AN: Hey fellas. Been a while since huh? Sorry, I got some time for myself as to not bang my head to the wall.
As you may have seen by the post dates I put every ending of chapter, the schedule for next chapters is non-existent, but since this is the most developed story thus far, once this one finishes and I focus on the Intertwined Fates the schedule will be more tight. I'll write only my original story on Royal Road and an fanfic and write it weekly. (Hopefully).
Regardless, lets get the story going, shall we?
Enjoy ;)
Junshin could only worry for what was going to happen next, both on Aiden, the foreigner who saved his life and Hana, Masako's sister. In his honest opinion, he could not make up what Masako would do since she had the patience to not kill him right when they've met. Instead she pleaded for aid, not to herself but for her companion which puzzled Junshin at the start, but after he actually listened, no deception could be detected.
Aiden's states was... Terrible at the least and a genuine miracle that he is still alive at the most. His body was addicted to a combination of substances that the monk could only imagine what they were and everything he tried had minimal results. Basically, Junshin was stabilizing the foreigner little by little, yet for him to definitely get better, only the [Shinsei no Kusuri] would give him some amount of peace. The monk knew that Aiden would immediately go after Masako, help her not so something she'd later regret.
He wanted to stop Aiden, wanted to keep the man who saved him alive and rested. Other fights needed to be fought and Masako is already an old lady, she knows, or at least should know the consequences of her actions and lack of temperament. Yet, Junshin couldn't force Aiden to remain here. If his heart desires to go help that woman, the Adachi Matriarch, then there is nothing Junshin can do. The foreigner saved him and in return he would save him at the very least.
He grabbed a plate of food, rice and fish with a bit of sake. The Golden Temple couldn't offer more despite The Fox being fighting mongols constantly by now, not because they weren't grateful for it, but because everyone was such need that this simple food was all Junshin could take. This wouldn't nourish a fighter, no matter how much Aiden ate it, still better than starving though.
The monk walked the hallways inside the medical center of the temple. He heard the coughs of less fortunate people, some screaming from pain and others with a fever so high that could boil the water they drank. Junshin felt powerless, incapable of finding a solution to this. It wasn't his fault, sure, but seeing these people suffer without being able to do something? It wasn't annoying, it wasn't irritating, it was insulting and infuriating. The monk knew he wasn't supposed to think like that, but he couldn't help but hate the mongols with every fiber of his being. Not to mention the plot of Masako's sister into killing the very people that are capable of defending the Island.
Truly, Tsushima was never in a Darker Era than this one.
He entered the room, only to see Aiden already in his armour, "Lord Pearce? What are you doing out of your bed?"
"Going to Kamiagata.", He replied, continuing to get dressed.
"Please, you don't even know if you can fight properly!", Junshin exclaimed worriedly, "It would be wise to remains here and let your body rest. It's been only 5 days since you came here!"
Aiden looked at the man in front of him, then past him, looking at himself over a mirror. His beard grew a lot since he came back in time. His hair has growed too, but not as the same extent, just covering his ears.
"That might be true, but I know stupid people tend to do stupid decisions.", Aiden said as he turned to the monk, "And Masako, unfortunately, is very stupid."
The monk looked dejected, but he quickly proceeded to write in pieces of paper, "If I can't stop you, than at least take this."
Aiden took the paper but didn't open it, "What is this?"
"The medicine I gave you will suffice for now, but the effects will diminish in the nearby future. With this paper you can request treatment from other Monks in other temples.", He explained as he pointed to the paper, "It's the best thing I can do since I can't accompany you in this war."
Aiden put the paper inside his armour's pockets, "Thank you, Junshin."
"Be careful, Lord Pearce."
"I am no Lord, Junshin. Take care of yourself."
With a simple whistle, Hiraki appeared and they galloped towards a certain old hag.
Jin dismounted Sora, looking at the next place his journey would take. With now new ways to attack the mongols, a new attack he learned thanks to a new pretender of the legends, his sword now having a spirit and the Sakai Clan armour, he set foot on Umugi Bay.
"Halt! Ronin, state your business.", One of the Ronins of the village shouted.
"I am no Ronin.", Jin stated sternly, a tone he would rarely use with anyone.
