"This is Hanamura castle?" I asked quietly, hiding in the darkness of a building.
"Yes," Genji whispered, right next to me. "This was once my home."
A full moon was in the night's sky, lighting up Hanamura Castle below it. The castle, for something this old, was more impressive than the skyscrapers some cities had. Smaller, sue, but it's ancient architecture, décor, and history just made it more interesting to me. We weren't too far now, but Genji thought being cautious was the best course of action. Hanzo probably took out all the guards when he arrived but more could come, or worse…
"Come, it is time," Genji ordered, quickly and silently dashing forward.
But I wasn't nearly as focused. My conversation with Lena was still on my mind, even though we had it yesterday. Her plan wasn't impossible, it was fairly simple actually, but the others wouldn't like it…
"Survivor," Genji hissed, waving me forward. I blinked and followed him, just as stealthily.
Focus, I thought.
My armor and gun had been repainted black, so had Genji's robotic parts. Together the two of us made our way through the small town of Hanamura, avoiding anybody we found and heading towards the castle. He climbed through the main gate and I followed easily, vaulting over the top and landing in the main courtyard.
"Hey, this is private property!" Someone yelled and I looked up to see five guards running towards me. Just regular guards, nothing special.
"What do we do?" I whispered to Genji, only to realize he wasn't there. "Thanks, sensei."
I let the first guard dash past me, grabbing his arm and spinning him right into his buddy. His baton flew into the air and a quick series of punches and kicks I knocked both men to the ground. The baton began to fall and I jumped, drop-kicking the third guard. I raised my hand and the baton fell right into it. I blocked the fourth man's attack and swept him off his feet, throwing the stolen weapon and hitting the fifth guard in the head. He crumpled to the ground.
"Who are you?" The fourth growled, standing up. He pulled a phone out and I smirked, shaking my head.
"I'm Survivor, pleasure to meet ya," I replied, kicking him in the chin and sending him flying upwards. He fell to the ground with a grunt, trying to stand up but falling down again. He didn't get back up.
"Stop wasting time," Genji called, standing by an arch to the right of the courtyard, leading towards the actual castle.
"Says the man who left me the guards!" I protested quietly, running after him.
Together the two of us made our way to the castle, climbing through a window on the side. Once inside I could see there was one big room, a gallery for tourists? At the end of the room was a large banner with Japanese writing, sitting in front of it was-
"Hanzo," Genji murmured, almost with awe.
"He said he'd be here," I muttered as a reminder. "Guess this is it."
"Survivor," He said, turning to me. "I won't let Hanzo injure you too greatly but…I apologize for forcing you into this."
"Hey, you've done a lot for me," I replied with a smile. I put a hand on his shoulder and nodded. "If I can help you get your brother back, then I don't mind. Let's do this."
"Thank you," He whispered, or at least I thought he did. Before I could be sure he jumped down to Hanzo's level and, after a moment, I followed.
"You two lack stealth." Hanzo stated, his voice deep and obviously annoyed.
"Where's the fun in that?" I asked with a smirk, immediately disliking this man. Of course, I would dislike him, what brother does what he did to Genji? Not a normal one, that's for sure.
"I see you've at least taken to Genji's attitude," Hanzo murmured. He didn't move from his spot, kneeling in front of the banner. I now noticed there was a sword with a blue hilt in front of him, an antique?
"Genji's one of the most serious men I know," I answered casually, unslinging my rifle. "And a better person than you'll ever be."
"Silence," Genji ordered, giving me a look. Or he would've if his mask wasn't on. I rolled my eyes and looked away, doing as told. He turned back to his brother.
"Hanzo, do not delay this. Every moment we spend here increases the danger," Genji warned. "I'm sure you've heard."
"Yes, Overwatch is returning," Hanzo answered, his voice full of scorn. "The organization that destroyed our clan, the people that you helped."
"Hey, man, your clan was evil-"
Genji raised a hand and I shut up again.
"But you told me this, Genji," Hanzo continued. "Indeed, I have heard of Russia, Brazil, it sounds like Talon is disliking your return."
