WHOOSH

  The sound of a sword cutting the air.

  CLANG

  the sound of two blades clash with each other.

  CLANG

  CLANG

  WHOOSH

  Those two sounds sound in the air in a harmony that can only be created in a fight. Sometimes, these two sounds are interrupted by Asata’s muffled scream of pain. In just several attacks, Asata already fall to the ground.

  As he lie on the ground, he can see the assassin walks slowly to Princess Tomoko, who is sitting on the ground. He can see the kanji for “kokoro” on the assassin’s back.

  Asata: Stop it!

  The assassin doesn’t listen, she keeps approaching the princess.

  Asata: Don’t do it!

  The assassin stops in front of Princess Tomoko, she raises her katana.

  Princess Tonoko: Asata, you said you’ll protect me.

  Asata: STOP IIIIIIIT!

  The assassin swings her katana down.

  Asata: NOOOOOOO

  Asata woke up in his room. The train is still moving at a constant speed, rocking his room. Only the moon is visible from his window, the rest of the scenery is dark.

  His breath is heavy, he is sweating bullets. This is not the first time he have had this nightmare, and certainly not the last.

  The door to his room suddenly opens, a small ray of light came in from the corridor.

  Luna: Did you have a nightmare?

  Asata: Shut up.

  Luna: Hey, I’m being nice here since you yelled so loud I can hear you from my room.

  Asata: Now you’re in my room, what do you want?

  Luna: Nothing, just checking. Maybe you need some company after your nightmare.

  Asata: I don’t. Just leave me alone.

  Luna: You’re not the friendliest companion are you? Fine, just let me know if you change your mind.

  Luna closed Asata’s room door, leaving him in his dark room again. After that, it was hard for him to go back to sleep, but he force himself anyway.

  Night changes to day, and it’s at the evening of that day the train arrives at their destination: Tousaki, the capital of Kai. The city is colored yellow by the light of lanterns spread all over. The streets are filled with people walking around. At the center of the city, lies the big castle where the shogun and his families live, the walls surrounding it is tall, its gate is guarded by the royal samurais, and there are also strong magical wards placed around the castle.

  Asata and Luna are walking at the streets of Tousaki, in the middle of the crowd.

  Luna: The streets are so lively tonight, I wonder is there a festival?

  Asata: Beats me, that’s not the important thing now.

  Luna: Right, so where’s this hidden passage?

  Asata: Don’t be too loud and just follow me.

  Asata led Luna to a dark alley near one of the town gates, even though it’s close from the park, that spot is pretty hidden from view. Asata lit a small torch to make the place visible. At the end of the alley, there’s a teleportation circle surrounded by 5 stone blocks.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Luna: The escape route is pretty simple, huh. Why isn’t there any guard here?

  Asata: Guarding a secret route would just tell the enemy that there is a secret route here.

  Luna: That makes sense, but I thought there is a ward that blocks teleportation magic in the castle?

  Asata: Wouldn’t be much of a secret route if this one doesn’t have a special exception.

  Luna: Right. So, how do we activate it?

  Asata approaches the teleportation circle and whisper the command word.

  Asata: Gate.

  One stone block shines dimly, followed by the second, and the third, until all the stone blocks shine and the pattern of the teleportation circle also glows a dim light. Asata steps into the teleportation circle, without waiting for Luna. Luna quickly follows him inside the teleportation circle.

  Both of them are now inside the castle, they are in a dark room somewhere in the castle. Asata opens the sliding door and slowly walks outside, there’s also no guards there. They are somewhere on the upper floor of the castle, they can see the moon from a small window.

  They are actually not in the main castle building, but in another building that’s connected to the castle via a long corridor.

  Luna: Ooh, I can sense the protection magic here is really strong.

  Asata: It have to be, this is where the shogun sleeps, the protection have to be the best.

  Luna: I hate to brag, but we have stronger magic in Brirene. We are the best when it comes to arcane power.

  Asata: Yeah, yeah, I get it. Now can you quiet down and follow me. We don’t want to be seen.

  Luna: Are you okay, Asata? You look kind of pale.

  Asata: As long as we don’t meet midaidokoro-sama, I’ll be fine.

  Asata leads the way, both of them tip-toeing on the wooden floor, trying to avoid patrolling guards. After some time, they stop in front of big doors with royal crest on it. The shogun’s chamber.

  ???: Who’s there!

  Asata: Crap, it’s the guard!

  Nijou: Asata? What are you doing here?

