Alright, so this is the beginning of the end! It's the first of the final six chapters that are left in this story.
Encounter Number 13: Enemy Kensei
Emora's horse sped in front of the other steeds as she turned left onto another trail. The Warden could hear the gallops of her allies' horses behind her own. The Myre was humid and fairly windy. There were many trees, and the ground was always moist and muddy. The structures of the Samurai were strange and unique, the rooftops and walls looked drastically different than the 'normal' way the Knights and Viking's built them.
The trees cast constant darkness over the Myre, but in some clearings, the sun shined bright. The shadows in the deep woods could easily conceal a Samurai fighter that the group of Heroes wouldn't be expecting. Despite it being around midday, the lighting in the Myre seemed dim and almost ominous.
Emora's horse came to a stop as she had commanded. The rest of the Heroes stopped as well, awaiting orders or further instruction. The Warden looked at a new map of the Myre that the Orochi known as Mayako had made for the group.
"Mayako did a fantastic job with this map. Do your maps all look the same?" Emora asked. All the Heroes nodded in response.
"She spent all afternoon working on them yesterday. She knows the Myre like the back of her hand. She knows of almost every clan in the Dawn Empire, and the many villages, cities, and fortresses within their territory." Cinder explained.
"Hm. Mine has a bit of mustard on it. How rude." Cyrus huffed.
Cinder chuckled and turned to the golden Warden. "She must've gotten hungry while making them. What can you do?" He shrugged.
Cyrus nodded his head. "Nothing...And that pisses me off. I'll get her back one day..."
Katsue was looking around in complete silence. The other Heroes watched as her horse slowly trotted forward, carrying the wandering Shinobi.
"I missed my home. It feels good to be back again." Katsue said out loud, her voice smooth.
Elea tilted her head to the side. "Why'd you ever leave? This place seems pretty calm. Albeit...A bit creepy."
Katsue shook her head. "Ever since the Cataclysm hundreds of years ago...The Samurai have never really been the same. That disaster tore our entire world apart and is the reason why all of our peoples are together in the first place. You guys really think the Knights, Vikings, and Samurai were always naturally together? Hell no...It was different back then."
"Hm. The entire world changed. It brought our nations together, but at the same time it tore us all apart." Emora muttered.
"Our ancestors struggled to survive for many years. Our father told us of it, how his grandparents and their grandparents all had to fight to survive. Everyone was a wanderer back then...Every man for himself. Small civilizations began to start, and conflict arose. We should be grateful that we grew up and live life in an actual society today. Back then...It was pure mayhem." Cindra sighed.
Katsue nodded in agreement. "Everyone was lost. But we found our way. Yet...The Samurai still struggle amongst themselves. Ever since our first Emperor died...Everything's been absolute chaos. There are way too many small clans and rebellions, small villages that are unprotected, and blood-thirsty assassins that kill for no worthy or honorable reason."
The Heroes all looked at Katsue, listening to her passionate words. It was the first time hearing the Shinobi act serious about something.
"We fight and die for our ancestors, we live by the rules of old...But it's hard sometimes. We need to move on and focus on establishing order among ourselves. Emperor Hakushi...Airi's father...He's a good man, but sometimes he's too...Passive. Crime, anarchy, and disorder riddle the Myre. His wife isn't any better. They're both caring, honest people...But the Myre needs leaders who can make things happen."
Emora put her head down and exhaled. "I guess that's where Airi gets her caring, gentle nature from. I...I don't believe that she never told me any of this. You would think that telling your girlfriend that you're basically royalty among the Samurai is pretty important...But apparently not." She said with irritation.
"I would think she would tell you too. Many of the Samurai Heroes in the fortress recognized her surname. I myself was quite surprised to see her among the Knights. But I can see why...The Myre still isn't in the best of shape." Katsue said with a dull tone.
It was true. As the Heroes looked around, the mood and appearance of the Myre kept on getting more depressing. The almost never-ending swamp that was the territory of the Dawn Empire was murky and wet. A layer of fog covered the levels above the marsh, restricting vision heavily. One could not even see beyond the tree lines without having to squint or get closer.
The Samurai had built their cities and major civilizations upon the mountains and hills, far away from the lower swamps of the Myre. Villages and towns that remained in the marsh were overgrown and were always in despair and in a constant struggle to survive. The reasoning for Airi becoming a Nobushi was to try and help those people who weren't as fortunate to live up in the major cities.
"Well shit. You're damn right, Kat. This place ain't doing too hot." Apollo huffed.
"Yeah...But from here on out, we should be careful. Mayako's map says that there are some small clans nearby in these areas. Who knows...They could be rival clans, and the last thing we need is to get caught up in a turf war. The Urutora Clan palaces are farther up in the mountains so our horses will have to stay down here in the swamps." Katsue announced.
"Alright. Let's keep moving then." Emora nodded. She gave her horse a small kick, and she took off down the muddy path. Her horse stomped on puddles, which splashed dirty rain-water everywhere. The Heroes rode through the Myre, deeper and deeper into Samurai territory. The Urutora Clan's palaces and castles were large and beautiful, being so high up in the mountains, the view of the Myre from up above was stunning, and the air was fresh and cool. Their cities were large and wealthy, their economy thriving. Clans like the Urutora and Seinaru Clans were usually the ones to be interacting with the Knights and Vikings.
But the deeper they went, the higher the danger. Guard outposts of the Urutora Clan had to be avoided; the Heroes had to waste time finding another way around. This would prove difficult, as the swamps weren't exactly pleasant walking grounds. By the time they reached the major palace, the Hakushi Province, it was nightfall.
The Hakushi Province was the largest of the cities and palaces in the entire Myre. As the name suggests, it was founded by the Hakushi generation, and built from the ground up as one of the first major civilizations since the cataclysm. Being the main stronghold of the Urutora Clan, this is the palace where Airi would likely be staying at. It was large, wide, and highly populated territory. The Heroes would have to get to the core estate of Atsuto Hakushi's luxurious home.
It would prove difficult, but not impossible.
Nightfall...
Eight horses were tied up in a secluded part of the forest. Eight Heroes stood before a large wooden gate, a Japanese symbol embedded on the front of it. Behind the gate, a long, wide staircase could be seen that led up to what looked like to be a massive collection of buildings and houses. On their way there, the Heroes had seen many large cities and villages. They had learned that the colors of the Urutora Legion were black and gold, while the colors of the Seinaru Clan were white and gold. The two clans seemed to be a perfect match for each other and would be able to fuse smoothly.
"You know...Something's botherin' me. The Myre is in such a bad condition because of the emperor, right?" Cyrus asked.
Katsue shrugged. "I've already said that the Emperor is a good man. Both of the Hakushi's are gentle people, but they are too neutral. They have made attempts to stop the rampant civil wars in the Myre, but...Some Samurai are just...Far past a point of return. They've been blinded by their lives growing up, and how the Myre has treated them and their families for all these years. They're unhappy with the progression of the Samurai...How we've been in a mostly dormant state, and haven't been able to advance in any major way at all. Their morals are bleak, and the rebel clans only seek to provide for themselves. Nowadays, it seems we can't stop beheading one another." The Shinobi explained.
Cyrus nodded, he sniffed the humid air around him, the fog in the forest still obscuring a bit of everyone's vision.
"It makes sense that this fusion is happening. The Urutora Clan is powerful, despite being extremely docile. Meanwhile, the Seinaru Clan is a bit brisker and attentive of the Myre's issues. It'll benefit the Dawn Empire if these two large powers unite into one. Combining the Urutora Clan's strength and wealth with the Seinaru Clan's dedication and pride, the Samurai will, at last, have a major power to follow. The path they'll pave will likely lead to the enlightenment of the Japanese." Cinder brought up.
Emora let out a small whimper.
"Then...M-Maybe we aren't doing the right thing...What gives me the right to stop the unity of those two clans? If we go through with this...We'll leave the Samurai in a state of desolation and need. Is my love for Airi really worth more than the well-being of an entire nation?" She asked her allies, the instincts of a Warden kicking into play.
