by Damon Glatz
The Emperor stood straight. "Our wall will defend us like it always has."
"Falko is in control of the Earth Mythic powers. Our wall will crumble like mounds of sand in a storm. We will be defenseless against his might."
"If Falko controls the Earth Mythic abilities. How can you assure us victory at all in a land battle?"
"Because I will be there, the Mythic of Thunder will be there, we will fight him as one. We have battled the Earth Mythic before and won. But our armies must defeat his. Falko has to be crushed absolutely in order to establish peace."
"How can I trust a word you are saying? I have heard no news of an invasion force to the south. Do you wish to drain our lands of our armies? I will hear no more of this."
Daisuke shook his head.
"You must—"
"I must do nothing! You have no command inside the walls of this nation. You hold the sword of the Shogun but you are not worthy of that title. You have, and always will be, a traitor. I may not be able to kill you, but destroying me and this capital will serve your cause nothing. Our people and our army will never serve you. Leave my city or I will erase you from the histories and destroy your family legacy."
The Emperor was breathing heavily. Daisuke looked down at the ground.
This cannot be right. This was not supposed to be this way.
Daisuke stared at the emperor. Only a young man. How easily he could be burned away.
He's right, that would do me nothing.
Daisuke looked around the room. Archers aiming at him from every angle. Samurai that hated him. His own people.
They hate me. What lies has the empire been telling all these years? That I am some form of monster.
Daisuke looked at his hands. Engulfed in a clear red flame. Flames that have taken the lives of countless men. He completely extinguished the fire around him. The men lowered their guard.
No.
Daisuke stared down the Emperor once again.
"I will defend my people. And my emperor. Whether they want me to or not. A Shogun never leaves his position. A Shogun will always do what is right for his men. And take victory at any cost. I will save our empire."
The Emperor made a scowl.
"And when it is all over. I will be back for you." Daisuke grimaced.
Daisuke turned and began to walk out of the room.
"Guards! Stop him!"
There was a blast of heat that sent each man flying into the walls of the chamber. Daisuke never broke his stride. He opened the doors of the chamber himself and exited the palace. The guards stood aside as he walked past.
"Shogun Daisuke!" The Blood Red Spades saluted from their position on the steps.
"We are leaving this place." Daisuke stepped down to meet them.
"Are we not securing an army?"
"No. We must find another way."
"As you command." Minamoto gave a signal and each man about-faced in formation. Daisuke took his place at their lead.
"This is far from over. I will be back. And I will take the Shogunate by force if I have to. This Empire does not know what is best for it. I overestimated it. Our nation is a spoiled child, it knows nothing of the truth. I will be its teacher."
"What happened?!" The men rushed at Marcus when he entered back through the passageway. He had left some time earlier when word had spread of the news.
"Galius... Is dead," he said in a solemn low voice. "His family took his body to his home, I was able to recover only this..."
Marcus lifted a playing card in one hand while holding a sack of game pieces in another. The card was a red King. Galius' card.
The men could see there was a message on the card.
"What does it say?"
Marcus held it in front of him, there was a coded shorthand message only he could interpret.
"Falko is preparing to move, ready the men."
Leif walked forward. "How could he know this? How did he know he was going to be killed?"
"It looks like Falko challenged him to a game of Kings. This proved two things. One, Falko was aware of Galius' role as one of his enemies. Which more than likely would lead to his death. And exposing him would imply he was close to mobilizing his forces. Also, Kings is traditionally played by opposing sides before a battle. Galius and Falko would have known that. Thus confirming his suspicions. Galius managed to get the note down, on something only we would find, in the event of his murder. He was always thinking one move ahead."
"Aye. Clever man." Leif looked away. "Now what?"
"We follow Galius' plan. And if he thought Falko is ready for war, then we need to be too. Send the signal to Nicholas and Daisuke. Things are moving faster than we anticipated."
The golden shore radiated its waves on the sandy beaches. The twilight sunset sparked its glistening jewels into the deep blue sea. Ohitekah and Sierra sat together for a moment to take it all in.
"I've never seen the Western sea before. I've never even left the city before. It’s beautiful."
"I can't imagine what it’s like." Ohitekah spoke quietly "To not spend your whole life moving around as I did. Only staying in one place. An area that never changes. It sounds so constricting."
Sierra nodded. "Well, I can't imagine spending every day on the move. Having no place to call home."
"Home is what you take with you. The whole world is my home."
"That's a good way to think about it." Sierra smiled. "Let’s grab a ship."
Ohitekah and Sierra descended into the shipping village. It was similar to one Ohitekah had visited before when they landed back on the plains with Nicholas. This one was about the same size. Sailors, merchants, and warriors from the Vatnic isles were all moving about and doing their business. Ohitekah found a stable to keep the horses and they found their way to the harbor master.
"Excuse me, sir," Ohitekah said to the man behind a desk.
"Ey? What you want tribe boy?" The man stood up.
"We'd like a ship to King's Rock. We're friends of King Nicholas."
"Yea, everyone's a friend of the king nowadays." The man spoke in a gruff raspy voice, he was not impressed by either of the two he was talking to. "It’ll be fifty coppers or ten silvers for the next one. Leaves in about ten minutes."
