Chapter 1: His name was Azurai Batari Okimodo.

Deep within the jungles of an ethereal tropical island, the green leaves waved gracefully in the air giving way to several rays of sunlight that illuminated a pond surrounded by golden sand.

Within the pond all manner of bright red and neon coloured koi swam around gracefully occasionally diving down into the cave system that connected the pond to the ocean.

Next to this beautiful scene was a boy that lay on his back sleeping on several blankets layered over the jungle soil. Around him birds sang quietly and all manner of organisms went about their day deep in the soil and along the tree trunks. Lying beside him was an intricate wooden bow adorned with vibrant colours and patterns. The boy’s eyes slowly opened as he stretched his body to awaken his toned muscles before finishing off with a satisfying yawn. Energy and vitality surged through him suddenly and his long legs rose up into the air rearing back until his knees almost rested on his chest. With a swift motion he sprang up into the air landing perfectly on his two calloused feet. He stood tall and gazed up through the trees into the blazing sun. He smiled rambunctiously as a great ambition roared in his heart. His name was Azurai Batari Okimodo and within his eyes burned the brilliance of a young warrior.

He stretched again and took a few moments to admire the natural beauty that surrounded him. He then began gathering up his blankets and bow before making his way into the dense jungle.

On this day Okimodo felt as if the island was particularly beautiful. Even though the sights he saw were there during his entire thirteen years of living, where there long before he was born and will remain long after he dies he still felt a sense of excitement that revitalised his appreciation. This excitement was not unwarranted however, as today was a day that would signify the rite of passage into adulthood for himself and every other Azurai boy. Today was the day marked out on the clan calendar for the rokai right of passage ceremony.

“Ferocious is the warrior who stands tall against the ocean breeze. At his feat, there is no pity for the man who grovels on his knees. Sweet is the victory of the clan that roars across the western sees, we are the Azurai who never bend to the wills of devils and thieves.”

Okimodo sang with great pride as he muscled his way through, over and under the vegetation.

Gradually the jungle cleared, its leaves and branches clearing the way and spreading out to reveal countless intricate pastel coloured houses. They lined numerous roads and wide stone staircases all leading steeply up to the summit of one of the island’s tallest mountains. As okimodo left the jungle path and entered onto a stone road, he received the firm kick of a horse hoof from behind causing him to stumble forward and almost fall on his face. He looked back immediately while simultaneously looking for a way to play off his air headedness in a way that made him look cool and aloof. His eyes were met by two gaping nostrils followed by a smell so bad he had no choice but to step back a few metres or else he would surely die. The two large white stallions were controlled by an old pale Ukunese man who tipped his straw hat at okimodo with respect. Okimodo himself nodded back and stepped out of the carriages way.

“Excuse me for being presumptuous, but are you going to the rite of passage ceremony by any chance?” The old man asked in a thick Ukunese accent.

Okimodo’s eyes lit up with a brilliant lustre. “Yes I am.” He answered honestly.

“So are we.” The man smiled. “Hop on and take a ride.”

“But it’s still a little early.” Okimodo chuckled. “The ceremony won’t start until midnight.”

The old man stroked his white beard before speaking. “I understand that very well, the real reason I’m asking you to hop on is because there’s two Ukunese teenagers in the carriage. Their families are looking to immigrate to this country and I imagine a local can explain the culture to them far better than I can.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Okimodo said stroking his chin. Surely he could use this as an opportunity to get to his home without walking as much or wasting his energy on flying.

“What is taking so long?” An impatient female voice called out from within the carriage. “Why did we even stop in the first place?”

“Calm yourself down Cheadle.” A second female voice yelled.

Upon overhearing this interaction okimodo felt compelled to enter the carriage immediately. There were girls in there, new Ukunese girls that he could impress with his knowledge and dashing looks.

“Who are these immigrants exactly.” Okimodo asked with a sly smile.

The old man reared back laughing loudly. “I know that look. Oh the brightness of youth sure is amazing.”

“It sure is, you old man.” Okimodo laughed along with him.

“This old man has a name.” The old man said as his laughter subsided. “It’s Matvei Abdulov.”

“Ah, that’s a very Ukunese name.” Okimodo chuckled before offering the man his own name. “I’m Azurai Batari Okimodo.”

Old man Matvei leaned forward, observing the bow Okimodo was carrying with a suspicious raised eyebrow. “You’re bullshitting. You are the child prodigy archer all of the Azurai elders are yapping about?”

“Who else could I be?” Laughed Okimodo.

The old man seemed to ponder for a moment before chuckling to himself and speaking. “Honestly, I didn’t expect you to have such a girly face.”