Cindra opened her visor and walked over to Emora. She looked the Warden in the eyes, a serious expression on her face.
"Emora, we're doing this for you. Let me ask you something. How did you feel when Airi first left?"
The Warden put her head down and shuddered. "You know that feeling of pain in your chest and stomach when something really hurts?"
Cindra nodded.
"That's how I felt. Let me tell you...It hurt like hell." Emora mumbled solemnly.
Cindra turned to look at the rest of the Heroes. They all stood in silence, their masks and helmets hiding what their facial expressions looked like. Only Elea's face could be seen, but she only looked tired after traveling through such gloomy territory.
The Commander turned back to Emora. "We can find another way. I know for a fact that you won't be the same without her. Plus...We don't even know for sure if Airi will want to return with us. She might not accept your love."
A sudden jab of pain ripped through the Warden's chest as her heart tanked a massive blow to its morale.
"Don't say that!" Emora cried.
"It's true, Emora. But...If she does, then I know you two will be able to work something out in order to fuse the two clans together. The Hakushi's will understand their own daughter. If she trusts you, then they will too." Cindra said with a softer tone.
Emora sighed in relief; she nodded her head as she looked at the wooden gate.
"How will we get past?" The Warden asked.
Her allies stood next to and behind her as they observed the gate.
"Hm. The gate will have guards. Plus...We don't want the entire Hakushi Province hunting us down if they find out we're inside. We just want to get to Atsuto's home as soon as we can, hopefully undetected." Katsue brought up.
"Home? Tsk...The guy probably has an entire freakin' plot of land with a big-ass manor all to himself and his wife!" Apollo scoffed.
Emora grunted. "That must be where Airi is staying. And since that Daigo Kaneko guy is the groom...He must be there too."
"Not just him, Emora. The ceremony will likely take place quite soon. Daigo's parents, the Emperor, and Empress of the Seinaru Clan will likely be there as well, along with some of their royal guard. They'll have elite imperials providing security during the wedding, from both clans." Katsue shook her head.
The Warden exhaled, feeling discouraged. "Then...What do we do?"
The Shinobi stopped to think, everyone turning to look at her.
"There must be another way in. This is a pretty big city, so there as to be another way to get in other than the central gate. Let's try around the side, on the left, where the fog is thick. We can sneak in, and find our way to Atsuto's manor." Katsue turned to Apollo and smirked.
"Sounds like a plan. Let's try it." Alban nodded.
The Heroes walked past their horses, which were all feeding on a large bag of grain. They treaded on foot, stepping over large roots, fallen trees, and broken pieces of wooden arcs that somehow broke, likely during one of the Myre's famous thunderstorms.
Katsue led the pack, stepping quickly and quietly. She stopped and raised a fist in the air, signaling the Heroes to stop. She closed her eyes and amplified her hearing. She managed to hear Japanese guards conversing not too far away, likely near a side entrance used by villagers to escape the bustle of the city.
The Shinobi turned to her allies and signaled at the vague looking entrance.
"You guys need to distract them. If I can get behind them, I can get us a quiet way in." She whispered.
Cyrus stood up with his fist clenched.
"I got this!"
Apollo quickly stood up and put his hand over the golden Warden's helmet. "Shut up, dickhead!"
"Why'd ya put your hand over my helmet? My mouth is behind my visor." Cyrus laughed, looking at Apollo mockingly.
"Man, shut up! I'm kind of on edge right now." The Centurion backed off and crossed his arms.
Cyrus grabbed Elea's arm as he walked forward.
"Come on, let's go distract em."
"Bet." Elea giggled.
The Berserker and Warden walked forward. As they did so, Katsue sprinted off in silence, towards the staircase the guards were defending.
"I hope this works." Alban sighed.
"It will. I trust in those three." Cindra chuckled.
Elea and Cyrus casually walked hand in hand in front of the small entrance. Now that they were closer, it was revealed that there were six Samurai guards defending the miniature gate.
"Yamero!" A guard yelled as he spotted the two Heroes. The five other guards turned defensive as they held their katanas in their sheaths.
Cyrus and Elea turned to the guard in disarray. "The hell did he say?" The golden Warden turned to the Berserker, who only shrugged.
"Anatahadare!" The Guard shouted as he took a few steps forward, holding his katana tightly.
"English, dumbass!" Cyrus yelled. Elea snorted as she tried to suppress her laughter.
The Guard shook his head as he cleared his throat. "Who are you people?! You do not look like you belong here, you are both foreign! What are your motives for being in the Myre, in Urutora territory?" He asked, his accent thick.
"Oh, that's easy. My girlfriend and I were just trying to find a romantic place for our getaway, you know? We're also really into nature, so we decided that fucking in the forest would be more interesting." The golden Warden said casually.
Elea burst out laughing, slapping her hands over her mouth shortly after.
The Guard narrowed his eyes in disgust.
"Leave this area, immediately! You cannot enter the Hakushi Province, for there are important events taking place within the city. Our establishment is not taking visitors or new Heroes at this time, so please, excuse yourselves from the premise!" The Guard ordered.
Cyrus put his hands up in surrender.
"Come on man, we're just passing through."
"Yeah, it's no big deal." Elea smiled.
Two other guards loaded arrows into longbows and raised them, their strings pulled back, ready to fire.
"I've warned you once, I'm not going to warn you again! Leave, now!" The Guard raised his voice even higher.
Cyrus and Elea exchanged glances.
"Sorry bud, but we can't leave just yet. We're on a mission." Elea grinned.
"A mission that involves Airi Hakushi! The daughter of your beloved Emperor." Cyrus crossed his arms and laughed.
The Guards froze. The front guard unsheathed his katana in anger.
"NANDATO?!"
The two guards behind him released their arrows, they whizzed through the air with a piercing sound.
Cyrus took a single step to the side, easily dodging the arrow. Elea fell to a crouching position, the second arrow flying over her head. They both looked up at the guard, their heads tilted.
"That wasn't very nice."
"N-Nanda—GUAH!"
Elea and Cyrus watched as a kunai struck the guard in the neck, blood shooting out like a busted water hose. They looked up to see Katsue crouching on an overhang above the guards. She jumped down and landed on another guard, sticking her sickles into his neck. She quickly stood up to face three guards who were charging at her, katanas raised.
She flipped forward and crouched, dodging an attack from a guard. She stuck her sickle his arm, then got up against his side and sliced his throat open. She watched blood showered the entire area, the Shinobi huffed as she threw him forward.
She kneecapped the second guard in the jaw, causing him to fall back in a stunned state. The Shinobi, with a swift, fast pace, cut the guard's throat twice, then decked him to the side.
She strode forward and launched her kusarigama, hitting the third guard in the heart. She pulled back, the guard stumbling towards her. The Shinobi ran forward and leaped into the air, stepping on the guard's shoulder, then jumping forward, using him as a boost. The guard fell forward, dead. Katsue landed on one leg, then rolled forward. She crouched and threw her sickle forward, hitting the fourth and final guard in the thigh, who was running to ring a bell to alarm nearby guard units.
Just as the guard was about to pull the string to ring the bell, he flung backward, Katsue pulling on him. She brought the guard up to her height, holding him by the neck. The Samurai begged for mercy, asking why the Shinobi was attacking her own people in Japanese. She answered the guard in a quiet whisper.
"Korera wa watashi no hitobitodesu."
She cut the man's throat open, blood gushing out and splattering onto the floor. His body fell forward, the Samurai's quiet gargles caused Katsue to shudder.
Cyrus and Elea walked up to the Shinobi and patted her on the back.
"Nice work Kat. Hey...I know it's probably hard killing your own people. You admired the Urutora Clan. We're sorry. We probably could've killed them ourselves." Cyrus apologized.
"Yeah. But...At least your distraction worked." Elea said in a low tone.
Katsue shook her head. "It's fine. I'm doing this to help someone I admire more than the Urutora Clan."
The Shinobi and the other two Heroes turned to look at Emora, who was walking up the steps to the entrance along with Cinder, Cindra, Alban, and Apollo.
