The Capital of Kujyuri, known itself as Kujyuri, was just one of the many major hubs of the Empire of Yamato. As redundant as it was to name the capital after the nation as a whole, there was a history behind it. Before, centuries ago, the lands it was founded on were inhabited by hundreds of loosely connected clans. When the Empire of Yamato, ruled by its god of almighty power descended, they were brought together under his authority. From that event that had long passed into record, the clan of Kujyuria came to power and was formed into the nation of Kujyuri. Their once small hovel grew in a matter of months.
Today, after hundreds of years, it stands tall and prospering. Though it pales in comparison to the majesty of the Empire’s capital, the citizens wouldn’t have had it any other way. Rural and deep in the western frontier, Kujyurians were very attuned with nature, they had to be. Being on the outskirts of the Empire’s reach had its limitations and living off the land was necessary when harsh winters hinder the paths of trade. As mighty as the Emperor was, a level of self sufficiency was taught under his guiding hand.
As such, King Ozen was dealing with the issues of the current cold season on his own. To call for aid from the Capital would be a blemish on his nation’s history; he would rather give his life to avoid such a disgraceful outcome. The recent snowfall had been heavy and shipments of goods intended for the farther frontier were stalled. This wasn’t a good sign for development, and starvation was becoming a disturbing possibility. Considering his options he sat back in his chair, relaxed in spite of the dire matter on the horizon.
It’s a good thing I at least have people out there. They’ll be able to hold on, but for how long?
Just as he was going to grab his cup of tea the door to his study opened. His Eldest Son, Yashimu, came in with a number of bundled letters in each arm.
“Are those the reports from our northern villages?” Ozen asked as he stood to help him. The bundles thumped as they settled on the table. Ozen frowned down at them. “This is more than I was expecting. Has there been some kind of unrest recently?”
Yashimu shook his head. “No, but there are signs of.. Incompetence. These new letters might shed some insight, though that’s only my guess. The messengers summarized them as requests made by the local village chiefs and higher nobles. I believe it’s about procuring metal, the rumors say they wanted high grade steel from the Empire’s capital.”
Ozen was taken aback. “Preposterous, The price would be too great.” He paused to consider, realizing quickly that there was at least a probable reason.
Now this was a conundrum. Opening one of the letters, he reviewed and calculated the figures presented. Transporting the amount stated was well out of their capabilities, especially with the trade routes burdened with snow. But if he outright denied their request he’d face condemnation for his negligence if a disaster or issue were to occur. The reasonings of the requests at least had an amount of forethought and Ozen wasn’t one to overlook the well being of all his citizens.
Not only that, the letters were from the northern villages, which were vital in maintaining their defense against the hostile nation of Uzuru. Having stocks of steel was the only way these bordering communities could maintain their weapons and infrastructure, specifically their fortress walls. He started sorting through the letters, sighing inwardly at the bureaucratic process.
He’d have to convene a meeting after reading them all, though he preferred to just decide right here and now and do the work himself. He was a doer, except his position as king had him relegated to task managing. Ozen’s brows rose at a certain letter mixed in with the pile. Yashimu must’ve noticed because he took one look at the name of the sender and raised his brow as well.
“So she’s sent an update,” He said as he shook his head wearily. “I swear, I pity that poor boy. He must be going through hell under Shizu’s tutelage.”
“Yes.” Ozen nodded grimly. “Yes indeed, but I’m not one to stop her. Would you?”
Yashimu gave no reply, it was the only reply he needed. It spoke volumes of how no one had the gall to question her, not even Ozen. Ozen had his misgivings of setting Shizu on Azi, and knew Yashimu deeply agreed. They were of one mind that she was difficult to handle. It was hard to believe that Yashimu was her brother. Unlike her, Yashimu was meticulous in his actions and tended to think things through. Shizu on the other hand was forthcoming, a wild card. Her direct methods had their shortcomings, yet the benefits reaped were rewarding if they played out right. Which was why she got away with so much.
She makes a mess, but fixes it. It is surprising she doesn’t mess things up. Ozen thought. Though her gloating could be a problem. It’s a good thing she keeps up appearances.
“So what does the letter say?” Yashimu asked. “Don’t tell me she’s caused an incident amongst the soldiers in Shisayama. I’m sure they’re on their best behavior, especially if they value their lives.”
“No doubt about that.” Ozen chuckled as he unfolded the last third of the letter. As he read, he said, “But I wouldn’t count the possibility out yet. She’ll be in Shisayama for a time. Her interests seem to sway to that boy, Azi.”
Yashimu gave a troubled look. “Just what is going on in that head of hers? She has better things to do, like at the frontier. She’ll do more good there and we’ve lined up another political marriage. It’ll probably fail, but the sincerity we show would get the message across to our other allies in the Imperial court.”
