmet out of Kaori's hand, "go, I do not want to see you for the rest of the day," she orders just fuming, "but-," "NO BUT! GO NOW!" Akane cut her off commanding her to leave.

Kaori was silent shaking in fear at how she inadvertently angered Akane, the others did not stepped in not wanting to excel the situation even further, or even having the authority to intervene. Kaori didn't say a single word say just turned around and headed towards her quarters, "and I better not be hearing anymore problems from now on, got it?" Akane questioned the others, "yes, Akane," they said in unison, bowing before being dismissed.

X

Sunset

In one of the halls of the Mamuro Manner commanders and notable members of nobility have come to attend Akane's initiation, looking with just her eyes Akane spotted her father to the row of guests beside her. He was sitting on the very corner of the opposite end of her, there she stood on top of a long and narrow mat where on the other end laid out her new Kensei armor, walking into view was a nobleman spotting a ceremonial mask with wild white hair.

"Akane Mamuro, step forth," the man called to her, Akane did as told slowly taking her step towards the other end of the mat, when meeting the other end she was told to sit. She lowered herself to the ground resting on top of her shins and her head bowed, "Akane Mamuro, you have shown great skill and dedication to both the emperor and to the protection of his people," the man started, "it has come with great honor that we bestow upon you the title of Kensei," he announced. Akane with her head still bowed over spoke, "thank you, I will carry the legacy of my father with great pride and courage," Akane thanked, and then she dawned the armor.

Tying up the last lace Akane's father stood up to hand her her sword, "I'm so proud of you, Akane," he said, "thank you father," Akane responded back, she took the sword from her father's hand then tied the scabbard to her belt. When that was done she tied back her hair and placed her helmet on.

X

Later

On that same evening Kaori was in her room still upset with what happened earlier, "Kaori, can we come in?" Hana called out knocking on the other side, "no, go away," Kaori responded, "Koari! let us in!" Yuji countered demanding access, "ugh! fine come in," Kaori groaned. The door slid open and Ruko, Yuji, and Hana entered, "are you alright kid?" Ruko asked seeing Kaori laying her back on a target practice dummy, "yes, no, UUUUGH!" she erupted in frustration.

"Why do I feel like she hates me?" Kaori asked, "Akane doesn't hate you, Kaori, she's just expects the best from us," Hana said, "we know that she can be harsh at times, but if you give her more time you can see that Akane is actually a loving person," Hana explained. So far Kaori just pouted, "yeah, but she didn't have to take my helmet," she told them, but it reminded her of something Taishiro said, "Hey guys, what did Taishiro meant when saying an old friend?" she asked. Everyone just fell silent not really expecting that question, "uuuuh... " Hana trailed, "umm, should we just tell her," Ruko suggested, "absolutely not," Yuji shot down, "tell me what? what is it that you guys won't tell me?" Kaori wanted to know.

They all glanced back to one another really wishing that Kaori haven't asked them that, "c'mon tell me," Kaori cried, "Ruko pleeeeeeeease," Kaori pleaded begging until finally Ruko cracked, "alright! alright! I'll tell you," he surrendered, "Ruko!" Yuji and Hana scorned him, "what I can't say to no to this face," Ruko defended. Kaori gave a huge smile with her eyes just sparkling, "besides, if anyone's gonna tell her it's gonna be me, I've been serving under Akane the longest," Ruko noted and that Hana and Yuji admitted to be true.

Ruko sat down crossing his legs and Kaori scooted closer, "alright... you comfortable?" he asked and Kaori nodded he head, "O.K, it happened a long time ago, we were around your age, we knew a friend. A good friend named, Thomas," Ruko started. But hearing the name made Kaori confused, "wait, Thomas? isn't that an English name?" she asked, "yup, because Thomas was a Knight," Ruko explained. Kaori awed at the answer, "whooooa... wait I thought foreigners weren't allowed in the ranks?" Kaori shot her second question, "that's why we're here," Ruko said then continued.

"Yes foreigners aren't allowed to join the Samurai ranks, but Thomas was a mercenary, and a frequent sword for hire," Ruko explained, "Akane was the one who kept on hiring him," he said, "really? why?" Kaori asked, "he provided really good results and was cheap, but even when the job was done he stuck around to see if we were all doing fine," "he sounds like nice guy," "yeah... yes he was, on his own free time he gave food to those less fortunate." "I remember all the times he made the children laugh," Hana added, "he was so kind, I learned to be humble through him," Yuji noted calling back to the time. "Even when all seemed lost, Thomas was there to shine the way," Ruko said.

There was a moment of silence for the three Koari could tell they were all looking back to time when they were younger, "so... what happened to him?" Kaori asked, snapping the three out of their thoughts, "well, he died in battle years ago, but we never found his body, but I like to hope that he's out there. Somewhere," Ruko explained.