"We're all doing this for her. If anyone's worth it, it's her and Airi." Elea smiled.
"Right on," Cyrus smirked.
Alban told everyone to stand aside as he kicked the door open. The eight Heroes rushed in, expecting more guards.
"Huh. Okay then." Apollo shrugged as he put his gladius down.
The Heroes walked forward, they were surprised to see dozens of people in front of them, going through their daily commute. People were at market stands buying and trading items. Farmers wheelbarrowing hay and food from place to place, messengers sprinting through the streets, women out with their children, who were always running about, playing in the dirt roads. There were paper lamps hanging from the corners of rooftops, the rooftops themselves strangely curved and arched. The windows much more advanced, some walls made of paper. There were many porches and balcony's, beautiful gardens and displays of flowers.
"This entire city is bustling with people. We'll get noticed for sure. We stand out way too much." Alban brought up.
"You're right. We have to be as quick as we can. Take a look around, and try to find the manor where Airi could be staying at." Emora said rapidly.
"Um...I think I found it." Apollo was looking at the far end of the city, a large white and red building that looked like a small palace stood above the other buildings in the Province. It had a tall tower behind it, and pink cherry blossoms were visible in its yards.
People were beginning to take notice of the outsiders. They began to mumble and murmur amongst themselves in Japanese, their faces showing fear and suspicion.
"Jeez...The Japanese aren't too big on newcomers, are they? What're they saying, Katsue?" Cinder asked.
The Shinobi shifted uncomfortably. "I can barely hear them. But I did hear one of the children shout for their mother once they spotted us."
"I wonder why'd they be looking at us." Alban rubbed the back of his neck in confusion.
Elea picked up a ball she found at her feet. "Because we stand out like sore thumbs."
The Berserker turned to a small child, who was clutching the skirt of her mother. Both of them looking at the group of Heroes in fear.
Elea crouched onto one knee, holding out the ball to the small child, who was a little girl.
"This yours?" She asked.
The little girl shifted, feeling startled by Elea's strange voice that wasn't high pitched like most Japanese women. The language sounded strange to the girl, making her dig her face in her mother's skirt.
Katsue crouched next to Elea and pointed at the ball. The little girl looked at the Shinobi curiously.
"Anata no bōrudesu ka?" Katsue asked in a soft, high voice.
The little girl nodded. Katsue signaled for her to come to retrieve the ball, a genuine smile on her face. The child inched forward, looking Elea in the eyes as she held the ball out. She grabbed onto the ball slowly, keeping eye contact with the observing Berserker.
"There you go, kid." Elea winked.
The little girl yelped as she ran back to her mother, holding her ball.
Elea and Katsue laughed as they stood up, hands on their hips.
"Sheesh. Not big on foreigners, that's for sure." Apollo shook his head.
"I guess not." Katsue shrugged. She looked around along with Emora and Alban, realizing that they were gaining more attention.
"We should split up and make it to that manor. We'll meet up near the edge of the garden wall. It'll be easier to get there if we don't travel as a group. We'll get noticed less." Alban suggested.
"Alright. Let's go then, we got no time to lose." Cyrus urged.
"Be careful everyone," Emora said softly as all the Heroes dispersed, going in separate directions. The Warden exhaled underneath her helmet, jogging through the streets and in between houses.
"Holy shit, this is nerve-wracking..."
In the manor...
Within a living room sat the royal families of the Urutora and Seinaru clans. The furniture was fresh and comfortable, sturdy and clean. The walls and windows painted with designs and pictures. Paintings on the walls depicting beautiful landscapes and past Emperors and Empresses.
"Are you sure? Should we not give them more time to know one another more?" Emperor Atsuto asked.
The Emperor of the Seinaru Clan shook his head. "They were meant to be together! They knew each other before the initial proposal, everything will be fine. As soon as the joining of our clans takes place, the Myre will be changed forever. We can do great things together, and our legacies will live on through our proud and almighty children!"
Daigo and Airi sat together on a sofa made for two people, they were holding hands, both silent. Daigo held onto the Nobushi's hand tightly, a small smile on his face. Airi, on the other hand, did not have her fingers wrapped around her fiance's hand, she merely let it rest within his own. Her expression was depressed and downcast.
Airi's mother was sitting next to Atsuto, she looked at her daughter with a small frown.
"Are you okay, Airi? You don't look well." She asked.
"I'm fine, mother. Just a bit...Nervous...About the ceremony and all." Hakushi answered.
"There is nothing to worry about, I will be next to you through the entire thing. Once it's all over, the clans will be united, and the Dawn Empire will prosper under our leadership. The future holds great things for us, Airi." Daigo smiled warmly.
The man was not only Airi's future husband, but he was also a proud warrior. Since a young age, he was taught many types of advanced martial arts, and the honors of being a Samurai. Being trained under his father, who was a former battle Commander, he grew to be a prestigious and reputable Orochi.
Airi shifted uncomfortably.
"Yes...Of course."
The Nobushi's stomach was churning. She felt her face become red with desperation and angst. Her heart was aching, the simple act of being near Kaneko made her entire body tingle with tension. He was an honest, genuine young man who only wanted the best for his home and his people. Airi did not hate him, but at the same time, his priorities controlled him. The Orochi would likely disagree with anything that opposed the union of the Urutora and Seinaru clans.
Suddenly, guards could be heard yelling and running outside the closed doors of the living room. Stumbling and scrambling could be heard, panicked and surprised shouts rang out as the peace and quiet of the Manor was ruined. A guard broke into the room, a shocked look in his eyes.
"Excuse me! I am desperately sorry for interrupting you all, but there seems to be some type of disturbance outside of the civil grounds, near the gardens. We are sending guards to stop the situation, but we thought you all should know."
Atusto tilted his head in disbelief, his wife doing the same. The Emperor and Empress of the Seinaru Clan sat in their chairs, completely silent, their expressions off-guard. Daigo was half standing up, his face concerned. Airi's lips were parted in curiosity, she stood up and left Daigo on the chair.
"May I go check what it is?" She asked.
"Of course not!" Emperor Atsuto answered he stood up from his chair in dominance.
The Nobushi's stance cowered as she felt herself shrink. Her father may be a noble, gentle, and fair man, but he was also powerful and intimidating, as he was respected throughout the entire Myre.
"I can go check for you, darling. Emperor Atsuto, would you like to come as well? I assume it would be important for you to know about the people attacking your estate." Daigo announced as he put his hand on Airi's shoulder, she shifted a bit but stayed silent.
"Yes, guards! Escort us to where this is happening. I would like to meet these daring infiltrators." Atsuto said firmly.
The Guard bowed in response. "Right away, Emperor. Please, follow me."
The Guard led Daigo and Atsuto through the halls and large rooms of the Hakushi Manor. They reached a large doorway that led outside. The 'backyard' of the Manor was a large display of greenery and trees, with ancient Samurai structures that were still standing among the grass and moss, their red and yellow paint faded and chipped. Out back, a large outlook tower was located, a long spiral staircase leading up to the top, where all of the Hakushi Province could be seen. Past the tower was the back exit, and private escape for the inhabitants of the Emperor's Manor that led out into the open Myre, in case of an attack.
It would not be used today.
Outside the Manor...
The guard, Daigo, and Emperor Atsuto walked out onto a bridge that overlooked a small section of the royal gardens, which were extraordinarily large, and surrounded the entirety of the Manor, excluding the main entrance. They spotted the Emperor's two private guards and assassins, Zhao the Aramusha, and Kiyoshi the Shinobi, the two most elite and feared fighters of the Myre.
"Zhao! Kiyoshi! What's going on down there?!" Atsuto yelled out to them.
Both of them turned around, their arms crossed, their faces covered by their masks. Their black and gold robes shined in the sun, their weapons glistened at their sides. Neither of them responded as both were men of little words. Instead, a guard that was nearby answered for them.
"Emperor! T-There seems to be infiltrators in the Royale Gardens! We have set the entire Manor on lockdown with elite Kensei guards, there's no way they're getting in!" The man yelled.