Ohitekah felt his pockets. "I... Uhh."
Sierra rolled her eyes. "Here's ten silver coins, thank you."
"Gotcha. The ship with the red sails over there." He pointed to a ship that had a few men carrying crates and supplies onto it. The harbormaster made a loud whistle that turned the heads of the men standing on the ship. He then raised two fingers and pointed to Ohitekah and Sierra. The men on the ship nodded and continued their work.
"Thank you." Ohitekah turned to face Sierra.
"I should have figured you had no money. Not like you really need it though." Sierra turned and walked away from him towards the ship.
"Where did you get your money from?" Ohitekah jogged to catch back up to Sierra.
"Galius gives us an allowance, sometimes we get bonuses from jobs. A good bulk of mine had gone into the development of my mech-blade. The rest I've been saving. We shouldn't have to worry about it."
Sierra walked onto the wooden docks of the harbor. They approached the ship with red sails. Sierra threw her hood over her head before getting too close. Ohitekah stayed behind her, unsure why she would do that.
The captain of the ship walked to the edge of the deck to watch them.
"Aye! You're the two new mates? Come aboard, we're ready to ship off."
Sierra walked up the wooden ramp and onto the deck without saying a word. Ohitekah followed her lead.
"A quiet bunch. No matter. We're a fast ship, we'll get there quick. It’s a straight trip to King's Rock from the bulge. One of the shortest trips."
"Thank you," Ohitekah spoke up.
"My pleasure. What are your lad's names?"
Ohitekah gave a laugh. "Oh Sierra isn't a boy, but I'm Ohitekah."
The captain gave a smirk
.
"Oh? A woman on board?" A few of the sailors cocked their heads to see her. "To what do we owe the honor?"
Sierra flicked her thumb and a blade shot out of her sheath with a ring of metallic grinding. The sailors jumped back in alarm.
"We didn't mean nothin’ by it, ma'am." The captain raised his hands a little bit. "We meant no harm."
Her blade retreated back into its sheath just as fast as it came out. She shot Ohitekah a glance before walking to the bow of the ship.
The captain cleared his throat.
"Prepare to set sail lads. Kings Rock." The captain walked to the back of the ship.
Ohitekah went over to where Sierra was standing. The ship began moving beneath him as it moved out to sea.
"Sorry about that."
"Try to keep our identities a secret. Alright? At the very least my personal information. I don't trust any of these men." Sierra took a deep breath and looked out to the sea in front of her.
"I didn't realize what you were doing, won't happen again."
"It’s fine," She said after a pause. "You just don't realize what I have to put up with. It gets old."
Ohitekah frowned. "Is that why you cut your hair so short?"
Sierra turned to face him. "I cut my hair because it's easier to kill people. Honestly, I suggest you do the same."
Ohitekah moved his hand through his straight black hair that went well down past his shoulders. It was much longer than Sierra's; who's barely went down her neck. Only a bit could be seen peeking out from under her hood.
"You think so?" He said thinking out loud.
She let out a light laugh.
"No... I like it." She cracked a smile. "I never see guys with long hair. It suits you."
Ohitekah let out a beaming smile. "Hah! Really?" He paused for a moment. "Well, I never see girls with short hair like yours. It’s pretty cool."
Sierra smiled for a moment. Ohitekah reached up and pulled the hood off her head. She spun around to correct it but paused when she caught his face.
"You need to let down your guard, just a little," Ohitekah said with a smile. "Don't worry, I think we can beat up some creepy old sailors… If we need to."
"Hah." Sierra turned her head to look at the men behind her. Some of them would take a glance to look at her before returning to their work. "Well, I could definitely take them on. You? Maybe one or two. I don't know, they're pretty big."
Ohitekah shot her a glance. "Hey! I am the Thunder Mythic, you know."
"Oh, that's right. I keep forgetting." She smirked and faced the sea again. "You could have fooled me."
Ohitekah let out a sigh. "Yeah, thanks. I try."
They both took a moment to appreciate the spray of the salty breeze. The sound of the waves rocking the ship back and forth. The sun setting on the dark waters directly in front of them. As if they were sailing on a long red trail that went on forever.
"Do you think we can do it?" Sierra asked quietly. "You think we can actually beat Falko?"
Ohitekah let out a deep breath. "I don't think we have a choice. We have to beat Falko. I don't know what would happen if we didn't."
"I'm going to have to split from you to help Galius in the city," Sierra said softly. "You need to be smart? Okay? Falko is a tough fighter. Don't let him get the edge. I won't be there to help you."
"Sierra, I—"
She snapped to his eyes. "Don't say you don't need my help! I need you to be careful. Please. Because I don't know if I could bring you back—"
She turned to face away from him before finishing her sentence.
Ohitekah took a step toward her and wrapped his arms around her. Her shoulders dropped their tension a little bit.
"When it's all over you won't have to worry. I'll come straight back to find you."
"You better," Sierra spoke after clearing her throat. "Because I don't want to be the next Earth Mythic if Falko hurt you."
Ohitekah let out a laugh and moved away from her with a smile.
