1ˢᵗ Day of the 5ᵗʰ month called Dana
The majestic X-You Mountain towers above all mountain peaks in the bordering forest of Kokoro Island, its rugged peak shrouded in a veil of mist. The sun's rays danced across its slopes, casting a warm, golden light upon the lush greenery that clung to its sides. Ancient trees, their gnarled branches twisted by the whims of time, stood sentinel along the winding path that snaked its way up the mountain.
A group of men clad in red samurai armor and masks marched up the mountain, their voices rose in a rousing chant, to motivate themselves.
Despite the Kurenai village mortals' 20-battle winning streak under Miyato Kumushi's leadership, doubts lingered. However, this uncertainty fueled the newbies' determination, and they climbed the mountain with vigor in their eyes.
They were heading into war, where some might not return, yet they marched forward with enthusiasm, as if eager to reunite with a loved one.
Their energy was infectious; Miyato, the 36-year-old leader, couldn't help but gaze at them in awe. Even he, a seasoned warrior with nearly 20 years of experience in this harsh forest, had never felt such enthusiasm before battle.
'Maybe it is because of the kindness of that female Tama-Artist who decided to give us food, new clothes, and armor.'
The man laughed to himself. It was such an odd thing to happen: they received clothes occasionally —twice a year—, but they were all second hand, and only one pair. This time, however, they got ten, new pairs each.
'The hearts of people are different... not all Tama-Artist are wicked... the weak ones among them just like to give us trouble.'
Miyato sighed again, deciding to call the newbies closer. In the past, he would have punished them for not conforming, but this group was different.
"Everyone! Let's take our last stop! We need to conserve our strength for the upcoming battle."
As everyone took a water break and ate their porridge, Lucy wandered off to train, inciting Miyato to sigh once more.
As the veteran looked at Lucien, Shinji came next to him holding a bowl of porridge. Secretly in a place hidden from everyone a pink-wind-like-spirit moved to a diamond, rose shaped jewel. While this happened, a white liquid escapes the young man's hands going it to the porridge.
After a few seconds, Shinji walks next to him, presenting a bow, "Please eat something, you're our hope of winning... the young ones are looking forward to seeing the so-called mortal 'Sword Saint' in action."
Hearing the sentimental words, Miyato couldn't refuse the offer. Taking a few spoons, he strikes a conversation with the young scholar who didn't have armor on him.
"He is impressive, isn't he?"
Shinji nods earnestly.
"There is no one dedicated than him. He is a monster."
Miyato chuckles lightly at those words, finding them amusing.
"If he is monster, what about you?," before Shinji could say a thing the man adds, "You're always slacking off during training, yet you don't miss. I've seen you throw rocks at birds, what was it again? You took down 12 in a single throw. If Lucy-san is a monster of effort..."
The one in the white scholar robes waited patiently for the Sword Saint to finish.
"...then you're a monster of talent."
'Talent?!'
—If only it was for something else.
Finding the issue amusing, Shinji crosses his arms, swaying his expressionless face to the side.
"I've been using all types of throwing weapons since I was separated from my brother... that's about the time I started running too. With a weak body like mine, I had to start earlier than others. Also, there is a fact that I'm extremely lucky."
'Weak body?'
Miyato ponders the words —Shinji doesn't look sick to anyone. He lets the issue go, since it sounded sensitive.
Taking out a bamboo book from within his robes, the man with a missing right eye places it between the young man's crossed arms.
"Take it as a parting gift..."
Miyato's glare became weak.
"...and a present to you, as a master."
"Master?"
Shinji's face twists in shock. He wanted to spit in the man's face for just randomly picking him as his student without his cognizant.
Before a reaction came, Miyato voices seriously, "I know you have been helping Lucien-san developing his Hammer Martial Art, I don't want to pry much into your relationship, but I know it was you who suggested that he use a surprise small hammer at times."
'How sly of him...'
The young man somewhat cringes, miffed by Miyato's findings.
"You're just testing me... Your assumption is spot on, though. Indeed, I'm helping him develop Martial Arts. Not one, but three... one is for Sora; the other is for his alternative weapon that goes well with his body's traits more than a hammer."
'Such monsters.'
Miyato smiled faintly, before laughing loudly, getting everyone's attention.
After he was done, he continued the conversation in a slightly envious tone:
"I've been trying to make my Sword Martial Arts after a few years I came here, but my development progress is nowhere near yours and Lucy-san's."
Shinji shrugs his shoulders, indicating him to get to the point.
"Bushi movements are crude and full of flaws. They believe in the strength of their Tama and the amount of Rei in their bodies, yet such people try to teach us..."
Miyato took a pause to click his tongue in disdain, sneering in jest, "Over the years I have tried my best, figuring out what made me weak..."
A smile emerges on Miyato's face.