The Emperor looked at Daigo with a raised eyebrow.
"Who are they, soldier?" Daigo asked.
The Guard shook his head.
"We are not sure, Lord Kaneko! But they are not all Samurai bandits, like usual! They seem to be...Well...Most of them seem to be Knights, my Lord! But there are also some of our own in the group, as well as the savages from the North Mountains, Vikings, my Lord! All dressed in black, we cannot identify them!" The Guard responded.
Daigo rubbed his chin. Suddenly, a Knight bearing black-iron armor and a long sword sprinted around the corner, her boots splashing on the fairly muddy ground. She passed underneath a small shrine and sprinted forward as two Samurai guards pursued her.
"What the—" Daigo exclaimed.
"Who is she?" Emperor Atsuto said in surprise.
Zhao and Kiyoshi put their arms on their sides, both of them alert for an attack. The Guard sprinted forward with his katana out. Everyone watched as the Knight disposed of the three guards as if they were nothing put peasants. She panted heavily as she looked ahead, her vision darting between all the different Samurai.
"Oh, shit..."
Just then, two more Knights, both also bearing black-iron armor and wielding longswords dashed around the corner, panting heavily.
"Emora! We've been had! We should get out of here as quickly as possible!" One of the Knights yelled.
"Come on! We'll get overrun! Emora, let's go!" The other Knight yelled. This one was a woman.
The front Knight turned to them and raised her hand in the air.
"Go back the other way! The others need your help! I'll run back if I find another way in!" She yelled.
The two other Knights shook their heads. "You need to get out of here too!"
The front Knight once again yelled at her two allies. "We're already in here, we're doing this! If you want to leave, then go ahead! I came here for my own reason; you didn't have to come with me! If you don't want to help, then just leave! I'm going to find her on my own if I have to!"
"E-Emora..." The male Knight stammered.
"Cinder, she's right."
The female Knight turned to the front Knight, her voice gentle. "Okay, Emora. We'll go help the others. But I doubt there is another entrance besides the front door. If you find one though...You have to run back and tell us, okay? Please...Be careful."
The front Knight nodded. "I will, thank you, Cindra. And Cinder, I didn't mean to offend you. But...I have to do this. Tell the others that if they find a way in, to TAKE IT! We can meet up inside the Manor. Chances are she'll end up coming to us if these Samurai are going to evacuate."
"Alright. These gardens are huge though, almost like a miniature Myre, so watch out for traps and ambushes. But for now..."
The male Knight looked up at the Samurai that were watching the situation.
"Take care of the ones in front of you." He finished. With short waves, the two Knights turned around and sprinted around the corner of the Manor, back towards the front. They jumped over fallen trees and roots as they disappeared.
The blonde-haired Knight now stood alone, her ponytail resting on her shoulder. She looked up at the Samurai who were looking down on her.
"Nice to meet you all..." She said nervously.
Daigo and Atsuto huffed.
"And just who are you, Knight?" The Emperor asked.
The Knight straightened her figure and stuck her sword into the ground.
"My name is Emora Ryon. That's all you really have to know."
Daigo tilted his head.
"Why are you here? Along with your little...Brigade of warriors?" He asked.
Emora took a deep breath. "Why should I tell you? I know for a fact the Samurai is against what I'm doing, considering that something really important is happening soon."
Daigo and Atsuto exchanged glances. Kaneko turned back to Emora, a serious look in his eyes.
"Just how do you know of these important events? What is it you've heard?" The Orochi asked.
"I know that the Urutora and Seinaru Clans are being united quite soon. By the marriage of Airi Hakushi and Daigo Kaneko. My cause for being here is to talk to one of the two, and tell them something I should've told them a long time ago."
Daigo's eyes widened with shock. Atsuto shook his head in disbelief.
"How do you know this?" He asked. Daigo put his hand on the Emperor's shoulder, his grip strong. He looked at Emora with an intimidating gaze.
"I am Daigo Kaneko. And this is the Emperor of the Urutora Clan himself, Atsuto Hakushi. Airi Hakushi's very own father." The Orochi said firmly.
Emora froze up. Her eyes widened and her jaw dropped behind her visor. She felt her throat tighten as her guard fell, and she took a few steps back. The Warden closed her eyes tightly, trying to overcome the massive headache that had suddenly come over her.
"D-Daigo..."
The Orochi shifted.
"Let me ask you once more, Knight. Why are you here, and how did you get this information?" He asked loudly.
Emora clutched her fist and longsword. She looked up at Daigo, her breathing deep and slow.
"I'm here to claim Airi Hakushi's heart. And ask for her hand in marriage." The Warden said firmly.
Daigo and Atsuto yelled out in surprise. Even Zhao and Kiyoshi exchanged short looks as they turned to Emora with confused stares.
"NANDA—What the hell did you just say?!" Daigo shouted.
"You? A Knight? Marry my daughter?! NEVER! Not after what you have done! I do not even know who you are, rogue!" Atsuto yelled.
Emora fell onto her knees; she took off her helmet and held it on her lap. She looked up, tears in her eyes, her jaw shaking.
"Please Emperor Atusto...I beg of you! Airi has told me of how kind and generous you can be...She was the one who told me all of this herself! She trusts me, Emperor...I...I used to be her lover! But...Something went wrong...And I made her do this. Emperor Atsuto, you have to understand...I'm NOTHING without your daughter! I've fallen in love with her...And I won't leave until I get some type of closure with her! Please your highness...I beg of you...Let me speak to her! At least let me hold and kiss her one last, final time!" The Warden pleaded.
Daigo was twitching with fury, Zhao and Kiyoshi dead silent, both of them emanating an aura of pure death. The Emperor himself was wide-eyed and stunned.
"I...I have never heard of any of this. My daughter has never even spoken your name...Ever. Has she spoken of this Knight to you, Daigo?" Atsuto asked.
The Orochi slowly shook his head. "But it doesn't matter! Airi and I are getting married later today, at sundown! The shrine will be lit and our blood will be eternally bonded together under the spirits of our mighty ancestors! Our clans will fuse and the Dawn Empire will rise up from the ashes and claim its spot as the strongest power in this world! The gods themselves will favor us, and the Myre will flourish as it once did, brighter than ever! And I won't let someone like you, a Knight, ruin that future for us, Samurai, over some stupid, broken love!" Daigo yelled.
At that moment, Emora's sadness turned to rage. Her hatred for Daigo sparked, her entire soul became drowned in dark energy that consumed the Warden's, golden heart. Her body tensed up with strength as she felt something charge up in her chest. Her eyes dilated as she stood up and opened her mouth, her throat strained and throbbed as she released a furious yell from deep within her gut.
Atusto and Daigo stepped back after hearing such a noise. Zhao and Kiyoshi closed their eyes and shook their heads, trying to shake the ringing in their ears.
"My love for Airi may be broken...But what I'm trying to do here today is take my last chance to try and fix it! Don't you dare call something like that stupid! Not when it's that important to me!" Emora yelled.
"I stand by what I said! I won't let you ruin this opportunity for the entire Samurai people!"
Emora shook her head desperately. She turned to Emperor Atsuto, who was silent and idle.
"Please your highness...I'm only trying to fix things with her! All I want to do is talk...And if she doesn't accept me...If she denies my love...Then I'll leave in peace. She can marry Daigo and live her life without me. Hell, I don't think I'll even want to live anymore if that happens. You can kill me if she rejects my confession..." The Warden said solemnly.
The Emperor's soft, nurturing side came into play. He suddenly felt sad for Emora, realizing how much his daughter truly meant to someone who wasn't family. He had always pitied the fact that he would have to force the marriage of his daughter with Daigo, not giving her the opportunity to choose her own love. He closed his eyes and sighed, shaking his head.
"All you want to do is that?" He asked.
Daigo turned to the Emperor, shocked. "You cannot seriously be considering this, your highness! No!"
"Silence, Kaneko. Knight, answer my question." Atsuto said firmly.
Emora nodded her head.
"I just...I just want to tell her how much I love her...How much I need her. That's all...I want her to love me, but if she won't...Then...That's that I guess..." The Warden murmured.