“Huh.” Okimodo was deeply offended. “I’m not girly at all I just need a few more months for my beard to grow in and I’ll be the number one guy all the girls want to marry.”

“Hey relax.” Old man Matvei laughed before throwing up his arms. “Just take it as me saying you’ll grow into a handsome man one day. Take a seat and exit whenever you please.”

A raspy voice suddenly spoke from deep within the thirteen year old boy’s heart. “You should rip the old man’s beard out, don’t let him make fun of you like that.”

“Shut up.” Okimodo yelled internally. “You’re just a damn monkey.”

This old man had killed Okimodo’s vibe. He just had to go and bring up his only insecurity. It wasn’t his fault that he inherited most of his looks from his Ukunese mother. He approached the entrance to the carriage feeling somewhat self conscious and a feeling of awkwardness overcame him when he saw that the two girls inside sat on opposite ends. This meant that he would have to sit next to one of them and endure a self conscious moment if they decided to move away from him and sit opposite him instead. Regardless there was still a possibility of him being able to sweep them off their feet so he decided to board despite the pit forming in his stomach. He sat down and almost instinctively felt both of their eyes on him.

“Wow.” The girl next to him said looking okimodo up and down.

Okimodo made eye contact with her. She was a typical Ekunese girl with pale almost pink skin, blonde hair and blue eyes. Three traits he knew were common among people in the far north of the eastern continent. She wore an elaborate dress that was common among Ekunese immigrants and could even be occasionally seen worn by the wealthiest of the native girls.

Okimodo kicked his bare feet up on to the opposite seat and much to his bewilderment even his feet became the object of great fascination by the two Ukunese girls.

“You’re a native right?” The second girl said. She had brown hair and green eyes and had a face caked in freckles. Her style of clothing was similar to the first girl albeit green as opposed to the first girl’s red.

“In the flesh.” Okimodo said trying to look cool and aloof as if he didn’t suffer from the unique awkwardness that any boy would experience around girls of a similar age.

“Wow.” The first girl repeated before leaning forward to whisper something into the ear of her friend, sister or whoever the hell the other girl was.

“My name is Cheadle.” The first girl said smiling brightly. “What’s your name?”

“Okimodo.” Okimodo answered.

The seats beneath the three shook as the carriage began to move again.

“Tell us, what’s it like growing up in such a beautiful place?” Cheadle asked with great enthusiasm.

“Well it’s been pretty decent so far.” Okimodo laughed seeing that the two girls had a friendly demeanour. He placed his bow and folded blankets next to him before folding his arms around the back of his head and leaning back. “I’ve lived here my entire life, so I don’t really know what I could compare this to. Because our capital city is small everyone knows everyone and I’m quite popular.”

Conveniently the carriage passed by a couple of youths at the Same moment and they all waved at okimodo as he passed them by.

“Wow.” Cheadle repeated a third time. “My parents always said that Virticily was a beautiful place. I heard so many stories about the mighty Shang Rokai who rule the western sea as true followers of Heshea.”

“I guess it’s to be expected that our legend is known across the world.” Okimodo said smiling. “We have a lot of stories about you Ukunese too, you wanna hear them?”

“Yes we’d love to.” Cheadle said with wide eyes.

“I doubt that they’re positive stories.” The second girl sighed gazing out of the carriage exit on her side.

“Why do you say that?” Okimodo asked.

The second girl turned to him with a somewhat surprised look.

“Well, why did you say that?” Cheadle asked curiously.

“Forget about it.” The girl sighed.

“Well, what stories do you have about us?” Cheadle said turning back to smile at okimodo.

“Where do I start.” Okimodo said stroking his chin. “It’s said that you guys are equally as formidable on land as we are on the sea. In the past the Shang Rokai tried invading the eastern continent but just like how you never beat us in the sea, we were never able to beat you on land.”

“Yes.” Cheadle smiled. “And in the end we joined forces and we will rule the world together.”

After hearing Cheadle’s words the second girl rolled her eyes before redirecting her gaze towards the passing pastel houses and islanders outside of the carriage.

“What about your family.” Cheadle asked. “What are they like?”

“Well my dad is the highest ranking Shang Rokai general.” Okimodo said immediately attracting amazed looks from both of the girls.

“That’s so cool!” Cheadle praised.

“You’re Shikimodo’s son?” The second girl asked.

“Yea, I’m the great general’s son and I’m destined to surpass him in every way possible.” Okimodo said arrogantly.

Cheadle eyed the bow resting along the seat between herself and Okimodo. “I was wondering why you have this bow. You must be a warrior just like your dad.” Cheadle said before suddenly punching Okimodo in his shoulder. “You’re strong right?” She said with dilated eyes. “Show me how strong you are.”

