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Thunder clapped in the distant heavens. Rain drizzled lightly from the sky,
like a mass of pure and gentle snow. Deafening screeches exiting the mouths of
the ravens pierced the entire head of the forest canopy. Branches chock full of
leaves swayed uncomfortably against the distant gust of wind. Animals to and
fro scavenged desperately for shelter, sensing the storm approaching. Amongst
the chaos, Hikaru fought hard, battling the repellent that the wild nature has
wrought upon him.
Up ahead was the distant destination that he had to reach before dusk.
Things tended to get much too dicey from a late report. Hikaru ran as fast as
he could, gathering speed. However, his journey was cut short as a sleek arrow
whizzed by him, startling him. What? He froze, and swung his sword to deflect
yet another arrow. It hit with a clink against the edge of his blade and
ricocheted off a nearby stump. He plucked the arrow from the ground, flinging
it towards the original point. Catching a glimpse of several men beneath the
green lush, Hikaru was bewildered. Why here? Leaving him no time to
counteract, the soldiers sprang from the bushes in an attempt of an ambush.
However, the effort proved futile. Firmly holding his sword below the hilt,
Hikaru fought back with instinct. There were over fifty soldiers, plated with
thick armor and shields. Yet, numbers dwindled as Hikaru dodged between sword
and man, slashing countless bodies as numbers continued pouring in like a herd
of mad rhinoceros.
Dyeing the edge of his weapon red, he continued to maneuver through them
easily. Questions filled his head, irritating him to the bone. These
are his men; why are they here? Did they track me from afar?
Furthermore, why do they choose to attack me? This doesnt make any sense. But
first, I must save my own skin from death. The cloud of confusion in his
mind blinded his skill. At that moment, a blade from the left snagged the hilt
of Hikarus sword, and flung it out of his hands. Lost amongst the tall grass,
Hikaru stumbled upon the hard earth, as the ring of men encircled him. The
premature fight finally ceased, when a voice shouted above the chaos.
"Thats enough." The voice, dreadfully cold, reversed the chills
back to Hikarus spine. Echoing, the words repeated themselves alongside the
thumping of his heart. Cautiously, Hikaru turned his head, immediately
recognizing the speaker. His eyes met with another human, much older than him.
But the man was immensely different.
The tall figure had a highly muscular stature, with broad shoulders. He
stood over six feet tall, with a dark robe that covered his entire body like the
clouds that block the moon from revealing its light. He carried no weapon, but
only several needles by his side with a potion flask. To his left was a brown
leather pouch half hidden behind the black robe. His face, however, was most
unforgettable. His pupils showed a dark crimson red, emanating the color of
fresh blood. Across his left eye, there was a devastating scar that started at
his hairline till the neck. His gaze was utmost penetrating. And unlike the
other soldiers, he had a large, but long face, representing his clever
wickedness. His brow was thin with hair, and his forehead was covered with
dark, glossy hair.
Hikaru, dumbfounded, exclaimed, "My deepest apologies," He
immediately curled up on the ground, as if bowing to a god. "I did not
realize it was you, my lord."
The man blinked, and his lips curled with a malicious smile. "No no
no. There is absolutely no need to apologize. Come, rise, no need for
formalities."
Hikaru bleakly answered, "I dare not to, my lord."
The emperor fiddled with his nails, flicking off the dust that was comprised
beneath them. He was not surprised. "So you do know your place."
With a swift bash, the royal hand swept Hikaru across the face. "Or do
you, my young Hikaru?"
Hikaru, half dazed from the blast, gasped for air. He was on all-fours,
with spit and blood drooling from his mouth. There was silence amongst the
soldiers. Shaking, Hikaru pulled himself off the ground to resume his proper
position, and bowed. Hints of blood still trickled down his mouth upon his
robes.
"Lord Zaku, I was only..."
"I do not need to hear it. You sneak out during the night without my
permission and now, you openly defy my orders, assailing your own people."
He paused, and his lips slowly curled up into smile. "But, its interesting
how we now lie in the eastern forest, so close to a few...adversaries".
Hikaru gulped. Keeping his eyes on the soil, he strained from avoiding the
sight of Zakus feet pacing.
"But, what do you know? Hikaru, thanks that you decided to take a
stroll, saving me quite some effort. Our scouts traced your path and apparently
stumbled upon..." Zaku faced Hikaru, with a smug look upon his face.
"...the Yokai Wolves."
Hikarus eyes widened. No
Zaku cackled with mirth. "Ha! Years, has it been? I have not seen
such a potent tribe for thirteen years, ever since the destruction at North
Peak. Formidableyes, indeed." He twisted his face, contorting it into a
wicked gesture. Looking Hikaru in the eye, Zaku paused. "Hikaru, I want
you to lead the attack."
At the sound of his last words, Hikarus heart dropped, feeling as if he was
stumbling into a vortex of darkness. His head cocked to one side, stammering,
"Why, do you want me to..."
"Do I need to repeat myself?", came the abrupt reply. Hikaru did
not answer, feeling a drop of cold sweat trickle down his haunted countenance.
Zaku only frowned, and inquired, "Have you forgotten who you are, General
Hikaru?"
This hit the target. Hikaru sank low and bowed, mumbling,
"No."
"I will be awaiting your good news." With that, Zaku averted his
threatening eyes from Hikaru to the setting sun. He strolled off, with hundreds
of other men trailing behind, like a gigantic pack of wolves. In minutes, they
were gone. All that remained was Hikaru, still on his trembling knees,
surrounded by his squadrons foot soldiers, beneath the red sky.
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