"Wait, that armour... That's the Sakai Armour! I thought all Samurai died at Komoda Beach!", Another Ronin said, completely surprised, "Please, forgive us, Lord Sakai. Lady Sanjo will want to talk with you. Please, follow me."
Jin silently walked as he payed attention to the village. Umugi Bay was and still is relatively peaceful, considering the state the Island is. The same huts and houses with two stores and no walls always puzzled the samurai as the nights were fairly cold at night. Those without proper clothes could suffer from long exposure to the wind and certainly would catch a fever, yet the Bay never really minded these "nit-picks" others had.
He was honestly grateful that this place was untouched by mongols.
They entered a blacksmith shop and climbed the stairs to the second floor where this Sanjo is. She immediately showed respect to the samurai and even offered a drink, but Jin refused.
"I see the mongols haven't found this place."
"Thankfully.", Sanjo agreed, "This village has never seen war, even with the invasion. And even those who unsheathe their swords inside Umugi have to face my Ronin."
Her declaration wasn't one of pride, but one of facts. This place is well protected with lots of Ronin scattered around, both inside and outside buildings. No wonder the village seems too disconnected from the rest of places Jin visited these past weeks.
"As long as you follow this rule, you safety will be assured, my Lord.", A warning, one that Jin recognized, "Now, may I know what is your objective within Umugi?"
"I'm looking for the smuggler Goro.", Jin said as he glanced to the view outside the second floor.
The water outside was really eye catching.
Sanjo looked rather amused by this, her smile very visible for anyone to see, "Interesting. He's downstairs drinking his third bottle of Sake. Enjoy your stay."
Jin bows and turns his heel towards the stairs, confused by the reaction Sanjo gave. Finding Goro was easy since not only was he distinct from others (as well as the wind guiding him) but also the fact that he reeked of booze. Not really difficult to find a drunkard.
"You must be Goro."
"Ev'ryone's s'posed to be sum'one, ya know? Wh'o you are'?", Goro "spoke" from his hiccups.
"Lord Sakai.", Jin used his title, thinking it would be enough to convince this... person.
"Nah, all t'he 'amurai died."
"I am very much alive. Can't say the same for my patience. Still, I would like to make this smoother for both of us.", The Samurai was really being tested with this... citizen. Jin has seen worse. Maybe, "Lord Shimura asks you to pay your debt."
"He's alive?", All the drunken act disappeared when Goro hear the Jito's name, "What can I do for him?"
"He whises to send a message to the Main Island.", Jin said simply.
No point in doing charades with him, much less a smuggler. The person in question groaned in irritation as he got up.
"I already asked a lot of money for this kind of favor, even before the Mongol Blockade.", Goro didn't seem pleased with this, but didn't outright deny the possibility.
"You do owe my master.", The samurai reminded.
"I owe a lot of people, my Lord.", He didn't say it with pride or mockery funnily enough,"But even still, what choice do I have?"
He walked away, Jin followed suit.
"Why did you think Lord Shimura's debt was paid?", Jin asked as they walked.
"After Komoda, I thought it was finished. Gave the samurai good armour and good weapons. I drank after what happened. Still do, as you saw.", The smuggler said as he approached a house.
"To celebrate your escape?"
"To mourne the samurai. But now that you and Lord Shimura are alive, maybe this Island still has some hope.", He sounded convicted of it.
Maybe Jin should not judge someone so soon. They entered a house, a small one. By the way Goro walked inside it, maybe it was his house. The familiarity he showed when grabbing somet things here and there was noticeable.
"It will be hard, but possible. The message is with you?"
"It's with my uncle on Akashima."
For the first time, Goro showed some positive reaction, "That's good. I have some boats near Mitodaki. It will be easier this way to deliver the message."
"Good."
BANG *BANG
"OPEN THE DOOR, GORO!"
"We won't leave here unless you pay your debt!"
"Shit!", Goro seemed rather stressed at the new visitors.
"I'll handle them.", Jin sighed.
"Wait, this map will show where I'll wait. Safe travels.", Goro gave a map to Jin before leaving on a small hole on the wall.
He put inside it the bag on his side and opened the door. Two Ronins, who were quite angry, changed their faces when they saw the Sakai Armour right there in front of them.