Okimodo then pinched her shoulder and she immediately begged for mercy. “Ouch I’m sorry for punching you.”

He then directed his attention towards the second girl. “How do you know about my dad anyway?”

“My dad used to manufacture guns for the military.” The second girl said. “In the military they had a culture that valued strength greatly, so whenever my dad had his work colleagues over to visit I would always hear legends and stories about people like your dad.”

“Hey, I’m the one talking to him remember?” Cheadle pouted. “He’s mine not yours.”

For the next minute Cheadle assaulted Okimodo with all manner of questions about himself and the country while more and more people recognised okimodo as the carriage passed them by.

“Good afternoon Okimodo!” a young girl yelled, leaning out of one of her windows when the carriage passed by her house.

“Ah, good afternoon Shantala!” Okimodo waved back at her.

“You really must be quite popular.” Cheadle laughed.

“Yea, I’m quite a big deal around here.” Okimodo bragged. “You wanna know what else they say about the Ukunese?”

“What?” Cheadle asked with great anticipation.

“They say that Ekunese people have this type of food called moonshishi a woman makes for her husband on their wedding day.” Okimodo said having formulated a plan in his mind.

“Yes.” Cheadle cheered before blushing lightly and getting all starry eyed. “It’s the sweetest thing ever. There’s also a version of it that younger girls make for their boyfriend’s and crushes.”

Okimodo then leaned towards her and stroked her hair back before kissing her hand. “Would you make one for me if I proposed to you right now?” He said holding strong eye contact while deepening his voice to sound more mature.

Cheadle immediately began to blush uncontrollably. “Well… umm…”

“I’m just messing with you.” Okimodo laughed seeing that the carriage was approaching his most desired exit point.

“Cheadle you’ve turned bright red.” The other girl laughed.

“I’m heading off here.” Okimodo said getting up and gathering his things.

“Wait!” Cheadle said startled to see the boy leaving so suddenly. “Are you going to be at that right of passage ceremony later tonight?”

“Of course.” Okimodo replied with an enthusiastic smile. “I can’t stay a kid forever.”

“I’m going to be attending it with my parents.” Cheadle said as her blush intensified. “I’ll bring some moonshishi for you… if you want me to.”

“I’d love that.” Okimodo said before jumping out of the carriage and watching on as Cheadle waved him goodbye.

“Hehehe, I really am too smooth.” Okimodo praised himself.

Once the carriage was gone okimodo looked around and confirmed that this was indeed where he wanted to get off. He was halfway up the mountain at an intersection between the brick road and one of the large staircases that went up to the top of the mountain where the Azurai clan’s residence was. All around him walked various people going about their numerous duties with a few greeting him and praising him when they recognised him. As he looked up the massive staircase, he saw it weave its way up among the colourful houses that gradually became even larger as the staircase continued up. At the top of the mountain itself loomed a giant statue depicting the archetypal deity known as Heshea. Okimodo felt an overwhelming sense of pride and destiny overcome him as he observed its silhouette in the blazing sun. It was the goal of every male Azurai clan member’s life to be like Heshea. A warrior and a hero who ruled over the ocean while being free and unbound by human limitations.

“Ferocious is the man who stands tall in the ocean breeze. At his feat, there is no pity for the man who grovels on his knees.” Okimodo sang his national anthem as he raced up the staircase winding its way through the houses and up the mountain.

End of chapter 1.

----------------------------------------

Chapter 2: family dinner part 1.

One by one tiny bubbles popped on the bloated belly of a roasted chicken as it sat on the wooden kitchen counter still steaming and sizzling from being taken out of the gass oven.

A young girl leaned over it inhaling the sweet smell of meat and soy sauce that radiated from the fresh chicken. Surely she could take a small bite? It wouldn’t hurt anyone right? So what if her parents had some important people over to visit surely they wouldn’t notice if a bit of chicken skin went missing, or maybe a wing or two. Screw it a missing wing wouldn’t be the end of the world.

The girl looked around the kitchen. She saw nothing but hanging pots and pans along the walls and the family dog named fuji taking a nap in the corner.

Seeing that the coast was clear she immediately removed a wing from the simmering chicken, her cravings overpowering the sensation of her fingers being burned by its freshly cooked heat. She took a bite stripping the flesh from its bones before chewing slowly to take in the flavour and heat, and boy there was allot of heat. It was too hot and she let out a gasp for cold air. The only thing stopping her from spitting it out was the utterly seductive flavour of the chicken. Soy sauce, spice, sweet and sour sauce, fresh herbs and sea salt all mixed together and seeped into her tongue leaving a flavour she knew she’d still be tasting the remnants of for the rest of the day.