"I concur, which is why we need people like you, brother," Genji insisted. "I offer you once more, without any fight: Join us, help us make the world better."
"No, prove yourselves," Hanzo barked, finally standing up and turning to us. He had a bow in hand and a quiver full of arrows.
That seemed to be the end of the conversation. Hanzo walked to one side of the room and, once Genji nodded, I walked to the opposite end. The Shimada glared at me, gripping his bow tightly. I winked at him and smiled.
"No killing," Genji said, standing a bit away. "Or I will intervene."
"If I lose to this child," Hanzo spouted. "I will join you. If I win, this is the last we see of each other."
"Can we start?" I asked coolly, clicking the safety off my rifle. "I'm starting to get bored."
"Very well…begin!" Genji ordered, jumping away.
I grinned and aimed my gun at Hanzo, immediately firing. He rolled to the side and dashed up the wall, vaulting off and firing two arrows. I side-stepped the first and crouched under the second, firing again. He fell to the ground and spun, pulling out two more arrows. I was ready to dodge them but didn't expect them to curve. I yelped as one grazed my cheek, the second hitting my rifle. It sparked and smoked so I dropped it.
"Sensei, you could've warned me of that…" I muttered, pulling out the knife Diva gave me.
"I'm surprised he didn't speak to you of all he knew," Hanzo admitted, taking aim.
"Doesn't matter, I don't need tips," I replied, dashing towards the Shimada.
Hanzo aimed for my feet and fired. The arrow blew into several and I jumped high, twirling in the air and barely avoid them. I landed in front of Hanzo and our weapons clashed. He used his bow similar to a bow staff, striking blow after blow. I grabbed his weapon and forced him close, the two of us shaking as we tried to take the bow. He finally spun and tripped me, nocking an arrow and firing. I rolled out of the way and got to a knee. He spun his bow and sent me flying against a wall.
"Nice move, for an old man," I muttered, getting to my feet.
He was immediately on top of me with a vicious swing, I ducked under it and tackled him. He dropped his bow and grabbed me, the two of us wrestled for a few moments before I kicked him away and jumped up. He was going for his bow but I threw my knife in front of it, stopping him.
"Scared of some hand-to-hand, Hanzo?" I challenged as I put my fists up. He huffed and turned to me, raising his palms.
"You underestimate me," He said. "Has my brother taught you nothing?"
"That's what you think, but Genji taught me well," I answered as I ran to him.
The two of us met like a whirlwind, a mix of different attacks which we kept blocking or dodging. Hanzo was very, very good. Each blow was filled with enough power to move the air. One fist would pass by my head, almost too fast for me to realize another one would hit my stomach, then a third would trip me. I fell on my back and growled, activating my armor. I jumped up and kicked him back, descending on him with barrage of punches. He tried to counter, but even his strength couldn't do much against my armor. He side-stepped a punch and grabbed my arm, spinning around me and pulling an arrow out of his quiver.
"What the-"
Before I could react he smashed the arrow onto my armor. I spun and kicked him away but an electric shock spread across my armor. I yelled in pain and fell to the floor, my armor disappearing and my body taking the brunt.
"As I said, you underestimate me," Hanzo said, picking up his bow and taking another arrow from his dwindling supply.
I shuddered on the ground, my body unable to move. Hanzo seemed unsure of what to do but nocked another arrow anyway, taking aim. My hand slowly, painfully, reached back.
"Do you know why I did what I did to my brother?" Hanzo asked, taking careful steps to me. "My brother was useless. Our father had hopes for us, both of us, and Genji destroyed those hopes. He spent his days drunk, playing games, with women." The ninja spat, clearly disgusted. "He was a man-whore; he was a disgrace. Then my father passed away and what did my brother do? I hoped he would grow, he would take the weight of leadership with me and help our clan."
"You…killed him," I groaned, getting on all fours and shooting him a glare.
"I did what the elders, and myself, thought was necessary. He was useless, he was dangerous."