"Uh... My Lord, what's your business with Goro?"
"The same as yours, apparently.", Jin decided to play along.
"Damn, Goro is in debt even with you my Lord? That stupid Tanuki."
"It's fine, well come back later."
Jin saw as the Ronin left the place. He sighed again, almost emptying his lungs in the process. He took the map out and inspected it. His involvement here is not necessary for now, but he still needs to help Yuna with Yarikawa. If they join the causa against the mongols, surely they will be unstoppable. Easier said than done though. There's the past of the village with the samurai and the reputation of Lord Shimura, all of them make the scenario of Yarikawa joining les likely.
Still, better try and fail than not trying at all.
Aiden looked at the place, filled with corpses left right and center. What was once a county filled with what it looked like joy, happiness and safety was only a shadow of it's former self. Masako was in front of a gateway, looking at him, waiting patiently. Aiden was still amazed and frightened by the fact that she alone killed countless samurai (from the clothes and weapons they used, maybe Ronin). Considering her age and state of mind, this shouldn't be possible.
"I see you're better.", Masako said, not looking directly at Aiden.
"And you are worse.", The Fox said worriedly as he saw Masako drenched in blood.
"Please just... just do this with me. Can you?"
"Of course."
Hana came out of a building atop of a hill. She was angrily looking at the disappointed and sad face of Masako. Aiden noted how the Widow Samurai was different in her actions, but decided to remain silent for now.
"Hana. You fakes your death. Who was that woman I buried with my family?", Masako asked normally, much to Aiden's surprise.
"A random fool who died by the mongols.", Hana's voice didn't have remorse.
A few Ronins came from the house, sword-hand prepared.
"Why would you kill your family?"
Hana looked at the Ronins and nodded, "Kill them."
"Not gonna give explanations? Rude.", Aiden thought.
Two of the Ronins came to face both Masako and Aiden in a standoff. Masako prepared her stance with her Ronin while Aiden looked at the one in front of him with a very tired face. He did not want to prolong this any longer than it needed to be. So he prepared the crossbow and waited a few seconds. The Ronin who didn't know the device allowed Aiden to freely prepare himself.
Rookie mistake.
*BANG
The Ronin in front of Masako flinched with the noise and sudden death if his partner, what prompted Masako to slice him as he diverted his gaze. Masako immediately prepared her short bow and arrow and shot the next Ronin while Aiden walked to the last one with a Smoke Bomb in hand. Safe to say that they did not care about honor or samurai code and whatnot. It was time to finish this.
Anda paper door isn't exactly a good hiding spot to be honest.
Masako stared at her sister, "You killed my children, my grandchildren."
"A small price for what you've done.", Her voice had spite and venom with it. Absolute hatree, even.
"But... I did nothing wrong..."
"You stole everything from me!", Hana angrily replied, "You took me my home and the life that was rightfully mine! You left me with that abusive and drunken bastard! You'd need to suffer centuries to understand what I passed!"
"She has no fault in any of this.", Aiden finally manifested himself.
"It is. And damm you both if yu thini otherwise!"
"No, it truly isn't.", Aiden reaffirmed, "She had no idea Ikeda, your husband, would be like that. He was a honorable Samurai at the time and for the relationship of you both not end abruptly, she tried to help you with that marriage."
"Curse this help you speak of! That was the worst think that could've happened to me!"
"So you're saying that your envy of Masako would not be the worst thing that would happen?"
Hana gritted her teeth. Masako started understanding why Hana did all of this, all for envy of her marriage with Lord Adachi. Her desire for power and influence clouded her better judgment and ended up having the entire Clan killed. And yet, the worse is that she doesn't show an ounce of regret.
"You've come here to kill me, so do it!"
Masako simply walked away, an action that Aiden didn't expect but one he could get behind. Hana looked insulted by this and would even try to attack Masako, but Aiden got in front of her.
"You tried to kill your entire family. Live with that.", Aiden said before he himself left the place.
Masako was already mounted on her horse, just near Hiraki who was eating the grass kn the ground. Aiden caressed the skin of his dapple horse and with a ruff of his nose, he smiled.
"What are you going to do now?"
"I need to rest my mind. Maybe kill mongols. Anything to distract my mind from... that.", Masako looked at the building where Hana is.