X

Somewhere Else

Later that night riding down towards a small river three Samurai were out investigating to what they thought they saw was a small abounded paddle boat drifting into the river. It was the darkest time of the night with lanterns lighting their way down the path, the sound of hooves can be heard beating against the soil, when approaching the point of interest they pulled on the reigns of their mounts to stop. Upon seeing what it was that caught their attention was true, it was a boat, but there was three of them, and by the looks of how far they were on shore they looked to be dragged in, "go back to the fort and tell the captain we have invaders," one of the Samurai told the others.

However right when they tried to turn back a Viking popped out from behind and thrusts a spear into the horse of the Samurai closest to him. The horse screamed in pain kicking up on its hind legs and tumbling backwards pinning the rider beneath. The Samurai were caught by surprised as the Vikings ambushed them, the second tried to help the downed Samurai, but soon found herself knocked down off her horse. Finding herself on her back the Samurai quickly pulled herself back to her feet and there she saw the man who knocked her off her horse.

But something was a miss this man was different, this man wasn't a Viking, no he wore a helmet that concealed his whole face made from black iron, a pelt collar, and dusted old cape waving behind his back. The female Samurai drew out her blade, she steps back, and lunges towards him, when shooting across the short distance she immediately realized the size of her attacker. He was more than twice her size. But when swinging her sword down her attack was blocked by the giant man's own sword, and he then kicked her down on her back again.

Even when lying down she quickly rolled out of the way, not from the her attacker's blade, but his giant boot just coming inches away from having her head crushed. She attempts to slash at his legs, however the man was more agile than she thought just simply stepping back to avoid her blade, and then smashed the pommel of his sword into her helmet. She heard a loud crunching sound like someone cracking an egg, she was dazed with her sight blurring, she left herself open as the man smack her sword out her own hand, and grasps her by the neck.

She felt the grip of the man tighten as he wraps his fingers around her neck, "your end is nigh," he told her as he pulled her up high into the air as her legs were flailing. She tried to pry herself free but she wasn't strong enough, she looked around and saw that her friend was still pinned by his horse, but the other managed to raid off, one of the Viking stepped forth with a bow in hand, "can you hit from here?" asked a woman sounding calm. The archer pulled his string back and took aim, "... yes," he answered and his fingers unhooked from the string. The arrow flew through the air silently with only the sound of the horse galloping through the field and the sight of it and the rider's silhouette, and then seeing the rider fall, but the horse kept running.

Watching the mount disappear in the distant the female Samurai took out her knife that was concealed in the back of her belt and drove it into the opening in the man's armor sinking the blade into his shoulder. She papered to run to her sword when the man let's go of her to pull the knife out, but shockingly it didn't happen, instead the man stood there staring at the knife still protruding from his shoulder, he wrapped his fingers around the hilt, and yanks it out without flinching. The blood soaked blade glistening in the dark as the man held it right into her view, "that won't work," he said before slowly pointing the blade to her.

She grabbed his hand to prevent him from stabbing her from her own knife, but again found it futile to push back on the man's arm as it continued towards her. Arms shaking, her face sweating as the edge of the blade was hovering over her, "no! please! wait! WA-!" her voice cut off as she attempted to reason with him, but the blade sunk into her neck. She was unable to speak as the blood flooded her throat chocking her, the man tosses her to the ground as her life slowly faded away and the blood flowing out of her wound.

At last there was only one Samurai left, the warrior who was still trapped under his dead mount, trying to reach for his weapon, the Samurai couldn't help, but look up to his attackers in fear. His sword was buried under his dead steed, but saw his friend's lying just out of his reach and was furthered out when the man kicked it away, he loomed right over him only assuming that the stranger was staring into his eyes. The mysterious man places his foot onto the lifeless corpse of the mount and pressed down, the Samurai could feel the crushing weight of the horse being forced down onto him like his leg would snap at any moment.

"Who are you?" the Samurai demanded trying to keep a calm tone, but the man can tell he was fearful, one of the Vikings lit a torch making it easier to see and the Samurai was shocked to see that the man wasn't a Viking, but a Knight. The Knight drew his sword slowly and the next moment spoke, "I am Haad," he said plainly before raising his sword and chopping it down onto the Samurai. The head was cleaved right off of the Samurai's shoulders rolling around on the ground, the mysterious Knight wiped off the blood of his blade sheathing it back into his scabbard, then turned to the others, "the horse that got away will return to its stall soon," Haad noted, "there is no time to waste," he added and started walking towards the direction the horse went, and the rest followed.

A/N: Alright that's the first chapter please let me know what you think.