  Asata: Nijou? So you’re the royal guard now? Sorry, but I REALLY need to talk to the shogun. I have to warn him about something dangerous.

  Nijou: Asata, how did you get in this far undetected? Your clan banished you, you shouldn’t be here.

  Asata: I know you have questions, but we really don’t have time for this. Shogun’s life is in danger.

  Nijou: From my perspective, you’re the danger here Asata. Surrender now, or I’ll have to use force.

  Asata: Nijou, stop this. We really don’t need to-

  Nijou: You leave me no choice, Asata.

  Nijou draws his sword, Asata draws his too just an instant moment after. In a fast movement, both of them already clash swords. The sound of steel meet steel fill the hallway.

  Nijou slashes again, Asata parried that attack successfully before returning the attack, Nijou jumped back to avoid it.

  Asata thrusts his sword and a ball of energy shoots out from his katana, this attack landed on Nijou successfully.

  Nijou steps forward and slash vertically at Asata, who sidesteps to avoid it. Asata then swings at Nijou and wound his left arm.

  Asata slashes Nijou again, Nijou blocks it with his katana.

  Nijou swigns at Asata’s head, Asata crouches down to avoid it.

  Asata sweeps Nijou’s legs to knock him down.

  Nijou rises up and swings at Asata in one quick move, Asata block that attack with his katana.

  Asata lands a strong kick at Nijou’s body, which pushes Nijou back.

  Nijou jumps forward and swings his katana in a horizontal motion, Asata saw the attack coming and easily jumps back to avoid it.

  Asata shoots his ball of energy again at Nijou, only stronger this time. The attack hits Nijou directly again, and he falls to the wooden floor.

  Asata: You should remember that you never beat me, Nijou.

  Luna: He’s… still alive, right?

  Asata: Of course he is, he’s just sleeping there for a moment. Now, I need to see the shogun.

  Asata sheathes his katana and opens the sliding door, and before him lies the shogun’s chamber. The chamber is pretty big, about 20 tatami mats in total, there’s barely any furniture here, the window is closed, there’s a woman statue made of wood standing by the window. Meanwhile, there is a man sitting on the futon in the middle of the room, as if waiting for someone. Shogun Nobusuke.

  The wooden woman statue suddenly turns to Asata and Luna.

  Wooden woman: Threat identified, eliminate the dangers no-

  Nobusuke: Stand down Midori, do not attack these two. You are not here to harm me, right Asata?

  Asata kneels down and bow.

  Asata: I am honored that you still remember me after my failure.

  Nobusuke: I know you’re about to come. I have been having dreams recently, and I know these are not normal dreams. When I ask the seer, everything becomes clear: There is a danger looming on the world, and we have to stop it.

  Asata: What do you mean, I have to stop it?

  Nobusuke: You’re one of the warriors in my dream that are fighting these monsters from the shadows. You coming here is not a coincidence, it is fate.

  Asata: I must tell you that there are people planning to assassinate you. The same people also mentioned a prophecy and 10 headed dragon.

  Nobusuke: The 10 headed dragon are in Su, you have to stop them from getting their hands on it.

  Asata: About the prophecy?

  Nobusuke: I’m afraid I don’t know much about the prophecy, but the prophet of Hodora could help. The prophet is famous for having a strong divination power.

  Luna: I’m sorry if I interrupted the serious discussion, but I’m amazed at this… artificer-made human. Is she your guard, Lord Nobusuke?

  Nobusuke: Yes, Midori is the most advanced artificer-made human we’ve ever made. She doesn’t need sleep, eat, or drink. Perfect for guarding me all day and night long.

  CRAASH

  There’s a loud sound like a big glass is broken accompanied by a blinding light. After a moment and the shine is fading, a long haired woman in black clothes stands in front of the shogun, the kanji for “kokoro” is written on her back. She looks like a swordsman judging from the katana on her waist.

  Nobusuke: What? Who are you?

  Black haired woman: You need to die, shogun!

  The black haired woman draws her sword, slashes the shogun’s chest, and then sheathes her katana again.

  Asata: NOOOOO, NOBUSUKE SAMA!

  That woman turns back and look at Asata, and her face shows a look of surprise.

  Black haired woman: You again? Are you also the one who took the scroll from my men? Heh. Fate sure is surprising. I really wanted to take that scroll but sadly, I can’t stay for long here.

  Another blinding light flashes the room, after that that woman disappears from the room.