I was in the library. We had a great library. It was so big and full of records and lore and mythology. Some books, like this one, were old and ancient, and had magical locks.
I grinned. I knew someone who loved breaking locks and seals.
I found my sister in the gardens as usual. I grabbed her and didn't tell her what was going on until she arrived at the library.
"Whoa! The Romantic Swordsman!" Reiko touched it reverentially. "How'd you get it out?"
"It was just lying on the podium." I explained. "I think it was being reinforced. Wanna try to open it?"
Reiko grinned. "Who do you think you're talking to?"
In minutes, the seal was broken. I took a breath, and opened it.
There was a flash of red light, and my sister and I were knocked out. Reiko, scenting danger, vanished in a little green poof.
I woke to a sword at my neck.
"Kindly tell me where I am and your death will be swift."
"W-Welcome to the Order of the Lotis. And…" I gathered my strength. The sword shook, and sparked. The silvery blue sparks caught up with the Battousai, and he was struck, and fell, sliding down the wall. "My death? I think not."
New Chapter
An hour ago, Kenshin had been looking down at the Compound from the Northern Mountain. He remembered how he had gotten there.
Soft steps in the winter snow of the Northern Mountain. How long had it been? Shinta didn't know.
Oh. He paused in his icy cold steps. That's right. It's "Kenshin" now.
He continued trudging, tracking bloodstains in the pure white snow. He sighed. As usual, leaving a trail of carnage.
It had gotten so bad that blood was everywhere. On his body, in his mouth and nose. He sneezed. Ah…would it never end?
Sh—Kenshin had traveled here into the mountains, fighting at the edge of the battlefield, on the fringes, an assassin…
And now he didn't know why he kept going up the mountain. Maybe he hoped there would be something beautiful on the other side. Proof of the New Era he had strived to build with his blood…
He strode fruitlessly to the top. The snow and wind seemed to stop around him, and a hush descended. At the base of the mountain was a shrine.
Kenshin stared at the torii in shock. He could almost cry. A holy place, where he could rest his blood soaked limbs and perhaps, perhaps seek absolution.
In the ice cold, he felt his tired body tingle with warmth.
Heaven.
And as he passed through the gate, he was enveloped in red light.