Kyu
Kyu and his master had made their way to the ancient building behind Master Kagerou's home that had been converted into his personal dojo as well as the dojo dedicated to training the Path of the Shadow Walker. The second they'd stepped foot onto the dojo mats they'd began to train.
Kyu fought for his life. He instantly began wishing he gave an offering to the gods along with his prayer. But then again would that have even helped? He was aware even the god's blessings had their limitations and he was pretty sure he'd just discovered them.
Path of the Shadow Walker, Second Art 'Shadow Strike'
Master Kagerou lunged forward like the grim reaper his gigantic shadowy sword trailed by darkness. His blade cut the air as it locked onto Kyu's neck without mercy. Kyu barley managed to raise his shadow coated katana in time.
Path of the Shadow Walker, Third Art 'Protection of the Shadowfarer'
To even Kyu's surprise he managed to perfectly block his master's attack, and a Weapon Art at that, evident by the shadowy, ink-like tendrils that burst out as both blades struck.
"Good," Master Kagerou muttered. "Now again."
His master came at him again with even greater aggression and power, unleashing the full might of their Path upon his student. Kyu was forced to push his body to its limits and then even beyond that all in order to just even try and survive against the Shadow Wolf.
A black blade come soaring down upon Kyu's head and he attempted to unleash his Path's Third Art but failed to perfectly block the attack like before, instead taking on the full brunt of the strike and narrowly escaping death.
"Poor. Focus Kyu."
Kyu was sent staggering back as he barely avoided being split in two.
"You'd have been killed four times by now. Kyu, this is not the display of a future Blade. How do you expect to protect your prince and nation with this level of strength? Ready yourself. Now Again!"
With an exhausted growl Kyu charged forward and Master Kagerou retaliated with even greater wrath and power.
It'd been a long time since he'd been put through any training like this and as Kyu's lungs and muscles screamed in agony he could only wonder what he'd done to bring forth his master's ire and desperation.
It wasn't until nearly a half hour of fighting for his life that Kyu discovered finally discovered why.
Kyu collapsed to the ground, blade still in hand, as his master concluded their training.
"Why did you hold back?" Master Kagerou questioned sternly, sheathing his enormous weapon across his back.
Kyu felt his eyes bulge wide and he stared up at his master speechless, painfully feeling his body fighting to its limits to sustain his life. "I didn't," he panted, while slowly staggering to his feet and sheathing his katana. "Master I'm dying here. A few more swings and you'd be burying me."
"Against the prince," his master corrected.
"Kin? We were just training."
"Are we not training now?"
Kyu paused. "Yes," he said slowly. Kyu looked up to his master stunned, "You want to me to push Kintaro to death's door?"
A dark glare overcame Master Kagerou's shadowed faced. "Kyu. Do you wish to see our prince fall?"
"Of course not," Kyu snapped, before quickly restraining in tone.
"Then I'll ask again. Why did you hold back?"
Kyu remained silent. No answer he possessed justified his actions or would satisfy his master.
"I get it, Prince Asakari is your friend. But he is neither an apprentice nor a novice samurai. I need you to remember who he is to this rebellion, like every emperor of Akuresh he will lead the army and face the nation's foes on the frontlines along with the Blades. He cannot be unprepared for the dangers we will face when reclaim his throne. The Blades can push the prince to greater heights but he needs in experience in a battle were both fighters are fighting all out to the death, against the Blades that can't be achieved as we're forced to hold back. That's the reason we chose you, to show the prince what truly fighting for your life is like, to condition his body for war."
Kyu nodded solemnly. He was right, he'd been treating the prince as if he was training the apprentice samurai or his students. That wasn't acceptable the prince would be on the front lines alongside him and needed to be equally prepared as him, even that mean been beat half to death every day in order to grow stronger.
"I understand master."
"For the sake of Akuresh, I truly hope you do." Master Kagerou then casually strolled out from the dojo. "You have ten minutes to rest before the Torrent Blade arrives to continue your training. Be prepared, I'll be telling Mizuchi to not hold back. You must become even stronger Kyu. You will be fighting besides the Blades as the prince's guard when war comes." His master then repeated the same words he'd been telling his apprentice for years. "Rise like the shadows of the setting sun or be left below the earth." Master Kagerou left without another word.
With an exhausted sigh, Kyu sat on the dojo floor and gently lay his weapon beside him. Weak he though hatefully. He was still far too feeble. His hands tightened in too straining fists and soon his knuckles shone white.
