5 days prior

*Swack*

"Again..."

*Swack*

"Again..."

*Swack*

"Again..."

"Not good enough! We cannot afford for you to be weak. Son! Keep on going!" the voice turned to two nearby guards. "Do not allow him to quit until he cannot lift his arms any longer."

"As you command Lord Ashikaga!" The two guards did a salute bowing their heads slightly as they did.

Ezio laid on the ground completely exhausted, his muscles had completely given into fatigue. Watching as his father Crown Prince Ashikaga Ryohei walked away from the private training field located in the palace. The training had ramped up immensely in the days leading up to the inner court assessment at the Phoenix academy.

Struggling to stand up he bent down and grabbed the wooden practice sword a fire lit in his eyes.

“Don’t go hurting yourself now little brother” a rich baritone voice followed by the distinct sound of leather boots on the dirt surface came from behind Ezio.

Turning around Ezio already knew who the unmistakable voice was from before him stood a devilishly handsome man in his late twenties. With thick brows and a beard that came to a short point and long black hair tied up into a clasp on the top of his head he looked like the statues of great heroes in the history books. Gin Ashikaga was the eldest child of his father and arguably the most legitimate heir to the title his father currently held. Gin’s mother was the first wife and closest to what one would call an empress since his grandmother the empress had passed away when she failed to make it to the higher level of cultivations needed to prolong her life this made Gin’s mother the highest ranking female noble of all of them while Ezio’s own mother was only a concubine.

“Worry about yourself Gin!” Ezio huffed knowing the personality of his eldest brother.

“Aww don’t be like that! You know I’m about to go to the frontlines this could be the last time we get to see each other!” he said, acting hurt as he clutched at his heart.

Ezio rolled his eyes and began to hit the practice board. “Just say…what is on…your mind” Ezie grunted between hits.

Gin’s face became mildly more serious “I know you are focused on the inner court. I was also when I was your age, but remember Kuro is at war and Kalaminra has been appealing to other minor powers to join in arms against us in recent years. The military is too stretched thin to care for everything.”

Ezio paused mid swing and looked curiously to his brother “why are you telling me this?”

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

Gin looked down at his brother who was just hitting his growth spurt with fond eyes. “The reality is that father is too absorbed with international diplomacy and the war effort to keep his eyes on Ei'en and the internal situation in Kuro as a whole. I hear whisperings of malcontent.”

Reaching out, Gin grabbed a practice javelin and within the blink of an eye threw it with perfect form hitting the targets on the other side of the field directly. “Me, Taka, and Hime are all heading out to lift some of the burden on the front and with some of the politics abroad. In the meantime you need to focus on getting stronger and keep your eyes open on the internal situation in Ei'en…if Ei'en becomes tumultuous then it could send shockwaves throughout Kuro. Something we can’t afford.” Taking his hand and putting it on Ezio’s shoulders “ignore we are half brothers and remember we are blood regardless do not get distracted and watch for any signs of discord.”

Ezio didn’t know what to say and only nodded.

“Good, take this.” handing him a small talisman Gin smiled “if anything happens; break this talisman it will tell me to come back to Ei'en quickly.”

Ezio looked as his brother turned away and gave him a thumbs up. Kuro was in a precarious situation, but couldn’t his grandfather handle all this with a wave of his hand?

With a sigh Ezio picked up his practice sword again and continued his strikes.

…

Ezio watched his master perform several attacks in repetition. Master Sada was otherworldly in how quick his strikes were, perhaps even his father would be hard pressed to challenge him. Ezio watched starry eyed waiting for his master to finish his morning practice. The sun had yet to rise over the sky, but still was close enough that the darkened sky had given away to a cool morning light that Ezio particularly enjoyed looking at. It was this brief moment that he felt true tranquility.

"Ashikaga Ezio!"

Ezio's eyes snapped back to his master who was dripping with sweat despite the cool morning breeze. Sada Yoshida wasn't bulky or large, just average build, but every inch of his body was as it was chiseled from granite he was at the pinnacle of physical conditioning. Sada Yoshida was a legendary figure and up until Master Cui Xinya was the youngest master ever in the history of the Phoenix academy… which Ezio assumed was the reason he disliked her so much.

"Take off your tunic and join me." He said waving Ezio over to him.

"Yes sir!" Ezio cried out as he swiftly stripped down.

They stood side by side Ezio mimicking his master's motions as they went through the motions over and over, letting the sun peak over the horizon and begin to beat on their back. They practiced in silence letting the morning calm give them peace of mind. Something about the repetition was relaxing despite all their muscles screaming out for them to stop.

After almost an hour Master Sada broke the silence. "Ezio physical conditioning is essential to giving you the best state of mind and body for the rest of the day. It will also aid in your cultivation. One whose body is at peak levels will be able to cultivate longer and more ki will flow through your body. Never forget no matter how sore you need to physically prepare yourself before you do anything." Sada said as he spun the sword in his hand hitting the katana against the practice board.

"Thank you for the wisdom master." Ezio nodded, his father's philosophy and Master Sada's were quite similar.

They continued their training until the sun had reached a quarter up into the sky. Ezio had sweat dripping down his muscular back comparing his still growing body to Master Sada made him look scrawny which was hardly the case for a 14 year old Ezio was quite developed compared to the average man, but you simply could not compare a lifetime of combat and training to his few years on this world. Once they finished, Master Sada grabbed two washcloths, tossing one into his student's face.

"Second rule, young Ezio. Always eat a good breakfast in the morning."

Ezio smiled as he followed his master into their main hall.