Atsuto narrowed his eyes.
"And if my daughter accepts your love...What will happen then? Will the fusion of the Urutora and Seinaru Clans be forever canceled?" The Emperor asked.
Emora shook her head rapidly. "No! No! I came into this with that in mind, your highness! We can work something out to fuse the clans another way, I know we can! There has to be another way to do it besides marriage, right?"
The Emperor nodded his head. Just then, two voices called out to him, catching his attention.
"Atsuto? Is everything alright?" His wife called out to him.
"Father? What's going on?" Airi asked, standing next to her mother.
Guarding the two women was Daigo's trusted childhood friend, who had become a royal guard, sworn to protect the ones in power. He was a Kensei of the highest prestige, almost as skilled as Zhao and Kiyoshi themselves.
The two walked out onto the bridge, their voices were worried and concerned. Airi turned to look below at who her father was speaking to. As soon as their eyes met, Airi and Emora both froze immediately.
Daigo's eye was twitching as he watched the situation unfold. His friend was standing next to him, along with the guard that had escorted him in the first place. Atsuto and his wife both watched as Airi's eyes were fixed on Emora.
Both of the girls struggled to compose any words as they stared at one another.
"W-Who is she?" Airi's mother asked.
Atsuto smiled. "Our daughter's true love."
Airi walked forward and leaned over the railing of the bridge, her hand dangling off the edge. Emora slowly walked forward and got up underneath the bridge, she lifted her hand up into the air and left it suspended.
The Nobushi quietly moaned as she stretched down, her heart beating too quickly for common sense.
"I...I can't reach you..." She sobbed quietly.
Emora exhaled a long, desperate breath. "That's fine..."
For a few seconds, the Heroes stared at each other, taking in each other's beautiful faces and longing stares. Finally, they blinked into reality, both of them crying tears of joy.
"Emora! Emora you came! I don't believe it...You came for me!"
"I would never leave you, never! Airi, please...Please talk to me again!"
Daigo was shaking with rage.
"No...No! I won't let this happen!"
Atsuto turned to Daigo, his expression confused.
"What're you talking about?"
The Orochi grit his teeth in anger.
"The only true way of fusing two clans together is through spiritual marriage! Through the joining and union of two royal bloodlines! The Hakushi's and The Kaneko's need to come together in order to combine our two clans! And if Airi won't marry me...If she won't go through with the marriage...Then that can't happen!"
Atsuto turned to his wife, who was shaking her head. Tears of happiness in her eyes, having seen her daughter be so happy gave her enormous joy.
He shook his head. "We've decided to let Airi make her own decision. We can find another way."
Daigo shook his head. "No...NO! You stupid Knight...YOU'VE RUINED EVERYTHING!"
Airi turned around in fear; Emora's gaze fell onto Daigo, who was flooded in rage.
"GIVE ME THAT!"
The Orochi snatched his guard's katana, making everyone, even Zhao and Kiyoshi exclaim out in surprise.
"The Dawn Empire needs to earn its rightful place in the world! The Myre was supposed to prosper under the leadership of the Saikyō Clan! But if it can't...Then so be it! Forget the Urutora Clan, and forget the Hakushi's! The Myre shall rise up with the power of the Seinaru Clan, and the Seinaru Clan alone!"
"What?!" Atsuto gasped.
"DAIGO, NO!" Airi cried.
In the blink of an eye, Daigo stuck his sword through Atsuto's stomach. The Emperor gutted out with blood, his face mortified. His body fell forward, completely limp. With another swift strike, Daigo stuck his katana through the heart of Airi's mother. She let out a short yelp before falling over the railing and down onto the ground below.
Zhao and Kiyoshi looked up, their eyes wide. Airi was on her knees, crying loudly and uncontrollably.
"MOTHER! FATHER! NOO!" The Nobushi cried.
Daigo turned to his friend, who was standing quietly behind him.
"Raiko, please take care of that Knight. She's nothing but an idiot thinking she could get in the way of my plan." He said firmly.
The Kensei nodded his head. He jumped over the railing of the bridge and rolled as soon as he hit the ground. He stood before Emora, his sword over his shoulder.
"As for you two." Daigo turned to Zhao and Kiyoshi.
"If you work for me, you shall be repaid with riches far greater than those Atsuto could've ever given you." He grinned.
With no words in response, the two assassins paused and looked at one another. They looked up at Daigo, hesitant. But after a few seconds, they slowly bowed in respect.
"Good. You can come with me then, as my new private guards. And...As for you..."
Daigo grabbed Airi by the arm tightly, making her cry out in pain.
Emora's entire body pulsed with fury. "DON'T TOUCH HER!"
Daigo laughed as Airi stood in his grasp, crying miserably.
"I need an Empress. And she's going to be it. Isn't that right, Airi?"
He grabbed the Nobushi's chin, and forcefully pulled her close. Airi's eyes widened as she felt Daigo sloppily kiss her. She whimpered and moaned furiously, squirming and flailing to try and get loose, but the Orochi's grasp was far too strong.
Emora watched in horror, her eyes burning with rage. Her face grew red, her eyelids twitched, her veins throbbed with anger. Tears of detest trickled down her face. She watched as Daigo sucked back on Airi's bottom lip and pulled back, a large grin on his face.
"I'll tell you one thing, Knight. She's definitely a good kisser."
Emora burst.
"Y-YOU BASTARD! I'LL RIP YOU APART, YOU PIECE OF SHIT! COME HERE! COME HERE, YOU FUCKING PRICK! I'LL DESTROY YOU! I'LL REDUCE YOU TO DUST!"
She charged forward, only to get pushed back by the Kensei.
"GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME! DAIGOOOO!"
The Orochi held Airi in his grasp; he was talking with some of his guards. The Nobushi was panting heavily, looking at Emora with dull eyes. Daigo's kiss had drained her of all her dignity. She shook her head slowly, her lips quivering with terror. She reached out for the Warden and mouthed one single word that caused the Knight's heart to turn from black with rage, to golden with vengeance.
"Help."
The Warden gasped. She watched as Daigo laughed and turned to look at her once more.
"It was a good attempt, but I'm afraid it's no use. I've made my decision, and it's final. I will be the savior of the Samurai people. Raiko, kill her."
"NO! EMORA! EMORAA!" Airi cried as she was taken away by Daigo. Zhao and Kiyoshi got up on the bridge and walked after him.
"AIRI! I'LL COME FIND YOU!" Emora cried.
She turned to the Kensei in front of her, her eyes narrowed.
"I was ordered to kill you. By the new Ruler of the Dawn Empire, Daigo Kaneko." Raiko said firmly as he got into a battle stance.
Emora huffed. "You're in my way. I have someone I love that needs my help, and I won't let you stop me. Not only that but what Daigo is doing is wrong. I'll make sure he doesn't succeed. I'll stop him, and bring justice to the Hakushi family, and the Urutora Clan."
The Kensei shook his head. "We'll see about that."
Emora got into a battle stance.
"That we will."
Meanwhile...
"Where the hell is Emora?" Alban yelled as he cut down three Samurai guards.
Elea dropkicked a guard into the ground, killing him instantly. She performed a backward kick-up, twirled around, and struck another in the neck. She then used her left axe to send a third guard onto his back. She came down with her right axe onto the guard's stomach, his death-cry was loud and painful.
The Berserker stood up and laughed.
"I'm not sure! But wherever she is, she's missin' out!"
The Berserker grabbed a tomahawk from her belt and launched at a Samurai, hitting him right between the eyes.
Alban shook his head; he stood in a circle with his other allies in the center of a large garden. The ground was wet with rain-water, the trees and bushes around them gave the Samurai many ambush points, but the circle of Heroes was too tightly guarded.
Cinder and Cindra stood back to back, covering each other and killing one another's targets. Cyrus and Apollo covered the outer rim, massacring the amateur level guards. Elea ran around, killing everything in her path, while Alban stood stationary, killing only those who came his way and around his allies. Katsue was using her ranged kusarigama to strategically pull her enemies away from her friends, and into her deadly grasp.