After swallowing she immediately threw the remaining bones out the window. She quietly left the kitchen after making sure to get rid of any evidence that she was ever there. She knew her mother would fly into a rage once she found out that the chicken had been desecrated but so what? It was that time of the month again and she had been suffering from particularly bad cravings today.

She made her way up the stairs but stopped halfway when she saw someone blocking her path. It was none other than her brother Azurai Batari Shipo. To her he had always seemed more machine than human, a cold conglomeration of logical functions that vaguely resembled a human being if you squinted.

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

“Go back down and make way for me.” He sneered, displaying the only emotion he seemed to have which was arrogance.

“How about you go back up and make way for me instead.” She shot back.

Shipo scowled. He could’ve easily backed up to let her pass, but why should he? He was the oldest of the Batari siblings so his younger sister should be the one to get out of HIS way.

The two stared each other down creating a moment of tension that lasted for several seconds before shipo finally spoke.

“Shitari, don’t you think you should show your eldest brother a bit more respect?” Shipo growled. “Do you also plan to defy your future husband like this? As a young woman of the Azurai clan, and more importantly a member of the Batari family you should act with more elegance.”

“Ugh, give me a break.” Shitari rolled her eyes. She was a prideful girl and didn’t want to go back down the stairs but if it meant that she wouldn’t have to endure a lecture from her brother, her pride could wait for the time being. “Fine.” Shitari said, going back down just to make him shut up.

Once she was out of his way he walked down the stairs and passed her by before brushing off the sleeve of his robe when it brushed against her. His expression, posture and the way how he always held his head facing slightly upwards while looking down at her communicated a sense of arrogance that made her blood boil. He had absolutely positively no right to conduct himself in such a manner when he failed the Rokai rite of passage last year. He wasn’t even legally a man in the clan’s eyes but still a mere boy.

Shitari calmed herself before continuing up the stairs to her bedroom. As she took her mind of her brother another equally annoying thing replaced him. Due to the importance of the guests coming over, her mother had purchased her a Ukunese dress to wear today. She wasn’t particularly fond of Ukunese clothing as it was very much designed for a colder climate and the built in corset made them extremely restrictive to move around in. She would have much preferred to wear the tribal clothing that she was used to. She entered her room where the dress lay folded on her bed and sighed at the incoming nightmare that would be the experience of putting it on.

Down stairs Shipo walked on to the veranda where his father was sitting in a rocking chair taking in several deep puffs from his long tobacco pipe.

“Are your arms still aching?” His father asked, putting down the tobacco pipe as he observed Shipo’s posture. “You’re tense why is that?”

“I’m as calm as ever.” Shipo replied, concealing his clenched fist behind his back.

With a sigh his father motioned for him to sit down on the bench beside his rocking chair. “I understand that you feel as if you’ve endured a great humiliation at the hands of Ioseph last year, but you shouldn’t feel as if you’ve embarrassed yourself or the family. Most Azurai boys don’t pass their rite of passage on their first try and neither did I. It took me two attempts to pass it and it took my brother three attempts. You should be less hard on yourself as Ioseph is a prodigy and has become one of the most praised and accomplished warriors of our clan in just one year. If anything you should consider it an honour to have fought him during your first rite of passage ceremony.”

As Shipo sat down his father’s words had little effect on him. Why would they? His father had had this patronising attitude towards him ever since his defeat at the hands of Ioseph. Shipo couldn't blame him either as he was the great general Shikimodo after all. How could he not regard his son with pity in such a situation. Before Shipo’s defeat his father had always told him that he was a prodigy and destined to achieve great things as a future Shang Rokai. His father would train him personally and even aided him in his efforts to resonate with Heshea allowing him to become a class one disciple with relative ease. His father had taught Shipo all of the foundational techniques of a Slasher and even crafted a sword for him personally which quickly became Shipo’s most treasured possession. Throughout most of Shipo’s life he had been his father’s pride and joy, a fact that suddenly changed after his defeat at the hands of Ioseph. After that fateful day his father always looked at him with a hint of pity and all of his praise fell on to his younger brother Okimodo instead. Okimodo was a prodigy in every sense of the word and had become a class 1 disciple around the same time as Shipo himself despite being a year younger. Unlike Shipo who was most talented with the sword, Okimodo’s greatest talent was by far his ability with the bow and arrow. Paradoxically, the bow was the most complex and difficult to master of all of Heshea’s weapons but due to Okimodo’s unusually high ability to resonate with Heshea he mastered the bow as his first weapon. He even wielded it with such precision that he was able to kill several Shipacha birds down on the beach from all the way up on the head of Heshea’s statue at only Eleven years old. Deep in his heart Shipo knew that Okimodo would surely pass his right of passage on his first attempt. This was because the bow was normally the final weapon a Shang Rokai would master so none of the other Azurai boys could counter him. As Shipo sat there in silence he knew that he had to pass his right of passage at all costs. He couldn’t allow himself to face another humiliation and be out shined by his younger brother. The right of passage ceremony would be his chance to reclaim his throne as his family’s pride and joy allowing him to be the older brother and son he was destined to be.