"You don't need to worry about me. Everything is going to work out fine."
Chapter Twenty Seven
Wings of Death
"Damn the Gods!" Minamoto shouted. There was a loud crash as he lifted a table threw it across the room and into a wall, destroying it into wooden shards. Daisuke sat meditating in the dark behind him. They were back in the Blood Red Spade headquarters under Ashikaga's castle.
"Calm yourself, Minamoto." Daisuke took a series of slow and deep inhales. "Only foolish actions come from harsh energies."
"I beg your forgiveness, Shogun. I did not see you there." He gave a bow.
Daisuke stood up. "You are excused." Daisuke began pacing the room.
"With all due respect... What are we to do? We have no army and no reinforcements."
Daisuke took another forced breath before answering.
"We must find another way to support the Tribes. If not with the Northern forces."
Minamoto paused to think, it was harder than he wished. He was ready to kill the current Shogun, siege the capital, and give his life for the true leader of the Feng Dynasty armies. Daisuke pulled them back. Said it was not worth it. Minamoto was not sure if he agreed. They had their opportunity to take control of the nation and Daisuke retreated.
"If we seized the capital..." Daisuke faced Minamoto, sensing his frustration. "It would have led to a civil war. One between the supporters of the old regime, and the new. Daimyos would have taken sides. Sworn oaths to me or Tokugawa. We would have won, yes but it would have taken us too long to do any good against Falko's forces. A victory would be long and useless."
"Forgive me. I should have never doubted you, Shogun." Minamoto dropped to his knees and bowed.
Daisuke's voice lowered. "But you have my word Minamoto... Once we have beaten Falko. And this business with Orbis is settled. We will go back to the Immortal Palace and remove Tokugawa from power. He is making our nation weak. Our Emperor is young and foolish. We need to save it from itself."
Minamoto rose from the floor. "Yes. Of course. I am sorry to yet again disappoint you."
"You are far from disappointing. Do not be so hard on yourself."
A door opened suddenly. One of the members of the Order ran inside with a message in his hand. He gave a low bow and opened the scroll.
"What is it?" Minamoto walked forward and took the message from the man.
"An urgent message from our men in Orbis sir. It just arrived by hawk." The samurai stood up. Daisuke turned to him, his face stone.
Minamoto took a moment to read the scroll. "Galius is dead."
Daisuke stood still, waiting to hear more.
"Falko is preparing to move his forces. They ask us to send our support south as fast as possible."
Daisuke turned his back to them.
"He is moving much faster than planned. I thought we would have more time."
Why Galius? How much does Falko know?
Minamoto took a step toward Daisuke.
"I will march south with all my men to lend our support." Minamoto stood tall. "We will take the front lines with the Thunder Mythic and defend the Plains."
Daisuke turned to face him. "I cannot promise you backup but I do have a plan."
"We will be all the army the Tribesmen will need. My men are the best in the world."
Daisuke gave a nod.
This is a suicide mission if I fail to bring reinforcements... He knows it.
"We will all fight with the honor and strength of our glorious leader, Shogun Daisuke. We will not fail you."
Daisuke gave him a bow. Minamoto returned the gesture.
"I will be there to back you up. I will be coming from the East..."
Daisuke turned to exit the room. Minamoto paused for a moment.
"Daisuke..." He began. The Shogun hesitated before walking out the doorway, he turned his head back. "There is something you need to know." Minamoto motioned for the messenger to leave the room. Once he had, Minamoto reached into hi
s cloak and pulled out a small book bound in leather. Daisuke took it cautiously and examined it.
"These are Ashikaga's notes," Minamoto said quietly. "You were not the only reason the Spades were created. There is a secret only the highest of us know. Something Ashikaga discovered himself. These were written for you." Daisuke squinted, trying to get a read on him.
"What are they?" Daisuke took the bound leather book into his hands.
"The secret," Minamoto whispered. "…to killing the Gods."
The ship cruised into the bustling port. Ohitekah looked around at the other ships that were tied down. Most of them were damaged, still being rebuilt after their battle with the Mythic not too long ago. Many of the men were moving lumber onto the harbor for construction. Even in the early sunrise, the docks were as busy as ever.
"Disembark!" The captain shouted from the helm. "Men. Unload the crates, we're pulling out in an hour."
The crew jumped to their feet and began moving boxes off the ship. This must have been more supplies for the other ships to use for rebuilding, the battle with the Water Mythic was only a few days ago and the fleet was in desperate need of work. A harbor master walked aboard and began discussing payment and shipment with the Captain.
Ohitekah jumped off the side of the ship before the walkway was raised. Sierra did the same. They were ready to be off the boat.
"We should hurry," Sierra commented as they walked up the docks. "We can probably talk to Nicholas and get back on the same ship before they set sail. We're not tourists, we have a job to do."
"Right," Ohitekah agreed. They picked up their pace and moved up the cliffs to the top of the rocky island.
Ohitekah remembered the last time he was here. He charged up the trails with Nicholas and his men so he could fight Ivan. Things were much calmer this time. He looked over to Sierra, as she took a few glances around to see the island. Despite not wanting to be a tourist, she was taking in all she could.