A loud voice came from a balcony that could be seen through the trees. On it stood Daigo, Zhao, and Kiyoshi. The new Emperor looked angry; he raised his hand in the air to signal his assassins to go forth.
"Kill them all. I know you can do it."
The two warriors exchanged glances and gave Daigo a single nod each. They got up on the railing and dived off, performing a swift somersault in the air, and landing with their fists planted into the ground. They rolled forward, brushing off the landing, and stood up, their weapons unsheathed.
"These guys look serious..." Cinder panted.
"Gh!" Cindra pushed a dead guard off of her sword and turned towards the two fighters. "Whew...Huh? Who're they?"
Apollo huffed and cracked his neck; he walked forward, standing in the middle of his other allies. "There's seven of us and only two of them. We can take em, come on."
Zhao and Kiyoshi stretched and cracked their joints. Zhao twirled his two blades around, while Kiyoshi spun both of his kusarigama's together, using the chains as a jump rope.
"The hell is this, a circus?" Elea laughed.
Suddenly, both of the assassins rushed forward at a blinding speed. They dove into battle, their eyes set on their opponents.
"GO!" Alban yelled.
Zhao dashed to the side, dug his foot into the ground, arched his leg, and then launched forward with tremendous force. He clashed blades with Cinder, whose arms vibrated with the force of the impact.
"What the?!" He exclaimed. The Commander retreated, but not fast enough. Zhao brought his sword down on his chest, cutting down his torso, and causing Cinder to lash out in pain. The Aramusha back-kicked him bluntly, sending him flying back.
"CINDER!" A voice yelled out.
Zhao turned to look at Cindra, who was charging forward at full speed. She paused and lowered her stance, rushing forward in a shoulder charge. The Aramusha swiftly side-stepped the attack, launched his kneecap into the Commander's gut, then spun around and crashed his heel into the side of her head, knocking her to the ground with horrifying speed. He rushed forward towards Alban, who was standing in guard.
"SHIT!"
The Highlander managed to block two of the Aramusha's attacks before falling victim to a flying knee-cap that hit him in the jaw. His head flew up into the air as he staggered back, gritting his teeth in pain. He watched as Zhao landed, and flung his leg up into the air. With a powerful up-kick, Alban flew up into the air and fell onto his back, almost completely blacked out.
During all of this, Kiyoshi was dealing with four opponents. He dodged, ducked, and weaved through all of their attacks with precision and agility. He flew up into the air and launched his foot right into Cyrus' throat.
"CAUH!" The golden Warden croaked, he staggered back, trying to breathe through his mouth.
The Shinobi turned and threw his fist up, upper-cutting Elea, and sending her hurtling back into a tree. He turned to Apollo, who threw his own fist forward, and after missing, he slashed his sword out three times. By kicking the Centurion's kneecap, Kiyoshi was able to force Apollo onto one knee. He finishing spinning and launched his right leg towards the fighter's head. Surprisingly, the Centurion was able to barely block the attack with his forearm.
"Hm." Kiyoshi hummed.
"HA! GOT YOU!" Apollo remarked, but the victory was short-lived. Almost right after, Kiyoshi pulled his leg back and instead kicked upwards with his left leg. Apollo grunted out in pain, he fell onto his back, groaning. The Shinobi faced his own kind as Katsue stood before him.
Zhao rallied back to back with Kiyoshi, both of them not even breathing heavily after fighting. They watched as all the Heroes slowly stood back up.
"What the hell...Agh! Their attacks fuckin' hurt..." Cyrus groaned.
Elea cracked her neck back into place as she stood up. "How...H-How are they so fast? They hit hard and firm...We've taken too much damage already..."
Cinder and Cindra helped each other up; they looked at the Samurai Heroes in terror.
"Their fighting styles...The martial arts they use...It's way more advanced than the fighting we're used to seeing. We're simply far too slow to compete..." Cinder panted.
"Fuck...They can perfectly analyze our guards and find the exact opening where they can deal the most amount of damage in the shortest amount of time...It's amazing." Cindra moaned, holding her side.
Zhao and Kiyoshi turned to Katsue, who was the only one they hadn't fought.
"Zehi." Zhao said quietly.
"Watashitachi to tatakau." Kiyoshi finished his allies' sentence for him.
Katsue got into a battle stance; she whipped her ponytail back and forth and winked.
"Daijōbu."
"Katsue, no! Their attacks are too fast! Their kicks are almost impossible to see!" Alban shouted.
Katsue laughed.
"Did you forget? I'm a Samurai too. I know their martial arts. Plus...If they throw kicks...Just throw them back."
She rushed forward, Kiyoshi and Zhao did the same. Everyone watched as the three Samurai traded and blocked hits. Slowly, Katsue began to lose ground as she began to get pushed back by the fast-paced, repeated attacks of the two assassins. But the more she blocked, the more she parried, the sharper her senses got, and the sharper her battle instincts became. She began to get a rough pattern, and when it was finally time, she retaliated.
"HAH!" She yelled out.
"Nani?" Zhao yelped.
Katsue used her kusarigama to cut the Aramusha's arm, causing him to drop one of his swords. Kiyoshi attacked with his own but was only deflected and pushed back. Katsue swiftly kicked Zhao in the stomach, knocking him back. She turned to Kiyoshi and dashed to the left.
"K-Kuso!" He exclaimed as he recognized the technique Katsue was using. He managed to get back into stance to see the move get executed in clear vision.
In the blink of an eye, Katsue disappeared from sight in a small cloud of smoke. Zhao gasped as he jumped back, completely on guard.
"WHAT?!" Elea yelled.
"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Cyrus exclaimed.
"HOW?!" Alban shouted.
"WHERE IS SHE?!" Cindra cried.
"THAT ISN'T POSSIBLE!" Cinder bellowed.
"THE HELL'S GOING ON!?" Apollo howled.
Kiyoshi grit his teeth in anger as he turned around, but by the time he spun, it was too late. As if out of thin air, Katsue appeared in mid-air, her foot propelling forward. With a loud crack, she landed a devastating kick to the enemy Shinobi's head.
"GAH!"
Kiyoshi flew to the side and rolled into a tree. Zhao rushed forward to avenge the brutal hit. He let out a scream of panic as Katsue leaped to the right and disappeared in smoke again. She appeared behind him and kicked him in the back.
"HAH!"
Keeping up her speed, Katsue ran forward and twirled around, throwing her kusarigama forward. It latched onto Zhao's shoulder, causing him to grunt in pain. The Shinobi pulled back, causing the Aramusha to stumble forward. Just as he thought Katsue was about to grab him, she disappeared once more and appeared behind him. She jumped into the air and landed a hard-impact jump-kick to the center of Zhao's back, sending him flying into the tree, and onto the ground next to Kiyoshi.
Katsue back flipped twice to put some ground between the fighters. She exhaled deeply and brushed herself off, a stern look in her eyes.
"Hayasugiru?" She asked.
Zhao and Kiyoshi both slowly stood up, finally showing signs of exhaustion. They took deep breaths to calm their panting and brushed themselves off once fully recovered. They both looked at Katsu with firm gazes, their eyes reflecting their feelings of excitement.
"Inshō-teki." Zhao said firmly.
"Saigo ni. Yoi aite." Kiyoshi chuckled.
The two warriors got into battle stances as they took their last deep breaths, both now fully recovered and breathing normally.
Katsue got into a battle stance as well, along with her other allies.
"What're they saying...Katsue?" Alban asked.
The Shinobi smiled underneath her mask.
"Ask them yourself."
Alban looked up at the two assassins.
"What're you saying to our ally?" Alban asked, his voice deep and powerful.
Zhao and Kiyoshi turned to the Highlander, both with their heads tilted.
"She is an impressive fighter. One of the best we have seen in a long time." Zhao responded.
"She made us break a sweat, which is impressive. Finally, we have found someone worthy of a good fight." Kiyoshi huffed.
Katsue giggled.
"Thank you." She said politely.
