The crashing sounds of painful cries ring across the battlefield. Standing in the blood of my comrades and enemy, I alone stood against a pile of headless bodies. Drenched in blood, I looked into the gray skies to see the barrage of arrows. I lifted the shield to protect myself—only a handful made contact. I threw away the shield and charged the enemy. My katana holds the souls of the endless slain. The battlefield was my long-lost home, and I returned to it when I was called.

Sato Haruki, the Headhunter. Claimed more lives than anyone in Japan as an executioner. The faces of women and children were seared into my skull. Underneath the plain expression was a hallowed man who had lost his humanity, doomed to be a tool for death. It was all he was suitable for. What I was good for. At the age of twelve, I had been a killer, murderer, monster. All it took for me to break completely was killing a girl who brought life back into my black heart.

Samurai lost its meaning as I was no better than scum; I killed, took what I wanted, and claimed any woman I saw fit. All was my "reward" for serving a lord who would cast me out and take my head. When there was no war or battle to be fought, I had no one to talk to, no friends, family, or loved ones who could keep me together: only my katana and my title as the Headhunter.

So, when the war had ended, and I was set to wander in the land I helped subjugate, was when I really thought about life seriously, reflecting that my entire duty-bound honor was nothing but vile filth. Soriko allowed me to live as a human without feeling like a monster. Until the day I had to burn and kill the entire village, I found happiness.

That's why the nightmares I get every so often are cruel and torturous. Maybe it is my punishment for that life. Karma was back to take away my sanity. Leaving me dark reminders of the horrors I inflicted on others. Sato Haruki was dead; any other reincarnation after or before didn't change that fact. I've grown into a new body, but somehow, my life as Sato kept persisting until it was a curse. Caleb Aris is the latest body and person I feel I am. Was plagued with the memories and soul of Sato Haruki, a soulless husk of a man from feudal era Japan.

Occasionally, I get glimpses but never full recalls of other lives or moments this soul has experienced. What other names or people did this soul inhabit before becoming Caleb? The numerous of questions were always present. Since I was cursed with such memories and knowledge, I grew in this body, more mature and different than any other person. I couldn't think like a child anymore; as much as my body felt it, my soul and mind were plagued constantly by the previous life.

My childhood and my future were shaped before I could even start. I'll always wonder who "Caleb" should have been if it didn't have this soul. Would he still be the same as I am now, or would he be more regal, noble, and the son of a lord than I could have ever been? Either way, this dream, nightmare, reminder, whatever it has been...

"Caleb, are you alright?" The familiar voice of Gale reached for me. My eyes widened as I awoke from the nightmare. Sweat trailing from my forehead, lying next to a campfire.

"Where are we...?"

"You've been asleep the entire time, but we decided to stop and rest before we arrived at Saiana."

"Oh, I see. How is everyone?"

"Other than complaints of being sore, the babies they are, everyone seems to be recovering as nice as they should be. Honestly, you gave us a big scare when you collapsed, but it seems like you made it out of the woods."

"There's a joke here, considering where we are now."

"Heh, at least you have a sense of humor. Try to keep resting. Lukia and Nana were fussing over you, but I should let them know you are awake."

"I've gotten enough rest for one day; I'll see them myself."

"Just take it easy; your arm is still a wreck. Lukia told us you fought their leader, and he hit you with some nasty magic as he did to Nana?"

"Yeah, he did. That magic was nothing like I've ever seen."

"I heard rumors that a Demon Lord tried to create his own magic for the spot of Demon King, but it was corrupt and laced with darkness. It's not entirely common, but reports of mages or highly intelligent creatures have discovered some of these old spells and have begun to use them for their own. I guess the reports are true, seeing that Shaar was clearly one of them."

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"I'm already tired of fighting creatures with dark magic. I swear..."

"Hey, don't jinx it now. I don't like it either, but we are out of that now. Be happy for that, at least."

"True. Well, I need to move; otherwise, my legs won't work properly." Getting to my feet, Gale nods and leaves me be to check up on everyone else. I waste no time to notify Nana and Lukia of my condition. Relieved, they quickly settled down to rest. I felt no rush to fall back asleep, just spending long hours in the night gazing at the stars... "I miss you...Tia..."

