Ryogji
Akuresh's soul rested a few miles from the northern coast just as it had for over a millennia. Still as magnificent, dazzling and grand as the day of its construction, like it was immune to time's claws.
The capital city was vast and slowly elevated up three tiers as it reached the royal castle. It was a complex, beauty of architecture, its smooth white streets and roads flawless, thick stronghold walls guarding its outskirts, ruby tiled shops, restaurants, homes and towering watch towers and pagodas. But despite its breathtaking appearance through every street, alley and district the royal castle was by far the country's heart, by far its most extraordinary and important sight.
It stood at the centre of the city at its highest district and far above the protective moat outside the city walls. It was for all purposes enormous, towering over everything and everyone, its peak could be admired for miles around. The main part of its body was a like a fortress, thought impenetrable, decorated by dozens of watch towers and sprouting up from the centre of its foundations was a gigantic pagoda spanning up towards the clouds, ringed by balconies at every story.
At the zenith of the castle, standing on tenth level of the pagoda, the emperor of Akuresh rested against the railing. In complete silence, he watched out over his city analysing every detail like a hawk.
He was an imposing figure, taller than the average man with a body built for battle. A sharp face crafted by the gods and eyes of pure gold. His long, blonde hair, so bright it almost shone white, was tied up into a tight knot as an emperors should be with the golden ornament of his blood. His birthright, the crown of Akuresh rested upon his head, a few lose bangs falling over it. It was a simple but beautiful forgery of gemstones and sculptures of their mythology.
Ryogji Asakari's grip tightened around the handle of his blade of myth, the Founding Blade of the Lightbringer's Path and the most sacred relic of Akuresh. The God-like weapon was bigger than your standard katana, with a blade of kaezium that shone like white platinum and a guard of ivory steel and gold.
He scanned over the numerous of dojos, martial academies and training grounds scattered over his city. Filled with training samurai and apprentices striving to earn and progress their strength and ranks in their society. His numbers were now soaring into the hundreds. After over a century of decay, Akuresh was finally being restored to its legendary glory, it wouldn't be long now. Down below dozens of his, newly established, Shards trained and fought vigorously to evolve their skills and talents in order to finally ascend to the godlike rank of Blades and join their emperor and his guard.
Ryogji's face hardened to diamond and his simple observation warped into a glare. His grip became constricting and his knuckles shone white. It wouldn't be enough. Akuresh needed to ascend past its historic strength and trespass into the realm of the gods. They needed to grow even stronger. They had to.
Ryogji scowled. Training will have to become even more vigorous. More weakness would need to be culled. Despite his differences with his father they could always agree upon one thing. Only strength could be allowed to breed and thrive in their society's foundations, less they wish to devolve to the nation his uncle and grandfather had ruled. A memory of his father flashed across his mind for a split moment before Ryogji cut it down. It's a shame that his father's reasons betrayed their purpose, mistaking becoming a slave with earning power yourself. The reason he had to go. For the sake of Akuresh.
Reluctantly, Ryogji craned his attention behind him to the glistening, crystal waves of the vast sea. Weakness could not be allowed he recited in his mind again. Otherwise when war came … Akuresh would fall. Their alliance will expire sooner or later, he'd make sure of it himself. He was subservient to no one.
The sound of heavy footsteps snapped the Ryogji from his thoughts and he turned to see a pair of gigantic figures join him atop of the pagoda, both so tall they were required to duck beneath the door frame. They both glanced around and upon seeing they were alone their rigid and formal posture dropped immediately to a lax, casual but still powerful stance.
Ryogji felt his mood lift and a smile blossom across his face as he was reunited with his childhood cohort. "Please tell me you've brought good news."
The tallest of the two, Yulon, winced. Hailing from Yujin and eldest son of the noble family that had once fostered Ryogji, he was an intimidating figure, carved for combat from pristine, marble like muscle. Onyx markings of serpentine dragons coiled around his arms and back and his long, black hair was tied high with a golden ornament that bared his family's crest, thick tails falling elegantly over his shoulders and down his back.
Besides him, Bhata couldn't be so different, replacing the Yujin prince's elegance and silk robe with bestial pelts, cloth and the barbaric savagery of the Morelian Winterlands he once called home. He was a berserker through and through, built of bulging muscle, runic tattoos and a mane and beard of wild, crimson hair, as if it be dyed with blood in the womb. Yet despite his appearance he possessed a terrifying, cunning, intellect for battle making him, alongside Yulon as, one of the greatest warriors that fought upon Akuresh.
"We bring only trouble I'm afraid," Bhata informed, in a formality that didn't match the gruff growls of his voice.
Ryogji loosed an exasperated sigh. Of course. "What is it?"