"Of course. Now, show us what else you can do." Zhao huffed.
"Yes, let us see how you can do when we're both serious." Kiyoshi followed up.
"Oh? Alright then. I guess I might as well get serious too." Katsue teased.
The two assassins chuckled.
"Let us begin."
Meanwhile...
Emora flew back into a wall. She collided with it, releasing a loud cry of pain. She opened her eyes to see a sword heading straight towards her.
"HAH!"
She dodged the attack and plunged her fist into the Kensei's stomach, causing him to gut out in agony, and stagger back, doubled over.
"RAAH!"
Emora upper-cut the Kensei using her sword. A fine line of blood flailed into the sky after the attack. She pushed forward and spun around with her sword out in front of her. Her blade dug into the Samurai's side, gashing a deep cut on his body. The Warden ripped her sword out and raised it to strike again, but this time, Raiko was ready.
"HUAH!"
The Kensei parried the attack and struck Emora with the long pommel of his Odachi. She fumbled back, stunned and disoriented. She felt as her chest was stabbed twice by the tip of her opponent's sword, and then slashed across. She opened her eyes, regaining her bearings, and readying her blade. She watched Raiko's blade hurdled towards her.
"TCH!"
Emora parried the attack and punched the Kensei square in the face. The Warden struck Raiko with her hilt, flipped her sword over, and struck him again on his side.
"AAHHUUGH!"
Raiko kicked the blade upwards, leaving Emora guard-broken. He back-kicked the Warden back, blood flying out of her mouth from the force.
"GAUH!" Emora cried. She watched as Raiko charged forward, his Odachi scraping against the ground.
"FUCK!"
She reached out, attempting to grab the Samurai by the neck. She missed as he side-stepped to the left, passing his long blade through the entirety of Emora's lower waist. Blood spilled out and onto the ground, coloring the muddy water with a dark red tint. She cried out in pain as Raiko thrust his blade into her shoulder, pulled it upwards, and prepared to bring it down on her neck.
"NOO!"
Emora raised her sword to parry, leaving her open. Raiko faked the attack and took a massive advantage. He struck the Warden's side with a clean, deep slash, and then kicked her with massive strength.
"AUUGH!"
Emora flew to the side, blood pouring from her wounds. She rolled to a stop, and got up on all fours, clutching her sword. She stabbed it into the ground and got up one knee, struggling to stand.
"Ggh...Tah...Raiko...You don't have to do this..." She panted.
"I've been ordered to kill you. That is what I plan on doing."
Emora shook her head; she got up on her feet, panting heavily.
"What Daigo is doing is wrong! Don't you see...? He killed the Emperor and Empress of the Urutora Clan! When people find out...They'll be at a loss! This isn't right and you know it..." The Warden argued.
The Kensei shook his head.
"The Seinaru Clan is all the Myre needs to prosper. I stand for my people, and I will not let you ruin Daigo's vision for the Dawn Empire's future."
Emora had recovered her stamina and was ready to attack.
"You're blind, Raiko. Sword Saint? More like a Sword Demon."
"NANI!?" Raiko roared.
The two charged forward at each other, their swords raised. The two clanged their swords together and swept past one another. Emora turned around faster and managed to cut the Kensei's thigh with a deep cut. Raiko grunted out in pain, nearly falling onto one knee. Emora took quick advantage and slashed up the Kensei's body, and grabbed her sword by the blade with her armored gauntlet. She struck Raiko with the pommel of her sword, knocking his head down. She then half-sworded her blade into the Kensei's chest and lifted him up.
"HRAH!"
Emora kicked the Kensei back with all her strength. He gut out in pain as blood flew out from his mask. He spat and coughed as he fell onto his back. He performed a kick-up, taking Emora by surprise.
He rushed forward and began to throw attacks, Emora blocking them. She dug her heel into the ground, and faked a shoulder charge, causing the Kensei to dash. She quickly grabbed ahold of his arm and swung him into a wall. She dug her sword into the Samurai's back, her teeth grit in effort.
"AAAHHHH!"
Raiko struck the Warden with his backhand, and then followed up with a brutal, harsh, unforgiving sucker punch. Emora spat out blood and wiped her nose clean. She moaned in exhaustion as lifted her sword to block an incoming attack. Sparks flew everywhere as the two warriors traded blows and clashed blades.
Raiko snuck in a small cut underneath Emora's soft under-arm, causing her to yelp out in pain. He turned his blade around and slashed her thigh, nearly bringing the Warden to her knees. He brought his sword down to the ground and lashed it up into the air.
Emora felt as the blade ran up her body and cut her right cheek. Blood seeped from her face as she closed her right eye in pain. She watched as Raiko turned around and impaled the Warden through the stomach, the Kensei facing the opposite direction, his sword backward.
Blood leaked out of Emora's cheek and gushed and squirted from her mouth. She dropped her longsword as she slid forward on Raiko's blade. She grabbed onto it tightly using her gauntlets, trying to stop herself.
"GNHGH! HNNGHHAHH!" Emora whimpered.
"A-Ah...Auuhh...Gck—Cauhaa...Tnh—Uahh! F-Fuck...Tch...Ngh...Gahaa...RAAHHH!"
Emora pulled back on the blade, taking the Kensei by surprise. He pulled the opposite direction, causing the Warden to fall forward, face first onto the ground.
She lay on her stomach, panting rapidly, gasping for air.
"You've failed, Knight. You cannot defeat me. Your fighting may be precise and blunt, but it's too brash and straight forward. My moves are more complex. While yours are too linear and readable."
Emora's arms trembled under her weight. She slowly lifted her body up off of the ground and looked up at the Kensei.
"I'm basic...That's what you're saying?"
The Kensei nodded.
"I'll end it quickly."
Emora felt the cold metal of his Odachi touch the back of her neck. Her eyes widened as she envisioned herself headless, a colossal pool of blood flushing from her neck.
The Warden exhaled as she rolled to the left and scrambled to her feet.
"NO! I won't lose!"
Emora rushed forward, Raiko roared out in annoyance as he did the same. He whipped his blade forward and gasped out in utter shock as Emora blocked it using the thick forearm armor on her gauntlet.
"THAT ARMOR!" Raiko shouted out.
"Far better than yours!" Emora yelled as she clawed the Kensei's blade to the side, and clocked him right on the side of the head. She reeled her fist back and plunged it into the Samurai's soft underbelly. Internal bleeding caused the Raiko's body to freeze and become numb. Blood shot out of his mask once again and sprayed onto his own face. He looked up at Emora, his eyes dilated in agonizing pain.
"N-Nan...Da...To...?"
Emora smiled as she palm-striked the Kensei on the center of his face. Blood splatted out as he launched backward into a wall.
"GCKAAHH!" He cried out.
Emora yelled out in strength as she rushed forward and swooped up her sword. She stabbed the Kensei in the stomach and pushed forward on it with all her strength. The amount of blood exiting Raiko's mouth knocked his mask off and left him gasping and sucking for breath. He yelled out in pain as he used the last of his strength to try and push Emora off of him.
"Get...OFF!"
The Kensei began to punch to Warden in the gut multiple times. With every hit, Emora released a desperate moan of pain. She grit her teeth to try and suppress her screams and absorb the hits, but the Samurai's blows kept getting sharper.
"Uh! UAH! Tch—UH! Tgh—AGH! GUH! UUAH! CRLAH! UHAHAAH!"
Emora staggered back, moaning in pain. She shook her head, trying to brush off the numb feeling in her stomach. Raiko rushed forward, he jumped into the air in a dropkick.
"AAH!"
Emora put her arms in a cross in front of her, she felt as Raiko's body weight pushed back on her, his feet colliding with her guard. The Warden slid back, her boots leaving tracks in the mud as she put her arms down. She looked at them and realized that they were shaking, her hands unable to remain still. She clutched them and looked up at the Kensei.
"The amount of force in that kick was amazing...My arms are numb because of it."
The Samurai got up onto his feet, he spat blood out onto the ground and continued to pant desperately. He glared at Emora, who was only panting through her mouth moderately.