*

In the distant land filled with green and trees, the land of Elves prospered with their culture. News of the war in Heistorm, brought a presence of paranoia. Any threat of war happening on their borders was a cause for concern. Tia, the distant love of Caleb, had spent the time of her youth to explore the strength and connection of nature she held. Her father worried about her and felt the need to limit her interactions and exploration was instantly ignored. Unable to tie her down, Tia had focused on improving her magic while thinking about Caleb.

Every day, she would pray for his safety, pray for his health, and pray to see him again. Knowing that war with the Empire and any allies they held was undoubtedly a force to be concerned about. Tia was now nineteen. Still considered a child for an elf, she had grown quite a bit, showing more womanly features; she developed fast. Her thoughts and speaking patterns were more focused and mature. Although still carefree like a child, it was the smile of an innocent person that held her in such a light.

"Tia! Come down; I need to speak with you!" Solida shouted from the bottom of the tree. Tia locked her legs around the branch she sat in, turning upside down to see her father.

"Be there shortly, Father!" With a bright smile and cheerful aura, she quickly scaled down the tree toward her father. Leaping off and landing without a scratch. Her father looked at her with a stern face. "What is the matter father?"

"I received a letter from Valum. I thought you might want to join me in reading it." Soldia promised his daughter to learn and know everything possible happening to Caleb and his family. He didn't object and invited her.

Sitting at their table of the hut they had lived in for many years, they tore open the letter and took out a lengthy page. Containing the details of the war and the results of such, it was apparent that Heistorm wasn't holding as much ground as believed.

"It seems my dear friend is facing a great rise of magical forces."

"Mages?"

"Precisely. However, the amount he stated shouldn't be right. They have entire forces dedicated to magic casters. They have proven to be crucial to the Empire's army. Raining down balls of fire or turning the tides of battle using support spells and aiding their soldiers in the meantime. Valum barely has any large forces that even have a single mage. The only ones are with Dunick, his son."

"Any news about Caleb?"

"Just that he has settled in Saiana for some time now. He seems to have done quite a lot of noble deeds and helped the village. This letter is several months old, so I assume some of this is outdated."

"Outdated or not, I need to know."

"Eckhart reported some close calls. He was fighting with the strongest adventurers and training new ones. Seems like that he has done quite a lot in such a short period of time. That kid certainly has a lot of fire in him, and I'll give him that."

"I wish I could visit him."

"We've been over this, Tia. The roads are dangerous now that the war has started. Traveling deep into Heistorm just to arrive in Saiana would take months and, not to mention a high likelihood of the Empire attacking us."

"Should we not help father?"

"Tia..."

"I was only suggesting."

"I don't want to drag our brothers, sisters, and our entire culture to war. Our history in this world has been stained by blood, death, and evil. I rather not invite any more than necessary."

"Wouldn't ignoring the injustice the Empire is committing against our allied kingdom? Not to mention the home of my Caleb!"

"You speak like you have experience of war."

"I don't, yet we are doing nothing while our allies struggle against a formidable enemy. The future of our relationship and family resides within Heistorm."

"Ever since you left the Aris estate, you have grown to be quite the thorn in my side, my sweet girl. I would need to talk with our leaders on how to proceed. I can't make any promises, Tia, but I will advocate that we at least consider helping. I still believe it is unwise to aid them with our own armies."

"Thank you, Father."

"I didn't know my girl to be such a stubborn and passionate person. Just like your mother."

"My mother would be proud of me."

"No doubt. She would have loved to see you all grown up."

"She still is. The life around us carries her soul everywhere. I am not afraid that she might be here somewhere, watching over us."

"I hope that is the case." With a soft look, Soldia dismisses Tia. She leaves without hesitation to continue her thoughts.

Solida takes the letter and reads it once again. A heavy sigh escapes his lips. Turning his eyes to a hidden letter underneath a book. Pulling away, the cryptic seal of the Empire's holy griffon sits. Soldia looks at the opened letter and rubs his face in frustration.

"What do I do... What would be best for her...and for all of us..."