"Are you having another moment?" a voice abruptly asked, it possessed an amused tone. "Should I come back later?"
Kyu's head snapped to the to the dojo's entrance to see a woman resting against the wooden pillar.
Miko Kiyoshi a shinobi hailing from the small island nation of Zansara. She was a tall woman, especially for a female ninja, with piercing, predatory brown eyes. Her wild, black hair was always she tied back into a spiky tail that fell to her shoulder blades with a blood dyed band and as always a few thick, dagger like strands fell down to hide the top of her face. She wore steel-capped zori with thick socks and baggy, black pants with a tailored, black and grey kimono top, to fit her perfectly. Miko's arms were bare except for the protective braces and gloves around her forearms and wrists. Kyu wasn't surprised to see she once again was wearing a pitch black, skin tight under top that extended out from her stylised kimono to form a mask around her lower face, covering up all the way to her nose. As she nearly always had her face covered you'd never expect it but Miko was quite a beautiful, although Kyu would never tell her this, the quips and retorts would be detrimental to his sanity. They normal friendship was already capable of driving him mad.
"How long have you been watching?" Kyu inquired curiously.
Miko was a master at stealth, better than anyone Kyu had ever come across. Despite the years they'd known each other and the hours he'd sharpened his senses, to this day Miko was the only person able to stalk and elude his senses. If she played her cards smart even the Blades would never know the shinobi was watching them.
"I've been following you around seen I saw you heading off for patrol," she informed, wandering over and causally taking a seat beside him.
"Didn't think of saying hello?"
"You looked like you were working hard. Besides I knew you'd send me back if you knew and its far too boring around her at the moment."
"Boring is good," Kyu muttered. "Means were still safe. Anyway I wouldn't have sent you back. I appreciate a bit of company on patrol," he turned to her with a teasing grin, "even if it's yours."
She mimicked a fake laugh under her mask.
"So you saw everything then," Kyu said. He got back to his feet and began trying to stretch out the aches and tension from his body.
"I have." She stood as well remaining eye level with him.
"And?"
"I agree with Blade Kagerou. You're far too soft on him."
"I wouldn't say soft- "
"I would. Kyu, I don't really care but I'll point it out for your sake. He's already at a disadvantage compared to someone like you. He can be beyond an idiot, is headstrong and impulsive and if he's not trained and prepared or hasn't got you or the Blades around he's going to charge into an early death."
"Already at a disadvantage?" Kyu questioned confused.
Miko stared at him slightly stunned, as is if he'd missed the most obvious thing in the world. "I'm saying he's not made like you, he's not ready. Tell me Kyu, what will happen when Prince Asakari comes up against a traitor Blade?"
Kyu remained silent his jaw taut, as irritation crept into the shadows of his mind. Miko had never been that fond of their heir for thoughts that were only known to herself but this was a step too far for even her. And her tone, why did she sound so desperate for him to realise this? There was something else too, was she scared? "… Of course he'd die, I probably would. But being the greatest and fighting the strongest isn't the emperor of Akuresh's place. That's the reason the Blades exist. The emperor is a beacon of light we follow and we their samurai defend their throne and our nation. Kin must just himself as worthy to lead and rule us, which he has. Your right, he can be impulsive and rash and most of the time an idiot but when the time calls he'll answer."
"Will he now," Miko muttered.
Annoyance abruptly consumed Kyu. "The prince would lay his life down for any one of us. It doesn't matter if it's a humble rice farmer or a godly Blade of Akuresh to Kintaro it doesn't matter. We all belong to Akuresh and he'd fight for anyone one of us, even if that meant death. That is why we follow him. When the time calls for him. He. Will. Answer."
Miko stared intensely at him for a moment, the silence in the room grew deafening and you heard the whispering beats of their raging hearts. Finally she shrugged.
Kyu sighed. "You're acting like I didn't already know everything you're saying. Doubt you missed my training."
Miko grinned beneath the mask. "I did not. He was sure pissed today. Are you going to take a note out your master's training book?"
Kyu chuckled. "No. My master's methods are insanity. It's a miracle that I'm still alive."
Miko stared at him curiously, "I'm not so sure about that," she mumbled.
"Did you say something?" Kyu inquired.
"No, just humming." Miko then checked the clock upon the dojo wall. "Well as entertaining as it'd be to see you getting your ass kicked by further, I'll be taking my leave before Miss Fuchi gets here."
"Are you actually leaving? Are you going to sneak back in?" Kyu questioned.
Miko grinned again. "Figure out how to detect me and find out."