Ozen waggled a finger at his son. “It’s important that she stays there, Yashimu. Besides keeping an eye on that boy and helping him acclimate, the issue of the monsters in the nearby forests is crucial. As good as it would be to work on our political relations and advancing the frontier, the number of monster sightings have increased in the area around Shisayama. It’s not common, but it's a concern since it’s so close to our capital. We can’t have beasts running about.” His eyes skimmed the next part of the letter and found Azi's name popping up. “Oh.. now this is interesting.”
Hearing how surprised his father sounded, Yashimu leaned over to peer over his shoulder. His gaze deadened as he let out another exasperated breath. “I get the feeling Uncle Kajima is going to have his hands full. For god sake she’s.. She’s..” He just didn’t have the words.
Ozen smirked as he caressed his long graying mustache that fell into long tails down the sides of his lips. “Indeed, but that boy seems to be able to handle her, better than us I think.”
Yashimu tilted his head right, then left, probably imagining it. Ozen did too, except he pictured quite a lot of yelling and bickering. The boy, Azi, had had a rocky start with Shizu. It was likely he’d get on her nerves and it went both ways. With his old friend Kajima there, they’d at least have a mediator. Letting the matter lie, the two got on with their work.
After grabbing a bundle of outgoing letters from Ozen, Yashimu was about to head to his own quarters. At the door, Yashimu turned to ask, “Do you think that boy has a chance? Azi, was it?”
He was referring to the chances of Azi actually succeeding under Shizu’s tutelage.
Ozen glanced back down to Shizu’s letter on his desk. He grabbed his cup of tea and had a sip before shrugging, “I have no clue. It was Shizu’s idea, so your guess is as good as mine.”
“I see, to think she believes he has what it takes, I just don’t see it.” Yashimu shook his head. “Intelligent as he was, that boy you found might regret meeting you now that he’s met Shizu.”
“It’s best we not assume,” Ozen said. “And don’t say that. You felt it too, right? The strangeness of that boy, his.. Uncanny background, and that report you made about his miraculous recovery. There is more to him, I can sense it.”
Yashimu paused, recalling what had happened during the monster hunt. The report he had written stated that Azi had died, yet had risen from the dead. The wording wasn’t that theatrical, it was shocking though to know that he survived his first encounter with a Kengiri. Kengiri were vicious monsters and could tear novice soldiers to pieces. How Azi had been able to come out of that experience mystified Yashimu. Shizu had told of how Azi had taken a hit for her from the beast. The boy should’ve been dead by now.
Yashimu shifted in his stance, he always did when he was thinking deeply. “Well he was lucky to run into you, father.” He finally said. “It’s not everyday we find someone with amnesia and if you hadn't found him, who knows what would’ve happened. Perhaps he’s lucky? ”
Ozen grunted in displeasure. “Luck eh? Not really all too concise.”
Yashimu agreed and left it at that. As the door shut, Ozen was left pondering. He glanced down at the calm watery green surface of his tea. There was a lot on his mind. The slightest movement he made had the liquid ripple and swallow the floating pieces of tea leaf. It put into perspective how small they were, his nation, his people, himself. How insignificant and fleeting their lives are against the ever moving resistance to live. Death will always be beside them and the chance of it happening never disappears. Nations could sink within a year and lives ended in seconds.
It may well be that one day he’d die and Ozen would leave his children to take his place and to fend for themselves. Giving a small silent prayer in his heart in remembrance of his wife, he hoped the Emperor’s protection would forever shine upon all his people and watch over their lands.
I wonder how the Emperor see’s life. As a divine immortal, just how far does his sight reach. How far can a God see? If I could see that far, imagine what I could do. Ozen tapped the desk, a bit irritable. But I can’t. I have to guess and go with my instincts.
He drained his cup of tea, then muttered to himself. “Our nation’s hope is with the young, with the next generation.” He squinted down at his hands. There were new wrinkles that hadn’t been there before. “Is it my time? Just how soon?”
***
Azi tightened the straps of his shield to make sure they were snug to his left arm. From the corner of his view, he saw what Shizu had chosen. In her left hand was a metal club of about 1 meter in length and 3 inches thick, in the other was a katana with its signature wave-like pattern across the face of its blade.
Shizu gave a couple swings with each of her weapons, probably getting used to them. Satisfied, her eyes went back to him.
"Let’s get started,” she said. “In this lesson, I’m going to be attacking you with the intent to kill.”
“Wait? What!” Azi felt his nerves tighten, as well as his throat.
“Don’t worry. If I do hit you, I’ll make sure to not let you suffer.”
This seemed like Shizu was joking, except her tone was dead serious. Azi swore he saw a furious aura emanating behind her. He trembled, wondering just what exactly had gotten her all riled up. With a pleading expression, he hiddenly glanced to the side of the field for help. Ben and Bail could only give him two pairs of thumbs up that were somewhat supportive, though it was worrying since their fake smiles didn’t exude a lick of confidence. It was more like they were wishing him well in the afterlife. In fact, it seemed like everyone else who was watching was wishing the same.