"Are you going to be ok? Not even I could forget or forgive Mauriyfor what he has done to me.", Aiden asks worriedly.
"I'll be fine. I'll have you by my side if it comes to it.", She muses.
"You have a lot of faith in me."
"Kill me if I do another stupidity."
"With my luck, that's going to be sooner than you expect."
They both laughed. The Fox and The Widow are more alike than they seem, but that doesn't mean they will travel the same path. Aiden being in Masako's life changed her destiny, her fate to something better. For the long run, at least.
"I believe we can help Jin with his things, right? Now that... you need a distraction.", Aiden didn't know how to properly change the mood, but he tried his best.
"Yes. That would suffice."
"Kaneda Castle it is then."
It's been about two weeks since the takeover of Kaneda Castle. The Ghosts of Tsushima have gained quite the popularity amongst the common folk, tales about the spirits of the fallen samurai at Komoda Beach and how they didn't care about honor or respect, they cared only to protect the land they once called home.
This gossip reached Shimura's ears and he didn't like the idea of a group of people fighting like thieves, much less that Sakai Jin was one of the names that circulated around these Ghosts. He knew his nephew only did it to save him, to contact the main land, and thankfully he hasn't seen Jin actually act in such a way himself. Maybe a small evidence that he didn't corrupt himself in following this path further than it was needed. However...
The same couldn't be said about the foreigner, Aiden Pearce.
He openly stated that fighting enemies head-on like the Samurai did was an outdated and foolish tactic, even going far as to say that it's going to guarantee death to every reinforcement that would come from the Main Island. He used underhanded maneuvers, killed from the shadows and oftenly felt pride over it. Despite the fact that the foreigner created the plan that undoubtedly saved him from the Khan's hands, Shimura could not fully trust or agree with such cowardice.
When Aiden arrived again with Masako at the Castle, being treated by the local monks, The Jito thought on sabotaging the treatment as for the foreigner not interfere with their plans, yet Shimura decided against it. He not only can't, but won't be a hypocrite and use the same methods as the thieves use. The intrusive thoughts made the old man quiver in shame for allowing this thinking to even grow in his mind. He decided that the best course of action was to talk with the foreigner.
Aiden and Masako talked over their plan while the monk treated the foreigner. They soon realize that the Jito is right there and they both get up giving a courteous bow.
"Lord Shimura.", Masako greeted.
"I see you finished your hunt. Was it successful?", Shimura asked gently. The small bits he got were sensitive and he didn't want to press her into talking.
"As long as the Khan lives, my hunt will remain.", Masako declared, but not angrily. More like a duty she needs to do, "Thanks to Aiden, we found the culprit and... dealt with them."
Shimura looks at the foreigner, "How are you feeling?"
"I've been in worse situations, believe me.", Aiden waved off, "But I am improving, little by little."
Shimura gave a nod, "In that case, I believe you can go and help Jin with Yarikawa, yes? He should be arriving there shortly."
"They don't like the Samurai.", Masako said in a frown.
"They live in Tsushima. They can hate us, but they have an obligation to defend their home.", The Jito said sternly.
Aiden remained silent, but disapproved of this line of thinking. Making the people that you are supposed to protect hate you never gave good results afterwards, even in situations of war. What that would end up doing is giving the people of Yarikawa the courage they need to rebel against the Samurai. That if Jin doesn't convince them to join peacefully.
"We'll be there after Aiden ins patched up.", Masako said as she looked to him.
"Aiden Pearce.", Shimura called for his attention, "Please, even if you disapprove of our methods, I ask you to respect them. Or else I won't be there to help you in times of need."
Aiden didn't reply and Shimura took that as a silent agreement. He left the place soon after, leaving the two of them to think for themselves.
"We aren't going to respect him, huh?", The Kitsune asked Aiden.
"Not one bit."
Taka walked back and forth on the road leading to Yarikawa trying to form a plan. Yuna watched as her brother tried and failed to be the next Sakai or the next Pearce, using all of his brainpower to think of a solution to the predicament they have, and yet, no matter how much Taka thought, no solution came. He sighed in frustration.