"You say that like its easy," Kyu grumbled. "You're one of the damn Ghosts of Zansara."
Kintaro
The Heaven's Blade did not hold back against his prince and Kintaro quickly began to miss Kyu's training. At least he got a warm up there. To Sora Tenko, the Heaven's Blade and one of if not the greatest weapon the rebellion possessed, his early training session was the warm up and his mentor was determined to make sure his lesson was firmly carved into his skin.
Path of the Lightbringer, Third Art 'Aegis Of Day's Light'
Retsu flooded across Kintaro's skin and with the rush of the morning sun across your face. His body was instantly coated and enhanced by a layer of beaming light as he pre-emptively raised his katana to block the incoming strike. The Heavenly Samurai soar down from the sky like an angel of war and his blade struck faster than Kintaro could process. Even with his Weapon Art, the prince's body trembled under the force of the strike and his body nearly buckled fending it off.
"Don't let your stance break young lord," Sora reprimanded. "And keep your grip firm, if you lose your blade, death is all that awaits you on the battlefield."
Through strained breaths, Kintaro tried to push through his exhaustion and adjusted his stance back to perfection. However, it was all for show. If he was to be attacked now it would crumble like wet sand. Of course the Heaven's Blade knew this, the samurai was no fool and could see through prince's façade in an instant.
"If you're exhausted you need to train harder young lord. Kyu has been taking it easy on you and that all stops today. War will soon be upon on us and if you aren't ready then the rebellion is as good as lost," Sora stated.
"I know," Kintaro growled through gritted teeth. Of course he knew that. He'd know that damned truth since the traitors had stolen his throne and he'd become Akuresh's last hope within these woods years ago. Fear crept up Kintaro's spine, but he was still nowhere near great enough to face it.
Would he be ready?
Suddenly the Heavenly Samurai advanced.
Path of the Heavens, First Art 'Sky Splitter'
Despite the two warriors being on opposite ends of the dojo with a good ten meters between them, Sora struck perfectly down at the air. Kintaro raised his katana as he felt the Retsu in the room rage like a hurricane. A vast, invisible slash shot from were Sora had struck and struck and split the air as it charged towards the prince.
Path of the Lightbringer, Third Art 'Aegis Of Day's Light'
Kintaro met the Weapon Art however was instantly crushed under its immense power. The invisible projectile slash was tore apart against Kintaro's defence however completely shattered his Third Art in the process, simultaneously training the remainder of his stamina and resolve. The prince collapsed to his knees, his katana helplessly falling from his hand down to the ground beside him. He stared up defeated at his mentor, struggling to get breaths in and out of his lungs. Even fully recovered he didn't know how many of those attacks he could defend against and what was even worse he knew the Heaven's Blade was still holding back. If Sora was to unleash the true power of his First Art, Kintaro would be split in two even if he defended with his Third Art.
Diminishing thoughts raced through his mind as his anxiety once again surged into an attack. He wasn't ready. He doubted he'd ever be. He was going to fail everyone. He's no Kyu Shikuro.
"I think we'll call it there today young lord," Sora declared sheathing his magnificent katana. One of the Founding Blades. Of course they would, Kintaro wasn't strong enough to push on further. Kyu was trained against the Blades even more vigorously than Kintaro and he'd do it sometimes eight times a day. Kintaro looked down at himself collapsed on the ground in disgrace. "You've done well today Prince Asakari. Keep training and trust me you'll be ready. I'll have the rest of your training called off today but I'm afraid I can probably only buy you a few hours of rest before Runa comes looking for you again."
Kintaro nodded weakly. Sora strolled over to the defeated prince, picked his katana off the floor. "On your feet Kintaro."
With great pain and reluctance Kintaro stood and graciously accepted his katana before sheathing it back at his side. Sora bent down slightly to be eye level with his prince, "You'll be ready. We'll make sure of it, trust your Blades."
The Heaven's Blade then left Kintaro alone in the dojo with nothing but his doubts and fears.
Would he be ready though?
Kyu
After fending off one final attack, strong enough to tear down a temple, the Torrent Blade finally concluded their training for today and Kyu was allowed to fall to the dojo floor and rest.
He stared up at his mentor. The final twisting streams of water flowing around her katana faded back into atmospheric Retsu and Mizuchi Fuchi, the Torrent Blade, sheathed her weapon. She turned to face Kyu and to his surprise a small smile had cracked across her usual emotionless expression. It'd been awhile since he'd seen her smile. Mizuchi ran a hand to adjust and retie her long black hair that had been disturbed in their spar and then she patted down her blue and red haori.