"You…were…his brother!" I pulled the arrow off my armor, stopping the electricity. Hanzo, surprised, quickly shot an arrow but I threw the one in my hand and they clashed midair.
Before he could react I tackled him to the ground, punching him the face. Anger surged through me, anger like never before.
"You two are brothers!" I yelled, punching him again. "I would do anything to have one more day with my siblings! And that's what you do? You kill your family?"
I grabbed my knife from the floor and spun it once, bringing it down. Hanzo grabbed my wrists and glared at me. The two of us stared at each other angrily, our hands shaking in an effort to push the blade one way or the other.
"You know nothing about loss, about family," Hanzo grunted, clenching his teeth. "Genji would have been our doom.
"I lost my mother, lost my three sisters and almost died for them, then I nearly died to save my father," I hissed, pushing the blade to his neck. It was so close, just a few more inches. "You don't understand loss, Hanzo, you don't understand family and if you keep to this path you never will."
Hanzo's eyes went wide and he yelled in fury, I yelped in surprise as he moved his head and let me stab the ground. He grabbed my shoulders and threw me backward, away from him. I rolled once and landed on my feet, turning around. I saw Hanzo nock his last arrow and begin to glow blue.
"RYU GA WAKA TEKI WO KUROU!" Hanzo yelled, launching forth two blue, giant twin dragons.
Time seemed to slow down, the dragons were coming at me slowly. They were twirling in the air in front of me, seemingly bigger as they approached but there was a tight space between the, where Hanzo could be seen. A hole.
My armor was broken, but I still gripped my knife tightly and dashed to meet the dragons. Each step brought me closer to them, my heart raced with excitement, fear, probably both. I slowed and finally jumped, spinning in the air and in between the dragons. But the space was too tight, their bodies washed over parts of my body and a burning pain I never felt before rushed up my body. I began to fall and, as I did, I threw my knife at Hanzo. It hit his bow and forced him a step back. I landed and rolled, getting to my feet and pulling the super pistol out.
He just stared at me, holding the pistol at his head. His eyes were wide with surprise, the grip on his bow was light, he just stared at me and the only indication of life was his chest which rose a bit then fell.
"You…" Hanzo murmured. He took a deep breath as if gathering strength. "You win. Genji has, indeed, taught you well."
"I-I…what?" I asked, confused. I felt dizzy and tired. I looked around and just now saw Genji next to us, sheathing his blade. "Did you-"
"No, I did not interfere," Genji cut in. "As Hanzo said, you have won."
"I…I did!" I smiled widely and laughed, letting my arm fall. Despite feeling like passing out I cheered and high-fived Genji. I heard a cough from behind me and turned around. What I saw surprised me enough that I got quiet.
"My brother, and you have proven yourselves. You both have grown stronger. Genji, you have grown stronger," Hanzo said. "What is your name, child?"
"For now, you can call me Survivor," I replied respectfully. I holstered my pistol and watched as Hanzo got to his knees, offering me the sheathed sword with a blue hilt.
"I once carried this sword into battle with honor," Hanzo explained, looking down. "But after I- After I did what I did to my brother, I realized I had none. I've regretted my actions for years and, despite all this, I am glad we are back. I hope you may forgive me, Genji, and I hope you will carry this sword with honor and carve your own path through life, Survivor, a path better than mine."
I was at a loss for words, I could tell Hanzo was completely serious. He did regret what he did years ago, and he believed I could do better. After a moment I kneeled as well, gently taking the sheathed blade from his hands.
"I will carry this with pride, Hanzo," I replied, looking up at him. "But your path hasn't finished. We can carve a better path for ourselves, and this world, together."
I stood up and so did the ninja, only to be embraced fiercely by Genji. I could tell Hanzo was trying to hold back tears, and even with his mask, I'm sure Genji was doing the same. The two brothers, after this long, seemed to forget all their anger and sorrow towards each other in that moment. I realized I didn't hate Hanzo nearly as much as I thought now.
"Well well well," A raspy voice said. I immediately spun to see Reaper standing on the bridge inside the room, facing us. "What a lovely family reunion."