"Lack of Martial Arts made me weak. A sequence of attacks that went well with my body, eliminating all weakness that I could notice. With Martial Art's one can ascend beyond physical limits, pierce through the skies, cut cliffs, pairing with some Madoshi Tama-Artists, if not more."
His expression took an 180 degree twist.
Sulking, he adds, "However, I reached a wall... There is something wrong with the Martial Arts I developed. I don't know, but there is something crying inside of me to awaken. If I awaken that something, I would transcend, gaining a pseudo spirit that opposes Rei."
Shinji smiles fades, taking a look at the bamboo book.
"You want me to perfect your art?"
Miyato nods.
After 3 or so minutes, Shinji reaches a conclusion, "They're few errors in your Martial Art... some moves are omitted; some repeated too frequently."
Miyato's furrows his brows.
Shinji was crapping over his pride. The reason he asked for assistance is because he is going to drop swordsmanship, and focus on having a family —this is his last battle. In his eyes Lucien's Martial Art is beneath his by a wide margin.
Miyato laughs in hatred:
"This side of yours is interested! Do you suffer from bipolar disorder or something?!"
A vein popped on Shinji's face inside his mask. Although mental ill, he didn't want to be stated out loud in his presence.
Turning around, storing the bamboo book, Shinji took hold of Miyato's shoulder, speaking coldly, "That's the furthest thing from my sickness (lies). I prefer to act that way to save myself... unlike you who acted the fat ram while hyenas were watching."
The weight of Shinji's words landed on Miyato like a bucket of cold water, killing his rage. He is no idiot to not understand the dilemma he was in.
'...here I was thinking of having a family.'
Oblivious to what was going in his head at the moment, Shinji pats his should, leaving with a mutter, "What you are looking for is within your grasp; it's that you pursued the wrong matter. Your Martial philosophy is rubbish. Our Lucy-san over there, has already reached the stage you're never going to get in this lifetime."
Before Miyato could act on the insults, Shinji was already walking towards the others. His gaze turned over to Lucien's position, blinking a few times to see through his moves.
As a seasoned fighter he could tell that Lucien's moves were crude, and he was still being dragged around by the weight of his giant hammer.
However, upon further observation his jaw dropped to the ground in shock.
'How monstrous! His Martial art is hidden within those crude moves...'
He initially thought their Martial Art was so-so, because they were beginners, although they were progressing fast. However, when he saw the disappointment filled gaze Shinji gave him earlier, he started to raise doubts on his evaluation...
—Now, there were confirmed.
He mistook an ocean for a spring.
'I can tell there is a sequence within those basic moves, but I can't even see through them.'
Feeling helpless was useless as his life.
He yelled, "Everyone let's continue our journey."
'This New Age seems to be giving birth to a Wondrous Age.'
****
As they crested the summit, they spotted a group of men clad in blue kamishimo, riding horses in the distance.
Miyato stood before his men, his katana pointing straight ahead,
"Muso-kun, I'll end our rivalry today and bring your head back to our camp."
Muso smiled faintly as he dismounted his horse and unsheathed his katana.
"This will be our final duel. I'll kill you and claim your title as Sword Saint."
The two men exchanged smirks before charging at each other. Their swords clashed in a flash of steel, echoing through the air.
Clang!
The sound signaled the start of the battle between the Kurenai and Kushi Villager mortals. The Kurenai warriors, clad in armor, clashed with the Kushi riders.
Even so, the main battle raged at the center of X-You Mountain, where Miyato and Muso danced in a flurry of blades.
Their clash, a testament to their generations-honed skills, with sparks flying every time they parried.
Muso snickered, "You look ill today. Did you have something bad for breakfast?"
Miyato remained silent at his taunt, focusing on defense as he observed Muso's movements.
The tricks, feints, and powerful blows, Miyato dodged them with ease, showcasing his prowess as the Kensei.
Muso realized that Miyato's talent surpassed his own, and he jumped back to reassess.
"Why aren't you attacking?"
Miyato replied coldly:
"If I do, you'll die. I'm sure you've realized that by now."
Muso acknowledged the truth in Miyamoto's words, his expression turning into a mix of frustration and admiration.
"So what if I die? My death will inspire someone from my village to take up my sword and continue the fight. As I always say, people don't truly die: they live on in the hearts of those left behind, so give me an honorable death everyone will remember."
Miyato nodded, his expression solemn.
"Then I'll give you an honorable death, one that will leave a lasting impact."
As Miyamoto charged forward, his armor released faint metallic sounds. Muso met him head-on, but their blades clashed with tremendous force, sending Muso stumbling back.
Miyato raised his sword for the finishing blow, but suddenly tripped and fell. Muso seized the opportunity, swinging his sword to strike Miyato's exposed neck.
However, before connecting, a giant hummer came rushing at him.