Azi put up his left arm in a guarding posture with the shield, then muttered under his breath. “I’m so screwed.”
But she’s not really going to kill me.. Right? Right?!
Shizu turned to Bail, who straightened at the mere glance she directed at him. "Start the match,” She yelled. “We don’t have all day!”
Bail nudged his brother Ben as he whispered under his breath. "You think it's that time of the month for the lass?"
Ben punched his twin in the shoulder. "Idiot!! Just shut up and just start the match! I swear if we piss her off, I’m not sticking around for your funeral."
Hurrying, Bail unceremoniously raised his arm up for everyone to see. ”WARRIORS!” He called. “By order of Lady Shizu, I will be the referee of this match between Ordained Knight Shizu and her Apprentice Azi.”
A round of interested mummers rolled out from the small crowds around the field. There was a buzz of anticipation from the workers. Bail turned to Shizu and then Azi.
After getting an impatient nod from Shizu and an understandably hesitant one from Azi, he spoke. “On my count, you will begin.” Gifting Azi a few seconds to let him breathe a few more breaths of precious life, he then raised his voice. “READY! HOLD!”
Azi bent his knees and lowered himself behind his small shield. With his sword thrusting out, he formed a one man phalanx. It was useless on his own, but it was the best he could manage in the way of a battle stance. It was defensive and his usual means of withstanding Shizu in their spars.
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
Shizu glared at him, there was contempt in her eyes. Azi wanted to ask what was up with her. He had invited her out to join him on another of his visits into the village, and now they were going to spar. For what reason? Well, he hadn’t a clue and it was too late to ask.
“BEGIN!!!!!"
At Bail’s shout, Shizu rushed forward and was closing in at an alarming speed. Caught off guard, Azi faltered and was sure his heart leapt in his chest. The level of intent Shizu was giving off was different from the times they had practiced, this time she was on the attack and wasn’t holding back in showing the gap in their abilities.
Azi tensed his sword arm and swung at her, but she backstepped so fluidly that he lost sight of her. From his perspective, she was gone the next second and was flickering in and out of his peripherals. When he spun on his heels to keep a lock on her, Shizu seemed like an approaching blur that moved left and then right. The constant need to turn his head threw him off.
A kick to his back sent him almost tripping. Azi spun and saw Shizu come down on him with her iron club. With his shield already raised, he blocked.. but.. Azi could instantly feel his left arm go numb from the brutal amount of force behind it. His guts felt like they were sloshing about inside him from the resounding impact. He reflexively grimaced from the force of her strike, the hit definitely left a new bruise. Trembling from the pain, his legs were like a newborn calf, helpless and fearful.
Undeterred, Shizu swung again, this time wild and wide. Azi sent his shield arm up to intercept. The hit rocked him and he got the impression he was more of a punching bag than an opponent. Holding on as best as he could, he noticed Shizu let her swinging arm extend too far. She slowed down as she tried to pull the metal club back up. Believing that this was an opportunity, Azi pressed forward with his short sword. He had a clear shot at her side. His aim faltered for a moment. The thought of drawing blood made his stomach churn, he couldn’t help it, he hadn’t done something like this before. Easily sidestepping to evade, Shizu again brought down her iron club on his shield. Her frown had deepened.
“Too hesitant.” She muttered, her club hitting faster and faster.
Three heavy blows landed on Azi's shield. Its once perfectly unblemished metal surface became marred in dents and a number of slight cracks stitched themselves across the outer edges. Azi pulled back, his shield creaked as he moved. Huffing and puffing as his breathing became heavy, he grunted as he fought the new greater soreness in his left arm. Only a few minutes in and he was tiring. Meanwhile, Shizu hadn’t even broken a sweat. At this rate, losing was inevitable and he was sure Shizu was going to make it hurt.
Or she’ll kill me. Azi paled at the idea. But she won’t.. Right? She wouldn’t.
Shizu leveled a hard eye on him, it filled the couple meters distant between them with a tense air. "Is that all?"
The question was taunting. Azi gritted his teeth in annoyance, an urge to complain welled up. He stopped himself, he knew it would do him nothing. What he found strange though was the way Shizu’s eyes regarded him and the way she talked. Her outward air made him feel.. Small.. repulsed. He felt lesser, he felt.. Underestimated.
Rolling his left shoulder to get himself centered, Azi gambled a charge and pushed off the ground. Shield raised, he aimed to strike Shizu in the stomach. If he wasn’t going to draw blood, then he’d bruise her like she’d done to him. Using his short sword to block and shield to attack in concert, he swung each in a rhythm. Shizu stepped lightly, swung and Azi blocked.. Only that he was blown unsteady in his stance.