“Hey dad!” A voice yelled from down the hill.

Shikimodo’s eyes lit up at the sound of the voice before he stood up to greet his youngest son. “Where have you been all morning Okimodo!” Shikimodo said with slight irritation.

“He was obviously taking a nap around that pond he loves to hang out at.” Shipo sighed. “I wish I could be that easy going.”

As okimodo walked up the steps leading to the veranda he greeted his father with a smile before turning to face Shipo. “I didn’t notice you there.”

“Only wearing a pair of trousers?” Shipo immediately began to lampoon. “In case you forgot, where having a Ukosyranian general over for dinner, and he’ll be arriving in less than ten minutes. Go get changed into something more presentable.”

“Give me a break.” Okimodo laughed. “I was going to get changed, but now that you’re ordering me around I’m tempted to just sit around the dinner table like this until the guests arrive. Let them get a good look at my abs and pecks.”

Shikimodo leaned his head back laughing, his irritation replaced by amusement at Okimodo’s care free attitude. “You should listen to your older brother okimodo. Go and get changed and if you can’t find anything in your room, just borrow some of Shipo’s clothes since you’re both around the same size now.”

“You can’t be serious.” Shipo protested. “He’s gonna ruin my clothes completely. They’ll probably end up being thrown into the corner of his room while he deflowers some dumb commoner girl.”

“Hey chill out.” Okimodo chuckled while thinking up a plan for Cheadle. “That might actually happen, but only if I fail to find good enough clothes in my own room.”

“Right.” Shipo said standing up. There was no way in hell he would let okimodo touch his sacred Azurai robes, their father’s wishes be damned. “Let’s go and have a look through your closet.”

They snake their way through the corridor, up the stairs and into Okimodo’s room. The place was a mess with all manner of clothing both formal and non formal made equal in how they were sloppily splayed across the floor. A tall stack of plates stood on the desk next to Okimodo’s bed with traces of food in the plates on the top and what seemed to be a new type of life form developing among the plates at the bottom.

“Disgusting.” Shipo sneered. “Don’t you ever clean this place other than when you have a girl over?”

“Well since you’ve ruled out days when I have a girl over, I guess the answer would be no.” Okimodo said with a casual smile as if such a mess was completely normal.

“Let’s see.” Shipo said going through Okimodo’s closet while Ignoring his carefree attitude. “You still have the ceremonial robe!” Shipo retrieved an elaborate robe from the closet and held it up before okimodo. A beautiful painting of Heshea and Ionoon was on its back with the Azurai clan’s emblem depicted in between the two deities.

“Of course, why wouldn’t I?” Okimodo raised an eyebrow. He may be a carefree person but his clan’s ceremonial robe wasn’t something he’d regard with a care free attitude. Such a robe was something he regarded with great pride and respect, along with his bow. Okimodo expected better of his brother to assume he wouldn’t take proper care of such a thing. An overwhelming respect for their Azurai heritage was one of the few things he and his brother had in common after all.

“Sorry.” Shipo sighed before laughing in a self deprecating manner. “I was a fool to ask you something like that. But it’s good to be reminded that we are still similar in one way.”

“Put it back in the closet.” Okimodo sighed. “I should still have a Linen shirt and a pair of black trousers in the closet if I’m not mistaken.”

Back down on the veranda Shikimodo watched as too figures emerged through the gate at the bottom of the steps leading up to his house. One was a tall man, whose appearance could be said to have matched up to his own in terms of ferocity. His white hair hung down to his armoured knees and along his pale heavily bearded face ran a distinct diagonal scar. This singular scar didn’t equal the four on Shikimodo’s own tattooed face in terms of number, yet it still told an equally fierce story as them. This was because the person walking up to Shikimodo’s house was no ordinary man, but an equal to the great general Azurai in every aspect. In fact he was himself a general, a general of the Ukosyranian empire known as Ivan Smirnov.

“Ivan.” Shikimodo said, getting up from his seat to greet the other general. “You get older every time I see you. Are you sure you’re not out of breath from climbing all the way up here.”

“Your mouth is still as big as ever old friend.” Ivan laughed as he emerged on to the veranda.

