[This means Japanese]
(This means mongol)
"This means a thought or memory"
This is a Location
This is emphasis.
This is also emphasis
ALL CAPS, or like this is a shout.
Sorry for the small chapter, but I published another fic, Intertwined Fates. I'll be sparing my time with that fic as well.
Regardless,
Enjoy ;)
Both Samurai and Fox travelled to the Golden Temple after they departed from Kechi. Mostly it was to rest, but also to access their next plan of actions.
Taka was necessary to rescue, since he was the main priority. He could forge something in order to climb the walls of the Castle. But the Straw Hat Ronin also have their use, since they needed a small group of swordsman in order to rescue Lord Shimura. Taka was in risk of dying at each passing moment, but if what that ronin said was true, the Straw Hat Ronins aren't better.
Dammed if you do, dammed if you don't.
They decided to rest for a bit all the same. If anything, they could risk split each other so both could be recruited (and in case of Taka, rescued). Or maybe not. To recruit the Straw Hat Ronin, Jin needed to be there. To rescue Taka, Aiden couldn't be alone, since he is still suffering from Abstinence. Any small slip or mistake and it's the end of the plan.
Both men are at their room. Only one room, since a lot of civilians came here for shelter.
"This is so stupid", Aiden says angrily.
"What troubles you, my friend?", Jin asks curiously.
"Well, all of this shit that is happening, for a start", He gestured by opening his arms, implying the overall situation.
"I know. But we can't falter. The simple fact you're helping a nation not your own is commendable", Jin said with a small amount of pride.
"You assume I do it because I want", Aiden said nonchalantly.
"What?"
That raised a Red Flag in the Samurai's head. He wasn't helping Japan? The people of Tsushima?
"Care to elaborate?", the Lord asked with worry.
"I'm sorry, but to be blunt and truthful, I am helping you out of pure pressure. I either help you and that Shimura guy or I die by the hands of those mongols", He says while stretching. His voice not showing not even a hint of regret.
"Aiden! How can you say that?! I thought I could trust you! Call you a friend!", He shouts at the man who only puts his hands on the ears after the sudden outburst.
Jin did not apologize this time.
"First lesson of relationships, never fully trust someone. Ever", He says while removing his hat, showing a stone face, but with sad eyes.
Seeing this made Jin question who is the man in front of him once more. He was enigmatic, senile and sometimes, annoying to deal with. He doubted his friend, or rather, acquaintance, when they were at Kechi. He silently judged the Fox and it's controversial means of earning money, but he did help him with a solution to his current problem.
Jin won't admit now, but his first assassination is the best thing he did in this Invasion.
But hearing this? That he is helping because he needs? That's unacceptable.
"When you were at Chicago, you said that you fought criminals, bandits and Mafias", Jin didn't know what a Mafia was, but thanks to previous context, he could guess, "You said you did it every single night. I find it hard to believe you would do it out of simple necessity".
"Oh, you have no idea, Jin".
His voice... He wasn't mocking. Was he serious? What could be so necessary and indispensable that he, in his own mind, felt obligated to fight the injustice, day in day out?
"When Lena died, when my family was destroyed, I could only feel... Guilt. It was my fault that harm came to them", Aiden said solemnly as he remembered the past.
"Aiden...", Jin spoke, unsure how to react.
"I am a shame to my mother. We fled to... to England because my dad would everyday take a turn beating me, my mother or my sister. We wanted to have a better life, a better fate than just pretend it was fine, that we would get together someday", Aiden said with a sigh.
He frowned remembering his dad. Once again, allowing himself to be one of the Black Sheeps of the family. He was a stupid alcoholic with anxiety problems. Something happened in his early years, but Aiden couldn't care about it. He saw his father with such disdain and disgust, that he'd rather go back to Ireland just to kill him.
He'd never had the guts to do it. Even after becoming The Fox. Now he wish he had it. His mom would constantly tell that he remembered her of his father. Hoe brave and stupid he would be sometimes. How that the stubbornness runs in the blood of the family, since if the males had a objective, they would try everything to accomplish them.
Jin listened carefully what the man in front of him told him. About his early family, his crime life (again), his late family, the "Incident" with Lena, the hunt for Maurice...
"I wasn't fighting crime because I am a goody-two-shoes, a Paragon for the weak or any of that bullshit. I did it so I wouldn't go Insane. I would be in a Catatonic state if I wasn't filling my mind with other people's lives and problems. Funny how I can only feel alive while under constant danger of dying", He finished with a frown.
"That's a very selfish thing to say, Aiden".
"Everyone is selfish. Some people manage to hide it better than others. Simple enough", He says as he gets comfortable in the futon.
"I couldn't disagree more with that. I am going this to save my Island, not to cope with my feelings", Jin defied.
