Fort Edo was alive with the sounds of training as the new conscripts, fresh from the harsh realities of their former lives, drilled under the watchful eyes of their superiors. The air was thick with the scent of sweat and determination, mingling with the earthy aroma of the nearby woods. Towering wooden palisades enclosed the fort, their darkened surfaces weathered by years of exposure to the elements, providing a sense of protection against the dangers that lurked beyond. Sunlight streamed through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the dirt paths where the recruits moved with purpose, their boots kicking up clouds of dust as they practiced their archery skills.
Among them, nearly every recruit hailed from the ranks of seasoned hunters, skilled at tracking and survival. These men and women were now molded into a ranger battalion of roughly 300 archers, a distinction that would keep them more removed from the front lines of direct combat. At least, that was the hopeful belief of Rokuro, who had unexpectedly found himself in command of a small squad of 50 recruits, most of whom were from his hometown. The training grounds were a mix of targets and obstacle courses, surrounded by thick trees that swayed gently in the afternoon breeze. The distant sounds of laughter and shouts echoed through the fort, mingling with the rhythmic twang of bowstrings and the rustle of arrows in quivers.
The news of his promotion had taken Rokuro by surprise; he had never imagined being thrust into a position of authority among the conscripts. However, he embraced the role, viewing it as an opportunity to safeguard his comrades as they prepared for the battles that lay ahead. Yet, with this new title came an unsettling weight on his shoulders. When the higher-ups revealed the true nature of their battalion’s assignments—forward deployments tasked with ambushing enemy supply lines and scouting their positions—Rokuro's heart sank. The implications were clear: this mission came with one of the highest mortality rates in the empire’s military, second only to the frontline infantry known derisively as “meat shields.” The realization had haunted him for days, weaving a web of anxiety that he struggled to shake off.
Standing before his unit, Rokuro felt the gravity of his words. “You all know that our first mission in a couple of days will be a real test,” he said, his voice steady but laced with underlying tension. The setting sun cast a warm glow over the assembled recruits, illuminating their faces and the determination etched into their features. He glanced around at the faces of the men, hardened by years of survival in the treacherous Great Northern Forest, where hunting beasts was a daily struggle. Yet, fighting against an intelligent adversary who was equally determined to survive was a different beast altogether. Fear flickered in the eyes of many, and Rokuro understood that they shared his trepidation, though he felt helpless to ease their worries.
In three days, he and his squad would venture into enemy territory, tasked with scouting and sabotaging supply routes that fed into the opposing front lines. The mission was considered a near-suicidal endeavor, but Rokuro steeled himself with a singular focus: no matter the outcome, he was determined to return home to his wife and daughter. “Nyoko… Mei…” he whispered to himself, drawing strength from the thought of their faces as he gripped his bow tighter, his men loosing another round of arrows at their targets. The shafts flew through the air, striking true, each impact resonating with a promise of survival and a longing for home.
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In the quiet adjacent room, Seito Mei stood poised and silent, waiting for the elders to arrive. The chamber around her was adorned with intricate carvings depicting mythical creatures and legendary heroes, their stories woven into the very fabric of the walls. Soft, diffused light spilled from ornate lanterns, casting gentle shadows that danced along the polished wooden floors. Though her exterior radiated calm, inside she was a whirlwind of emotions. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined the possibility of being accepted into the most prestigious academy in all the empire. She felt a surge of excitement at the thought of the expressions on her parents' faces when they realized just how extraordinary their daughter had become.
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As she waited, her mind wandered back to the moment the energy surged through her body during the assessment. The sensation was euphoric, filling her with an empowering warmth that wrapped around her like her father’s comforting embrace. This raw energy was intoxicating—something Mei had never encountered before. It ignited a yearning deep within her, a desire for more of that potent force, yet as a young child, she struggled to fully comprehend its implications. The air in the chamber felt charged, alive with potential, as if the very walls held whispers of wisdom and secrets waiting to be discovered.
“Seito Mei!” a voice boomed from above, reverberating through the chamber like a clap of thunder. The sound echoed off the ornate walls, lined with five observation pavilions, each occupied by an elder. A faint chill crept into the room, contrasting with the warmth Mei felt in her heart.
“You have demonstrated sufficient aptitude to be accepted as an outer disciple of the academy,” Grandmaster Hong declared, his tone authoritative yet infused with a hint of warmth. “As such, you will not be assigned a formal master until you reach the point of receiving a blessing from a deity, which will allow your Ki to reveal its innate nature. Until then, you will live and study here at the academy, fulfilling all the duties required of a disciple. The four other elders overseeing this assessment have concurred with my decision.”
A long silence followed, the grandiosity of his words hanging in the air like a heavy mist. The flickering lanterns cast soft shadows that danced across Mei’s face, emphasizing her wide eyes and the flush of excitement mixed with fear. “Do you have any questions before you accept this offer?” another elder prompted, her voice gentle and nurturing.
The speaker was a youthful elder, who could have easily passed for Mei’s older sister. Her beauty was striking, outshining even that of Mei’s mother, who was renowned for her grace in Naebashi. The elder’s delicate frame and fair skin accentuated her enchanting fox-like features, while her deep, well-like eyes seemed to hold wisdom beyond her years. As Mei looked upon her, she felt an unspoken connection, as if the elder understood her hopes and fears in that very moment.
Gathering her thoughts, Mei realized she had only one pressing question. “Will I get to see my family?” she asked, her voice trembling slightly as uncertainty washed over her. The words hung in the air, heavy with longing.
The elder nodded reassuringly. “Yes, disciples are permitted to see their families once a year during the lunar festivals, for one week. In addition, you will have the opportunity to write to your loved ones at any time.”
Mei’s heart plummeted like a boulder tumbling from a cliff. Only one visit a year? How could she bear the thought of being separated from her mother for so long? The revelation felt seismic, shaking the very foundation of her hopes.
“Child,” Grandmaster Hong continued, his tone shifting to one of understanding, “this arrangement is temporary. Once you receive a blessing from a deity and advance to inner disciple status, your freedoms will expand significantly. This opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for someone of your background, so I urge you to consider it carefully.”
His words echoed in her mind, a reminder of her father’s encouragement just before he departed. With a deep breath, Mei met the gaze of the elders with as much confidence as she could muster, a six-year-old girl standing on the precipice of destiny. “Thank you for your words of wisdom, Grandmaster!” she exclaimed, bowing respectfully to both him and the young female elder.
As she turned to the exit, determination surged within her. The soft glow of the lanterns illuminated her path, a symbol of the journey that lay ahead. Mei clenched her small hands into fists, promising herself that she would rise to the challenge. This was her moment, and she would seize it.