The two generals greeted each other with a handshake and two wide smiles before Shikimodo motioned for Ivan to enter into his house.

“Hey don’t I get a greeting.” The other person who was walking up with Ivan said, her presence having been completely forgotten by Shikimodo.

“Sharron!” Shikimodo gasped. “I didn’t even notice you. Your husband took up the entire horizon. He must’ve thought the obvious girdle under his shirt would hide his growing stomach.”

“Shut up.” Ivan snapped. “You’ve gotten even fatter than me. You used to have abs and now they’re gone without a trace of ever being there, Lost in time like the wife of Sagrekko.”

“You guys never change.” Sharron laughed.

“Let’s all head inside.” Shikimodo laughed along with her. “My wife made dinner and she was sure to make Ivan an extra large serving.”

“Do you hear that? Our guests have arrived.” Shipo said as okimodo finished getting changed into his linen shirt and black trousers.

“Let’s head down.” Okimodo said with a sigh. “I hate going through obligatory things like this on ceremonial days, it just makes the fun stuff take longer to come.”

The two brothers emerged from Okimodo’s room and at the same time Shitari emerged from her’s.

“You look like you’re gonna break into two halves.” Okimodo laughed noticing how unreasonably tight the corset his sister was wearing was.

“Well, I feel like I’m going to split in half.” Shitari replied, trying her best to not gag from the pressure on her organs.

“Why are you even wearing that anyway?” Shipo asked confused.

“Mother forced me to.” Shitari sighed before following her brothers down the stairs.

When they entered the dining room their mother had just finished organising the food on the table and it was a mouth watering sight.

Rainbow prawns, sour mushrooms, caramel rice, roasted blood fruit, blossom cakes, buttered sneik cream and all manner of delicacies lined the vast wooden table. As per Asurai tradition the table was laid out with the throne like chair of the head of the house at the far end and three chairs on the right of it and one on its left. the three chairs on the right side got increasingly less elaborate the further away from the head chair they got. These three chairs corresponded with the three siblings with the closest one to the head chair representing Shipo who was the oldest son and thus considered the second head of the house. The left side had a single seat next to the head seat which was almost as elaborate as the head seat itself. This seat represented Shikimodo’s wife and their mother. At the opposite end of the head chair were the two guest chairs which both had an extravagance to them that could not be said to be inferior to the head chair. As the siblings sat down in their respective chairs Shikimodo and Ivan as well as Sharron all arrived in the dining room and greeted their mother.

Their mother smiled beautifully as she welcomed for them to take their seats at the table before heading into the kitchen to get the roasted chicken.

“Shit.” Shitari said under her breath. She knew her mother would go ballistic the instant she saw that the chicken had a missing wing.

“What’s wrong Shitari.” Okimodo said being intentionally loud. “If there’s something you want to say then say it. We have one of the great generals of the Ukosyrainian empire here, it’s rude to keep secrets from him.”

“Shut up.” Shitari scowled kicking his leg under the table.

“Isn’t it great to see such lively youngsters.” Sharron smiled warmly. “It brings back memories to when I still lived with my twelve siblings.”

“Please don’t bore them to death with your stories.” Ivan said rolling his eyes before turning to face Okimodo. “Okimodo? You’ve gotten huge since I last saw you. Stand up, let me see how tall you’ve gotten.”

“Oh ok.” Okimodo said as he got up anticipating Ivan’s praise.

He stood to his full height smiling widely as he puffed out his chest.

“You’ve put on quite a bit of muscle I see.” Ivan nodded approvingly. “Now all you need is some facial hair and you’ll look like a proper young man.”

“Facial hair?” Okimodo’s chest deflated immediately. Ivan had basically called him girly. Sure he didn’t say it outright but the implication was there.

Next to him Shitari took a big long laugh at his expense making sure he heard it. She was his identical twin so any lack of masculinity in his appearance reflected positively on her own looks as a girl. She really seemed to be feeling herself in this moment, Okimodo couldn’t help side eye her resentfully. Just what the hell was so damn funny? Her laughter ended with a swift kick to her shin under the table. On the opposite side of Okimodo Shipo sat completely stone faced with obnoxiously perfect posture, apparently too dignified for this interaction. It was only when Ivan called for him to stand up as well that a trace of irritation could be seen on his face.

“Interesting.” Ivan stroked his beard. “Okimodo’s almost the same height as you Shipo, he might even surpass you soon. Better drink your milk.”

Shipo sneered internally. He did not like being compared to his brother at all.

“Ah it’s fine.” Shikimodo who had been watching with amusement the entire time spoke up. “There both much taller than most boys their age anyway, already bigger than most commoner men.”