"Your stamina is impressive...How do you keep it up for this long...?"
The Warden straightened and rubbed her arms. "I've fought longer battles than the one I've fought with you. The problem with the Samurai is that they are trained to eliminate their opponents quickly and efficiently. The problem comes when they can't do that. The second they encounter an enemy who can keep up with their high-energy fighting style, they crumble in the long run."
Raiko felt insulted and intimidated. "Tgh...That's not true..."
Emora shrugged. "You're denying the truth, and you know it. The high-intensity martial arts that the Samurai utilize may be fast and powerful, but the trade-off is the amount of stamina and energy it costs to keep up. The amount of substantial physical strain becomes overwhelming, and you begin to tire halfway through the battle. That's why Samurai warriors are so relentless. They need to take out their enemy quickly before it's too late. You tried doing the same. I'm heavily wounded, but you couldn't land an effective finishing move due to my guard and experience fighting your kind. And now...Near the end-stage...You're weak and groggy. My endurance is far greater than yours. You've lost."
The angry Samurai grit his teeth in anger, he sucked in air through his teeth, his muscles pulsing with exhaustion. "I'll show you...WHO THE WEAK ONE REALLY IS!"
Raiko threw his fist forward, only for it to get knocked aside by Emora. He launched his kneecap upwards, but the Warden placed her palms in the way to block it. She pushed his knee down and lifted her own.
The kneecaps of the two warriors cracked together as they used the same maneuver. They yelled out in pain as they staggered back, jumping up and down, holding their legs.
"OW! FUCK!" Emora lashed out.
"GHH! Kuso...KARA-GA!"
"Huh?!"
Emora watched as the Kensei's leg flew in an arc towards her head, a powerful roundhouse kick heading towards her in a crippling blow. She reacted quickly and countered with her own kick. Her leg matched the angle of Raiko's as their shins clashed together simultaneously.
"AH!"
"UH!"
They reeled back and thrust their fists forward. Their knuckles smashed into each other at full force, but unfortunately for Raiko, his hand wasn't armored with spiked metal. He took a few steps back, his fist bleeding.
"Blasted steel...FUCK!"
"RAAH!" Emora rushed forward, not letting up her attack.
Raiko persevered through the pain of his hand and charged forward, heading straight towards the Warden. Their opposite forearms made contact; pain rang out in the arms of both fighters as they pressed them together tightly, their faces pursed in effort behind their arms, staring at each other with eyes full of intent.
Emora and Raiko both pushed forward, at an amazingly fast pace, they traded blows and dodged each other's punches. Bursts of pain and discomfort struck sharply in many places around the body, vision would be knocked out for a split second as a punch connected with the face.
"TSK—TAH!"
Due to the Kensei's pain in his fist, higher exhaustion, and lower overall morale, Emora gained the upper hand with a powerful right hook. She gut-punched the Kensei, causing his body to fold, and finally, with amazing speed, Emora turned and back-kicked the Kensei in the chest, knocking the wind right out of his lungs, and rendered him stamina-broken. Raiko fell back into a wall; he slid down it, desperately trying to intake oxygen.
He looked up at the Warden with teary eyes.
"...No...This can't be..."
Emora panted as she stood in front of him. The Kensei put his head down.
"Despite your heavier weapon...Heavier armor...And overall smaller build...You're stronger...And faster...You're a Knight with the speed of a Samurai...Who would've thought..."
Emora huffed. "Just because I can kick faster than most Knights doesn't mean I can perfectly fight Samurai. There is still a lot I don't know of your fighting techniques. But sparring with Samurai back at my home Legion and practicing with Airi Hakushi herself helped me get a small glimpse of what it was like to fight one. I even managed to incorporate some of the Samurai's techniques and maneuvers into my own fighting style. And remember...I dragged out the fight. You lost your stamina as we continued. I gain the edge later in the encounter." The Warden explained.
"Yes...The speed and precision of our techniques...Combined with the natural superior strength and power of your kind...It creates the perfect warrior. Your armor is stronger...Your morale and reason to fight...Greater...And more honorable than mine. I'm a fool...You were destined to win this fight. W-Warden...?" Raiko asked.
"What is it?" Emora answered.
Raiko chuckled. "Shine!"
The Kensei launched a Kunai forward at Emora's kneecap. It merely bounced off of her steel kneepad with a light clink noise. The Samurai used the rest of his strength to launch forward and tackle the Warden.
He raised his fist and landed one firm punch for Emora's temple before the Warden gained control, and rolled the Kensei onto his back.
"Raiko! Stop!" Emora panted.
The Kensei shook his head. "NO! Tsk...I'll fight until the very end! That is how a true Samurai should die!"
"Hmh...No...Raiko, stop!" Emora yelled.
"RAAAHH!" The Kensei lunged forward, trying to strangle the Warden. Emora barely needed to try to repel the attack from the weak Samurai.
"Stop it! STOP!"
The Warden managed to get the Samurai into a headlock. He thrashed and twisted in her grasp, trying to get loose.
"FOR THE SEINARU CLAN!"
Raiko reached for his utility belt as he grabbed his last remaining Kunai. He stabbed it into Emora's leg with a vicious scream.
"AHHH!"
The Warden had had enough, she took a deep breath as she prepared to deliver her finisher. With a swift motion, Emora grabbed ahold of the Samurai's head and jerked it sideways, snapping his neck. The Warden took a single deep breath before standing and picking up her sword.
"Agh...Fuck..."
She gripped onto Raiko's Kunai and ripped it out of her leg. She let out a short yelp while doing so. She threw the small blade onto the ground, and looked around, trying to get her bearings. She decided to keep going around the Manor and continue searching for another entrance. She stumbled forward, slowly regaining her strength and energy.
"Airi...I'll find you. I'll stop Daigo. I'll find a way to help the Myre."
In the central plaza of the Hakushi Province...
Daigo stood atop a large stage, his royal guard and parents standing next to him. The majority of the people living in the Hakushi Province standing in the crowd, awaiting his speech. He spoke in Japanese, his tone that of fake sadness.
"People...Of the Hakushi Province. I bring to you, sad news. Emperor Atsuto and his wife, Empress Airina, have both been anonymously murdered. The Urutora Clan is left with absolutely no leaders."
The crowd burst out in shock. Many people began to cry and sob. Some began to yell and shout. Everyone showed clear sadness and sorrow for the sudden situation.
"Airi Hakushi, the daughter of the Emperor and Empress, will not marry me on behalf of the Urutora Clan...But instead, will become the new Empress of the Seinaru Clan."
The crowd seemed confused. They began to yell out and scream in rebellion. Almost right after, the royal guard began to suppress them.
"The Seinaru Clan will lead the Myre to a new age of prosperity and wealth! Instead of fusing with the Urutora Clan, we are making them a part of US! The Seinaru Clan will take all the armies, supplies, and riches that the Urutora Clan once had, and make it our own, in order to give us the resources needed to begin the Myre's enlightenment!"
The people of the province were in complete denial. It was obvious that the people were not happy, but they could do nothing against what the Seinaru Clan was now. By taking everything that the Urutora Clan once had, the Seinaru Clan was the ultimate power. The entire Myre would be ruled by Daigo's iron fist, and Airi would be forced to serve as his Empress.
"I've already sent out my messengers to notify other major clans, who will notify other smaller ones. Within a small amount of time, the entire Myre will become aware...That change...Is coming."
Standing next to Daigo was Airi, looking depressed and useless. People were yelling out her name in the crowd, begging for her to say something, but she couldn't. She saw no way to fix the problem that had been created.
The only solution she saw was to kill Daigo. She could not do it herself, for she would be under far too much surveillance. But someone could, and she knew exactly who could pull the Myre out of its sticky situation with Daigo and Seinaru Clan.
Her lover and knight in shining armor, Emora.
Sorry for the Kensei fight not being too long. But...I hate Kensei's almost as much as I hate Shamans... So... I didn't want to write about them too much, oops. I loved writing that Shinobi scene.
Anyway, please tell me what you guys thought of this half-ass chapter.