"Demon attacks have been spreading from midlands and the south to more populated settlements. Just as we returned we had to clear a horde from a nearby farmland," Yulon informed.
"Again," Ryogji snarled, his mood instantly souring. "I'll speak to Taloth again, this is the fourth time they've strayed." Ryogji cursed to himself. While reluctantly, it was he who allows them to feast and satiate their bloodlust upon the midlands as penance for once supporting the rebellion and yet that bastard pushes his boundaries again and again. Yet as an attempt Ryogji had no doubt to remind him of the power he holds in his country, he lets them loose upon his people. A reminder of the alliance that he was forced to inherit in order for survival. Ryogji gritted his teeth at his own weakness, if he didn't require the foreigners strength and his demon forces to face the greater threat he'd assemble his Blades and cut the abomination down himself. No, he reminded himself, with time he still would.
"And Ryo," Yulon spoke up again. Ryogji turned his attention back to his friend and commander. "While we were in the Midlands rumours have been emerging."
Ryogji cocked a brow. "Of what nature?"
"Dangerous rumours," Yulon stated starkly. Bhata glared darkly besides his fellow commander.
"Speak."
"Multiple accounts of a powerful warrior have been spreading like wildfire. A supposed hero liberating villages and towns from demon attacks … he wields a blade of light. A katana of light," Yulon informed.
Ryogji froze. He struggled to compose himself. He spoke slowly. "Is there truth behind these rumours? Or are they like the rebellion arising once again even stronger out of thin air? How can we be sure this isn't just another wandering samurai, a dying and lost echo of the imperium, saving anyone they come across in hopes it may restore even an iota of their honour."
"This is different I'm afraid Ryogji. Whoever this warrior is I expect he is real and he's inspiring hope as he slaughters those abominations. The people are spreading his stories like an infestation as if just knowing of the light warrior will keep them safe."
"The light blade?"
"The same in every story told. A samurai wielding the same Path as you. Another lightbringer."
"There hasn't been another light wielder outside my blood in centuries," Ryogji stated darkly. Knowing the consequences of what this could mean all too well. His jaw strained as his teeth grinded together. This couldn't be ignored.
"Ryo?" Yulon stated as his friend's silence grew deafening and Bhata began to fidget restlessly. "There's more, rumours of a rebellion are sparking once again and, with wandering warrior of light, I fear they might not just be blind hopes of the traitors. There more than just whispers this time."
It felt as if a cold icy wind has just passed over him. "Where's the Death Blade?" Ryogji inquired darkly.
"Missing again. Vanished a week ago."
Ryogji cursed. "I swear I've heard more about Thanjin than actually seen the bastard. I shall be having words once he returns." Irritation consumed him. He had a warrior who could rival a shinobi of Zansara in the talents of stealth and infiltration yet could never get is hands upon him.
"You believe he'll listen then?" Bhata questioned, a bestial grin slicing open his face. "You could always let us talk to him."
Ryogji grunted in irritation. "Never mind him, you two will go in his stead." Ryogji didn't want to send away his friends, they were the only two people he trusted completely and preferred them by his side, especially during times like these. But what choice did he have, if the rumours about this wandering samurai were true the consequences could be catastrophic. He needed to regain control of his nation.
"Your instructions?" Yulon inquired hastily, distastefully glancing as their bloodthirsty friend's hands twitched around the axes hanging from his waste.
"Investigate these claims. If it is true another unknown samurai of my path has somehow been born first offer diplomacy, invite them into our imperium. Another light wielder will be invaluable to me. I've tried to a hundred times to produce more of my kind yet never succeeded once. Until my future offspring this warrior may be the only other in Akuresh." Ryogji decided he'd also have Taloth concentrate the demonic forces upon where this warrior has been sighted. If there was another rebellion rising he'd lure them out and cut them from his nation root and stem. Unification was the only chance Akuresh had for survival, he needed his nation's full strength.
"And if they reject our offer?"
"Silence them. Return their weapon to the capital. Kaezium weaponry of the Lightbringer Path is exceedingly rare since the last blacksmith who could work my Founding Blade passed." To think there once was an entire legion of his kind, Ryogji thought bitterly.
Yulon nodded but then hesitated. Eventually he met his emperors gaze once more. "And what if we discover there is a reason this samurai can wield a blade of light."
"Speak clearly." Ryogji stated, although he knew what his friend was trying to say. The same possibility that had his heart and emotions rampaging.
"What if your father failed a decade ago. What if one of your cousins still live."
Ryogji strained his jaw so violently it felt as if his teeth were about to crack. For the first time he could remember fear crept through his veins. "Finish the job my father stated. Erase them from the surface of Akuresh."