“I guess you have a point.” Ivan sighed.

“Sit down you two.” Shikimodo said before sitting at the head chair.

After Okimodo and shipo sat down a high pitched shriek erupted from the kitchen.

They all looked towards the kitchen immediately before chattering amongst themselves.

“I’m dead meat.” Shitari sighed under her breath hoping that Okimodo wouldn’t hear it which he unfortunately did.

“What’s the matter Shitari.” Okimodo yelled seizing the chance to put his sister on the spot.

“Shut your ass up.” Shitari sneered at him.

“Shitari!” Shikimodo yelled. “No profanity at the dinner table, especially when we have guests. Try to conduct yourself as a proper Azurai woman for today at least.”

“I’ve been telling her that for years and she just won’t listen.” Shipo added.

“Sorry.” Shitari apologised while squinting at shipo. That arrogant punk always had to add on to her father’s scolding, as if he himself was some kind of prestigious swan and far better than little old her. He really should get a life and shut his mouth or else she surely would mention how handsome Ioseph was during their dinner.

Their mother walked in while carrying the roasted chicken, her expression was visibly one of a person putting on a fake smile while holding back a mountain of rage. She placed down the chicken in the centre of the table before taking her seat next to Shikimodo.

“I’d like to thank Heshea and Ionoon for this wonderful feast.” Shikimodo prayed before grabbing his knife and fork.

End of chapter 2.

Chapter 3: family dinner part 2.

After Shikimodo began to chow down, Ivan and Sharron both began to eat. Okimodo and Shipo eat as well stuffing their mouths full. Shitari did not start eating straight away however, it wasn’t because she didn’t want to, but because of the tightness of her corset. She would surely throw up anything she managed to swallow.

“This is what you call sneik cream right?” Ivan enquired as he held his portion of the buttered sneik cream to his hairy nose before sniffing it like a dog.

“Is there something wrong with it?” Shikimodo asked concealing his offended heart behind a twitching smile.

“Not at all.” Ivan replied. “The smell is exactly as general Gustav described it in his journal.”

“You look amazing Petra!” Sharron said hoping to reduce the building tension. “You’ve tanned so nicely under the hot sun of this country. I almost forgot your Ukunese.”

“Aww thank you darling.” Petra giggled. “The tan came mainly from when the kids were still very small and I’d take them to the beach everyday. It was amazing and I still remember that one time Shipo hid behind me when he saw the Shiba dolphins for the first time.”

“Interesting, the taste is rather overpowering but I can get used to it.” Ivan said stroking his beard in satisfaction.

“Do you want to sniff the sugar prawns next?” Shikimodo asked in a mocking tone, his smile still twitching.

For the next minute the atmosphere around the dinner table remained the same. Petra and Sharron continued to discuss various mundane topics and Ivan continued to sniff every piece of food before eating it with shikimodo continuing to be offended.

“This is turning out to be much more boring than I thought it would be.” Okimodo whispered to Shipo. “This is supposed to be a meeting between two generals and they’re not talking about cool general stuff yet. I wanted to hear about the siege of Reinhard and the legend of how general Ivan and general Losof took down five Class seven saints during the Hitominian rivalt.”

“Just stay patient.” Shipo whispered back. “The dinner only just started after all, I’m sure they’ll get to the interesting topics eventually.”

“When exactly is eventually?” Okimodo asked. “Do you really think I came here for a family dinner? I came here to hear about the good stuff. Had I known the conversation would go in this direction then I would’ve just went over to a cute girl’s house and make up a random excuse as to why I wasn’t here later.”

“I hope you both know I can hear you.” Shikimodo scowled judgmentally at his two sons. “You should be grateful to be spending time with your family like this since I’m normally gone for long periods of time. You should also be grateful you even get to see Ivan in such a casual environment.

“Sorry dad.” Both brothers said in unison.

Shitari smiled widely, happy to see them finally being the ones getting scolded for a change. Especially Shipo whose sorry expression she found priceless.

“Yes you should be sorry.” Shikimodo sneered as he redirected his attention towards Ivan. “Though I feel as if there’s a third ungrateful person seated at this table.”

“I’ll have a taste of the chicken now.” Ivan said ignoring Shikimodo’s remark.