"I don't need your approval. I've lived more than you. I know how the flow of things goes", His voice was thoughtful, as if he was considering explaining this to the Samurai, "Just take Yuna for example. She wants us to rescue her brother, only to leave the island. I want to help you because it's more beneficial than staying against or abstaining. You want to save the island ye, but more importantly, avenge your fallen comrades".
"That doesn't define me as selfish!", At this point, Jin just had about enough.
Aiden looked at him with a warm, yet sad smile, "Jin. I've set this in my mind a long time now. That's what I believe. I just ask you to respect that".
"Feeling sorry for the guilt is the same as betraying the innocents. I cannot possible agree with your philosophy", Jin stated with the same level of anger as before, albeit quietly.
"Philosophy, huh?", Aiden looked at the ceiling, "We could talk about what is right and wrong. Do you think that what I said is wrong?".
"Without a doubt".
"And why is that?"
"There is no beauty in sadness. No honor in suffering. No growth in fear. No relief in hate. I learned that in my life. But most importantly, that the strong must protect the weak. If I betray this principle, I cannot call myself a man, much less a human. I can't agree with you, because if I do, I'd be throwing all I know away", Jin said thoughtfuly as he eyes the ground.
"And even so, you stabbed someone in the back", Aiden pointed out.
"That is different. I did it to protect my people", He said defending himself.
"And you would classify that as wrong? Ask evil?", He asked rhetorically.
"No, of course not", Jin admitted.
"There is no good and evil, there is only power. It's all a matter of perspective. A man should be tortured? Most people would say 'no'. Other would ask what he did. We elaborate and say that he is a rapist. Most people would be inclined to say yes, others no, others would suggest different methods to deal with the problem. Either by punishment or rehabilitation", Aiden explained in a matter-of-fact manner.
"What do you mean by it?", Jin asked bewildered.
"There isn't a right or wrong. There isn't a Black or White. There are only infinites shades o grey. Society and it's laws determine what it's morally correct, but even these morals can be bent depending on the situation and context, as I said before", He continue his explanation, as if he was a teacher.
Jin couldn't argue with this logic. It made... Sense. Truly, he just bent his code of honor to potentially save someone. He did save various people, not only at Kechi but on the way to the Golden Temple. It took little effort to stab them in the back. Jin felt horrible when he started to feel better by not engaging the enemy head on, but it was necessary. The mongols knew how Samurai fight. It's pointless to continue like this, at least for the moment.
"I see your point", Jin conceded.
"For now, let's rest. We have a long journey ahead of us".
Aiden woke up again in Chicago.
He was not going to get used to this, no matter how much it happens to him.
In his usual attire of the Vigilante, Aiden walked the now, populated city. Its weird how even in his dreams, this city was the main stage of whatever his mind reserved to him. The most notorious nightmare was Lena's death. Repeating over and over and over again. It was just like a bad joke of the Internet someone reposted "just for the luls".
Aiden honestly questioned the human mind sometimes.
"Greetings", a familiar hermaphrodite voice echoed.
"Kitsune".
"It's wonderful how you made progress. Originally, our common acquaintance would take far longer to complete his list of objectives", They said with a half mocking half genuine tone.
"All it's left is the blacksmith and the Ronin guys", Aiden added.
"Sure enough. But let's get on with my reason for this visit, shall we?", The Kitsune gestures him to follow.
They go through a few streets. A lot of them populated with even cars going here and there. Out of curiosity, Aiden put his hand in his pocket. He wasn't surprised to seel his cellphone there with the Perfiler ready for use.
After a few Perfiling, he saw the lives of some people. He wondered if he would be one of them. Just another face with another life, a stable job and a comfortable income. Would he be a better person? Would he be a scientist? A programmer? Or even a Engineer? It was a question without answer.
Aiden stopped looking over the fictional people of his mind scape when he noticed that Chicago was becoming another place. A simple yet full on Salt Desert that goes as far as the eye can see.
"Here. This place should suffice", The Kitsune said.
"Where are we?", Aiden asked, still looking at the ground of salt.
"This is your mind. Chicago is the core. The more people that are there, the calmer you are", The creature explained with caution, "This is the outskirts. This represents what you want to show everyone else".
"Salt? That I am complex? Yeah, no shit, Sherlock", He mocked, uninterested.
"True, but that's not why I've brought you here. You've been honest about yourself. As I said, we would reward you if you helped us", It said while pointing at Aiden's waist.
He saw the Sword he was using since that fox showed it to him.
"It was you?", He asked confusedly.
"Indeed. Not only that, but I also helped you attaining some form of familiarity with the tool", She grabbed their own sword, "It is time for you to have proper training with it, but I would be only your training partner. You'd need a teacher".
As soon as she finishes, a few figures appear out if nowhere, walking as if they're in a park picnic or whatever.