"Did you really train with Mr Kagerou before?"
"Yes," Kyu panted. "Why?"
"You had me going for a while there, even had to go all out for a moment. And to do all that after going through his hellish training. I spoke to him before, seemed pissed, wanted me to try and break you," she locked onto his gaze and her smile widened a millimetre, "impressive. You're getting even stronger Kyu. Today was the first day I failed to break you." To Kyu's exhausted shock, Mizuchi's smile broke into a shining grin, gleaming like a tropical sea. "Keep it up. Little Shadow."
Before Kyu could retort, Mizuchi strolled from the dojo leaving him to stew in childish annoyance. He'd failed to get her back once again he thought grumpily.
"That actually wasn't bad," Miko's voice emerged from the entrance once again.
"Get bored again?"
"I did."
"You know can come in and watch, instead of hiding, Mizuchi wouldn't mind if its you."
Miko shrugged and she strolled across the dojo floor. "I prefer to hide, feels more natural to me."
"Fair enough," Kyu caught a strange glimmer in the shinobi's gaze, "you're not trying to resume that conservation are you?"
"I'm not. Just want to point out your progress. I'm not knowledgeable on the Blades of Akuresh by the standards of the Zansara's Ghosts even we'd find the rate at which your growing to be outstanding."
Kyu stood there stunned. He had not expected that. Something nice, was she having a stroke?
"What's the prince's full name?"
"I'm not having a stroke," Miko snapped.
"Just checking," Kyu said defensively, a grin playing at the corners of his mouth.
Suddenly their heads both snapped to the dojo's entrance as they sensed someone coming.
A youthful face, with pale skin and a bundle of black hair upon her head wandered in. She wore black cloth like Kyu and her grandfather and eyed Kyu cautiously as her fingers played nervously on the handle of her katana.
"Inei?" Kyu greeted the surprise visit. Miko leaned back with her hands on her hips, amused by the sudden appearance of the Shadow Blade's granddaughter. "Something wrong?"
"N-No. I was just erm -," suddenly she stopped and began to look around the dojo inspecting every inch as if some demonic entity could be lurking around, and her gaze would shoot behind at the entrance.
"Master isn't here or coming. Neither is any Blade for that matter. Just me and Miko."
"What's up shadow princess," Miko greeted, with a teasing grin beneath her mask.
Instantly Inei relaxed and she resumed forward with her usual confidence. "Are you free?" she asked Kyu.
"For a bit. Why?" he asked, but he already had a good idea on her answer. "Where are you meant to be?"
"Training with the other apprentices," Inei admitted. "But I'm not learning anything there, half of them can barely channel Retsu, and since my grandfather won't train me -"
"Yes because he doesn't want to torture in granddaughter half to death. You're lucky he entrusts it to me -"
"Well, I was kind of hoping you might be able to spare some time. Like you did when I was younger."
Initially he wanted to say no and go rest before he had to get back to work later that night, but hr quickly fell to Inei's puppy gaze. Kyu sighed and despite his exhaustion stood and stretched out his body, resulting in a series of sharp clicks.
"I can give you an hour," Kyu offered.
Inei grinned, "Thanks. I want to keep trying to perfect my Weapon Arts so I can show off to grandfather Kuro later."
"Good, I was going to have you demonstrate them all anyway. It's been awhile since I trained you and I need to see what I'm working with."
The two samurai prepared their stances and Miko stepped back to the edge of the dojo.
Suddenly Inei face lit up. "Oh later grandfather says we're going out for a meal. Will you be joining us?" she asked excitedly.
"No. I've got patrol again and have to train a squadron of samurai."
Inei's expression instantly sunk.
"Don't worry about it. Now attack!"
Kintaro
Even though night had thankfully come to steal the day away, Kintaro's mood hadn't lifted an inch since he'd been released from his training. In fact there was chance it'd had actually gotten worse. Straight after his training with Sora he'd been put through a vigorous session with Dai and then nearly straight after Runa, the Moon Blade, had quickly came and grabbed him. He spent the rest of the day helping her run the rebellion and keep his people alive and working. He didn't mind it though, despite it being dull work a lot of the time, it turned out he was actually quite at ruling and half the time enjoyed it. On top of that, despite his haunting thoughts his people seemed to truly like him which made trying to be the best prince for them a rewarding process. It was the only time when he actually believed he had any worth. As despite his own opinions, if the people of Akuresh believed in him maybe he could become the ruler they deserved.