Petra gulped immediately when hearing that. One of the chicken wings had been missing and that was a massive problem. Both Ivan and Shikimodo found chicken wings to be their favourite. She already heard the story of how the two first met. It was during a banquet Shikimodo had been invited to after a diplomatic meeting in the capital of the Ukosyrainian empire, before shikimodo was even a general. It was during this time he encountered Ivan when they both eyed the last chicken wing left on the table. The two young men in the prime of their youth were both two prideful to reach a compromise in front of their allies and superiors as well as droves of young women. Naturally a fight immediately erupted causing both of them to be arrested for illegal duelling. After that the two became rivals for many years and eventually good friends. But they would still challenge each other from time to time often using whatever petty reason they could find to justify it. There was even a time when Shikimodo challenged ivan claiming that his bad breath offended him, and Ivan once challenged Shikimodo because he didn’t like Shikimodo’s hairstyle at the time. She knew it had to be one of her idiot children that ate the chicken wing and she would surely find which one it was one way or another.

Petra glared at her three children opposite her causing a cold sweat to run down all three of their spines.

“What the hell is mom’s problem?” Okimodo whispered to Shipo. “What did you do to piss her off.”

“Why does it have to be me?” Shipo scowled. “I’m easily the best behaved of us all.”

“Man, you’re such a dork.” Okimodo chuckled

“Huh?” Shipo turned to him raising an eyebrow.

“What?” Okimodo shrugged. “You are, you said that with such pride too.” Okimodo said as he began to laugh quietly. “So what if you’re better behaved? Do you expect a Golden dork award or a virgin of the year medal for being such a good little boy. You’re right, it couldn’t have been you. I forgot that you’re not cool enough to defy mom and dad or even talk back to them for that matter.”

“Shut up.” Shipo sneered turning away from him. “I’m gonna be ignoring you for the rest of the dinner thank you very much.”

Okimodo shrugged before turning to whisper to Shitari. “How is my adorable little sister?”

“Don’t call me that.” Shitari scowled.

“Okay you’re not my adorable little sister then.” Okimodo sighed before eating some more sugar prawns.

“You can call me adorable, just not little.” Shitari whispered to him. “I’m your twin so where practically the same age.”

“Except I was born fifteen minutes earlier.” Okimodo corrected her.

“What’s this!” Ivan was outraged when he saw that the chicken had only one wing.

“Isn’t that unfortunate!” Shikimodo yelled lunging across the table to get the wing.

“Dad!” Shipo yelled having been startled by his father’s sudden outburst. “Chill out!”

Despite a great effort made by Shikimodo, Ivan had successfully ripped the chicken wing off before he could get to it.

“My favourite part.” Iven smiled mockingly. “But I do find it rather offensive that you went and ate the other one fatty.”

“What!” Shikimodo looked at Ivan with squinted eyes.

“My lovely wife over here also happens to love a good chicken wing.” Ivan explained. “It’s her favourite in fact and it’s a shame she can’t enjoy one because of you.”

Sharron raised an eyebrow. “When did I ever say that chicken wings we-“

“You don’t need to pretend that shikimodo hasn’t offended you Sharron.” Ivan said cutting her off.

“What the hell is happening right now?” Shitari asked, her tone a mix of fear, confusion and guilt.

“I did not eat it.” Shikimodo yelled as he stood up on the table causing its legs to creak under his weight.

“Seems things are finally getting interesting.” Okimodo whispered to Shipo.

“I’m ignoring you remember.” Shipo said continuing to turn away from his brother.

“Please calm down honey.” Petra said pulling at Shikimodo’s trousers for him to get down.

“If you didn’t eat it then who did?” Ivan said before beginning to lampoon. “Was it the family dog? Is that the kind of person you are Shikimodo? You let the family dog eat from the same table as you?”

That was the final straw.

“SHIPO BRING ME MY SWORD.” shikimodo yelled.

“Yes, I shall do so immediately father.” Shipo said getting up from his chair.

“The way how you just obey him is crazy.” Okimodo laughed out loud.

“Shut up.” Shipo shot back immediately.

“No shipo!” Petra protested. “Stay seated. Do not get your immature father anything.”

“As you wish mother.” Shipo said sitting back down.

“Pay her no mind boy.” Shikimodo said motioning for Shipo to get back up.

“Oh no.” Okimodo chuckled nudging Shitari. “He’s receiving conflicting orders from mom and dad, he cannot compute.”

Shitari laughed along nervously, her expression growing increasingly pale with fear.

“Ivan Smirnov.” Shikimodo roared. “I Azurai Batari Shikimodo challenge you to a formal duel.”

“I accept.” Ivan yelled back at him before devouring the entire chicken wing bone included.

The two generals stormed out of the dining room, through the house and into the sparring area in the backyard with both their wives trying to stop them by dragging on to their clothes.

“This is gonna be awesome.” Around the table Okimodo was the first of the siblings to stand up.

He quickly ran out of the dining room followed by Shipo.

Shitari remained seated at the table terrified at what she had caused. “It’s all my fault.”

End of chapter 3.