One was tall, imposing and intimidating, a Samurai armour that coverer feet to forehead. It wasn't like the one Jin used or how own. It had a lot more armour in the vulnerable parts, shoulder pads, a massive helmet as well as a mask of some kind of demon.
The other, a woman, had a more simple attire, but still had armour in her chest and back, but she carried a bow bigger than the ones Aiden saw until now, as well as a banner of some clan. She was clearly an archer, and despite not having a mask, she had a blindfold, which confused the Vigilante.
The other was kind of a mystery. His armor consists of leather and sturdy fabric plates, allowing agile movements. The predominant color is dark, with hints of green and gray for camouflage. Metal details protect vital areas, and the flowing cape adds a touch of mystery, highlighting its presence in the wind. The helmet is elegant, partially covering the face.
Finally, the last was a simple and humble Ronin, with a black kimono and a Straw Hat.
"These are, Samurai, Huntress, Assassin and Ronin. Each one will have their own combat styles, strengths and weaknesses", The Kitsune claims.
Aiden could only "cringe" at the obvious names. The new generation can create lingo like that, funnily enough.
"I assume that Samurai is for close combat. But I cannot fight reliably for longer periods of time", He said while looking at the soldier.
He bows and takes his leave.
"Very well. We know about your current state. Too old to have consistent stamina", The Kitsune jokes, getting a few laughs and chuckles from the remaining people.
"I think that the Way of The Bow should be taught to another person. I would gladly take your lessons, but if Taka can really make any tool, I can think of a way to use my PX4", With that, the woman took a bow, but didn't leave.
"You can still indicate her blessing and training to someone else in the future", The Kitsune advised.
"I could know what before refusing Samurai, huh?", He said annoyed.
"Well, Jin already looks quite capable".
He sighed.
"The Ronin... What are you capable off?"
"I am useful for medical treatment and support. If someone is having trouble, I can use some of my tools to help them recover, rest or have less pressure if the enemy".
"Good for Taka, if he is just a blacksmith", Aiden thought.
"I'll use your blessing in the future", The Ronin takes a bow and remains.
"Which leaves me", The Assassin spoke.
"You'd help me use a sword and tanto to effectively kill the mongols, I guess", Aiden looks at the Kitsune.
"Sure, our friend here not only knows how to silently kill someone, but also knows a great deal about Kenjutsu", The Kitsune said with a grin behind it's mask.
"Kenjutsu?"
"Yes, indeed", Assassin spoke, "The art of quicky killing with the sword, differently from a swashbuckler or swordsmith. We dwell of the quick, effective and practical side of the field".
Aiden was curious before. Tempted by the idea of what could he, the Vigilante of Chicago, being taught by a Shinobi that he wasn't aware off. But after hearing the last part, he has his full attention.
"Very well, assassin it is", he said with the same enthusiasm as a child being awoken to go to school.
This training is hard.
Not only Aiden needed to learn a specific style of combat, but also needed to adapt to other situations with it. Surrounded, outnumbered, weaponless, archers covering their allies, more than two spearman... It was quite annoying.
He did manage to deflect arrows, but his improvement is small.
Seeing this, they needed to change the training. The Assassin taught Aiden hoe to run with his full speed, do turnovers, side-steps and other footwork drills necessary for him to learn the basics of [Wind Kenjutsu]. A stupid and weird name, but if it works, it works.
The [Wind Kenjutsu] is designed specifically to fight against many enemies at once. It is decent in one-on-one, but not ideal. The style used a lot of rotational attacks, momentum and footwork. If Aiden couldn't get his stamina and speed to improve, he would sign for a bad time.
Assassin said that, [The Storm Slash] is the most powerful technique of the Stance, since it used stupid amounts of speed to deliver a precise strike to the carotid vein, making the poor victim bleed out.
swiiiish*
Kitsune dodged one of Aiden's swings. He was improving in timing, but no matter how long he trains here, his body won't evolve. After all, one can theorize and Mind Train all he wants, but even if he can see the attack, it doesn't mean his body will react in time.
"I guess that's all we can do for today", Kitsune said as he sheathed their blade.
Aiden did the same, "I guess that my body needs to improve fore to do half of what I did here".
"Precisely", Kitsune said with surprise, although it was hidden by it's mask.
"Next time we will teach you the [Shadow Step]. We will focus solely on stealth", Assassin said as he bows to his student.
"All good for me", Aiden said, doing a very cranky bow. He wasn't used to it.
Then it suddenly got black.
Aiden woke up, tired less and full of determination. It was strange that these so called gods were helping him. It felt that he wasn't in control and he didn't like it at all.
For now, he will use their teachings. It sounds like he will need it.
"Hello, warrior. Can I do something for you?", A servant of the Golden Temple inquired to Aiden.
"Yeah, do you have those bamboo stands?"
Date of Publication: 12th, October, 2023