Kintaro wandered mindlessly through streets, making his way across the outskirts of Kakureden, his eyes locked on the treeline. He always preferred to stay around the north of their headquarters where the treeline was thinnest and he could peek out into freedom beyond his cage of protection. Kintaro knew it was for his own safety and the survival of the rebellion, if his existence was to ever be discovered, his traitorous cousin would rain down hellfire upon them and everything would be lost. But, after been kept inside Kakureden, surrounded by walls of trees, for nearly all your life it slowly begins to chew at you like a starved dog. It was his kingdom outside those trees, his people that needed his help, his birthright stole right from beneath him through blood. Hate and rage swallowed him whole and his knuckles burnt white. What he wouldn't do to invade the capital and slaughter the False Light like he'd once done to all of Kintaro's family. Reluctantly he released the pressure in his fists and with it his anger. He couldn't, not just yet, the rebellion wasn't prepared and he certainly was not ready, Kintaro was no fool if he was to confront his cousin now he'd be killed without a doubt in his mind. On multiple accounts the False light has been stated to match the strength of Akuresh's Blades, and a powerful one at that. A flood of anxiety rampaged through him as he thought of battling the traitor emperor. Would he ever be ready? Would he ever be strong enough to reclaim Akuresh?
Hoping to distract himself, Kintaro continued to wander the north of Kakureden eyes never leaving the setting sun peeking through thin lines between tree trunks. He stuck mainly to the shadows, careful to avoid be spotted by anyone passing by. He technically wasn't meant to be outside the castle as night fell, even in the day he was meant to always have a guard with him (usually Kyu or one of the Blades). However, that was the final straw for Kintaro, he could accept remaining in Kakureden until the rebellion rose up but being restrained while in his home was too far for even him. As a result, Kyu brought his shinobi friend Miko up to him in the castle one day and under his instructions she showed him how to sneak in and out of the castle, although a tad reluctantly. Kintaro sensed she wasn't the fondest of him. Maybe she wasn't the right girl to try and unveil his charm on, but then again she was one of the first it had never worked on.
The powerful sound of numerous footsteps abruptly emerged ahead and Kintaro snuck into the shadows of a side street as a group of men rushed by. To his confusion they seemed to be in some kind of panic. What had happened? He emerged back into dying light of the street and watched as the panicked cohort rush towards the centre of Kakureden and by the looks of their path they were heading straight to the castle.
Suddenly a sharp light caught him in the corner of his eye. The sun couldn't have sunk that low already. Kintaro winced and looked back out towards the treeline to see what was blinding him. His brows furrowed. A violent amber light could be seen flickering through the trees. Kintaro wandered down from the streets and towards the trees to go get a closer look. Wasn't there a village a few miles out that way? Kintaro thought. As his curiosity carefully transversed him through the kilometre thick wall of trees he soon could clearly see what had caught his attention. Kintaro's eyes shot wide. Fire. The village was burning down. Suddenly anguished and horrified screams echoed hauntingly through the howls of the wind. Kintaro's heart dropped. The village was being attacked.
Despite everything he knew he was risking and how he was abandoning everything expected of him here, Kintaro's body moved. Before he even realised what he was doing, before he considering the consequences his muscles acted and he rushed out from the safety of Kakureden and darted towards the burning village. He sprinted fastest he'd ever ran, hand firmly upon his katana prepared to unleash it at any moment. Those were his people dying out there and only death would stop Kintaro from coming to their aid.
And so he did. Prince Kintaro Arakari answered his peoples call for aid and wielding his blade of light slaughtered the demonic forces that threatening his people, protecting the villagers until the forces of the rebellion arrived where he then vanished back to Kakureden without a trace.
From the lack of Blades and samurai searching his room, Kintaro was confident he'd successfully snuck back into his room without his absence ever being noticed.
As he closed his window, Kintaro found a bright grin upon his face and all his anxiety and worry had faded away deep within his souls. To his astonishment it had been replaced with excitement and endless hope. Saving that village, his people, ignited a roaring flame within his heart that he hadn't felt since he was a child back at the capital.
He could do this, steadily village by village, battle after battle he could lead the rebellion, he could save his nation, Kintaro could reclaim Akuresh.
Instantly Kintaro wanted to go find Kyu and train, the demonic force that had attacked today from his experience was on the weaker side. If he hoped to be able to single handedly a greater force he needed to be much stronger, especially if he also ever wanted to go head-to-head against a Blade. If he ever wanted to battle against the False Light he had to be bounds stronger.