"Forget it Taka.", Yuna said amused and concerned, "Despite me wholeheartedly believing you can come up with an incredible weapon or armour piece, to form up a plan is what you can't do."
"Yeah yeah, I know, but we can't just... be here! The mongols... they...", Taka gaffled in anger.
"Look, the cavalry came.", Yuna pointed at three looking samurai individuals coming at their direction.
"Thank the Gods!", Was all Taka could say.
"Hello Yuna, Taka.", Jin greeted them, "It's been a while."
"Hey, Lord Aiden, Lady Masako.", Taka greeted the other samurai.
"You are using your clan's armour... Pray that the people of Yarikawa won't gut you on sight.", Yuna joked.
"Speaking of it, why is everyone outside of the village?", Aiden asked curiously.
"The mongols have surrounded Yarikawa. No one can enter and those that are inside can't leave.", Taka explained, still a bit worried.
"It won't be easy to recruit the rivals of Lord Shimura.", Jin groaned.
"No one said it would, Jin.", Masako almost facepalmed at the obvious remark.
Taka had an idea, "Well, think of it this way. If we help them with the mongols..."
"...They help us in return.", Jin concluded, but sighed afterwards, "Yet we still need their word for it and we won't be able to enter the village."
"Don't the village have like some kind of secret path for situations like this?", Masako inquired, "The villages near Adachi State had some in case of emergencies."
"That would be to convenient for us.", Aiden snorted.
Yuna and Taka became really silent. Awkwardly so.
"No fucking way.", The vigilante groaned.
"Well, it was when we were kids.", Taka explained, "But even if the path is still there it will be hard to reach it."
"Better than nothing, right?", Yuna said with minor enthusiasm.
Taka just simply could not believe what his ears have listened to.
It was a big contrast to the great scheming of his rescue or the takeover of Kaneda Castle. What once was the breakthrough of the fortress, cunning planning and role assignment was reduced to a simple "we'll sneak through the biggest mongol stronghold and pray the secret passage is there", something that made the blacksmith sweat and worry, almost puking his insides out. Thankfully the passage was still there, intact and ready to go.
"Look at all these supplies.", Aiden pointed out to the dozens of boxes filled with food, medicine and weapons.
"They use this place as storage?", Masako seemed suspicious about it for some reason.
"Well, only people who were born here would know about this passage and place. I guess it's safe to use it as storage.", Jin looked around, seeing that the place was quite organized.
"Hurry up. There's a ladder here.", Yuna called.
The team of five climbed up and we're immediately surrounded by less know samurai, swords in hand.
"Who are you? How did you know about the secret passage?"
"We were born here.", Taka said before anything happened.
"And we are here to help to stop the mongol siege.", The Samurai offered.
"First, tell us from which samurai you stole those equipments. No commoner would have this piece of armor."
"We are the Ghosts.", Aiden said. He cringed internally but Yuna has already created this myth, might as well use it.
That and the fact Kitsune is in his sword silently accompanying him.
"The Ghosts?", They seemed to think for a while, "Ujimasa will want to see you. But be careful, we are all armed here."
A warning that everyone was not going to defy.
"The mongols are close to the gate!"
This shout redirected the attention everyone.
"What happened?"
"The general of the mongols is approaching!"
The Ghosts decided to check and see what's going on. The mongol army, the siege is put to a undefined pause as the Mongol General walked up to the main gate of the village. The mongol soldiers did a weird salute that even Aiden didn't know what to make of.
"My name is Temuge, I am the General of this army. I've learned you language to offer you a choice, offer a future. Surrender before we raise the black flag and we will have mercy on the citizens of the village. Don't, and you will have a misfortune. Choose your fate, Yarikawa.", From Temuge's point of view, it was an affirmation rather than a threat.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a challenge.", Aiden snorted.
"In a very convoluted way, yes we do.", Masako mirrored the gesture.
"That and the fact Shimura Clan is hated over here.", Yuna sighed.
"If Yarikawa wants to even survive they will need to let bygones be bygones.", Jin stated firmly.
"Don't worry Lord Sakai. Yarikawa is as stubborn as they are resolvefull.", Taka beemed up, "Besides, we are the Ghosts of Tsushima, right?"
No one replied.
"R-right?"
Date of Publication: 15th, April, 2024