The look on Shizu's face hardened as she ducked around him. Her eyes widened, a show of her sharpening focus yet she seemed unamused. As if on purpose, she was purposefully dodging his next attacks by only a hair's breadth. Azi grunted in displeasure, his face burning with embarrassment. He wondered how he looked to the crowd. This was probably a done deal fight, he’d lose and any effort he put in now was for nothing. So why go on?
No.. Azi refused, he inwardly reprimanded himself. I need to keep trying. I can’t.. I can’t just call it quits.
Minutes went by and Azi lost track of how many times he missed. Blocking Shizu’s strikes left him staggering every time and every time she let him recover. As he was pushed back yet again, he rushed to bring his sword into position to parry. The consequences of his recklessness showed. His posture was off, the positioning wasn’t right, it was uncontrolled. And now he left his right flank open. Shizu eyed his vulnerability and he braced for pain, but.. She didn’t take it. She opted to strike his shield again with her iron club.
The momentous hit made Azi gasp as his knees sank to the snowy ground. He turned his head up in time to meet Shizu’s gaze.
She could’ve ended the fight right there. Why? Why isn’t she ending it? Just as he was about to speak up, Shizu came down on him with her club once again.
“Wait.. I.” Azi didn’t get a chance to finish.
Shizu wouldn’t let him speak. Not stopping after the first, second, or third hit, her onslaught was merciless and unending. Azi was driven to the ground in utter submission as he hid behind his shield. Ben and Bail pulled their eyes away. Every devastating hit rang the air and made them wince. They worried that Shizu was going to kill the kid at this rate. The workers nearby seemed ready to speak up, but like Ben and Bail, they knew that butting into a matter concerning a well-known ordained knight was off the table. Azi was on his own.
The next thing Azi knew, the heaviest hit he had ever felt propelled him into a tumble across the snow. Shizu could have given chase, but again she didn’t. She just stood there, looking at Azi with eyes that held no interest or care, just a focused and haughty air.
"How long?” Her tone sounded harsh and disappointed. “Just how long do you think you can fight like this? You fight like a coward. Instead of facing your opponent with your sword you hide behind that shield. It may protect you but it will break. Your defense is a joke, your attacks are half hearted, and you are already crumbling.”
Staggering up to his feet, Azi wheezed as he curtly glanced at his shield. He had to agree, it was falling apart, and so was he. His shield was bent in all the wrong ways and his head was spinning from a piercing headache.
"Your.. point?" He said through a hoarse cough. He tasted blood in his mouth.
"My point!” Shizu emphasized as she stepped a few paces closer. “Is that when your shield fails, what will you do next? What will protect you? What will be your next move? You can’t just keep blocking and charging. You need to be faster, you need to be clever, you need to go at this with more resolve. Attack like you mean it."
Azi did his best to level his sword at Shizu. The question annoyed him, but he had no reply. This was all he could do, he had never fought, he wasn’t a warrior. He wanted to, to show he could shape up to it.. except.
"Speak!” Shizu demanded. “If this is the best you can do then you fail as my apprentice. If this is the best you can do, then you will die in the future. Do you think you will just come back from the dead? Do you think everyone will protect you?"
Azi didn’t answer, though he was thinking.
Shizu scoffed at his silence. “What has happened to you?” She asked contemptuously. “You were able to fight so gungho before with the Kengiri and in our spars, but questions as simple as this evade you?”
Azi frowned, now this was a taunt, it touched a nerve, but she was already in his head. He moved in resistance to his body’s plea to stop. He managed a step that was followed with a feeble, limping charge.
“Useless.” Shizu said and batted him away with a deft swing of her club.
Pieces of metal sprayed onto the ground as Azi was thrown into a roll. He came to a stop and was laid flat on his stomach, gritting his teeth through the pain. Shizu’s steps came close as the snow crunched under her sandals.
“Get up!” She shouted. “Get up, and try again. Or are you too weak to do even that!”
Azi pressed his hands up from the ground and wheezed. A vile feeling crept up his throat as he threw up onto the snow. The hearing in his ears was becoming fuzzy. What Shizu said next was slowly lost to a sharp hum in the background. He blinked as the corner of his view was turning dark. He was blacking out.
***
Opening his eyes, Azi found that the ground had changed. His mind felt lighter, except he had the uncanny notion that he was lost. Just what had he been doing? A wooden surface laid under him. For a moment he tried to stand. He couldn’t, a paralysis kept him from flexing any of his muscles. Then it came back to him, he recalled that he was fighting Shizu.
But where am I? What is this? A dream?
The thought quickly had him realizing that was in fact the case. He recognized the floor and where he was, only that the name of the location eluded him. This situation was like all his dreams, they were always incomplete, yet he felt that he knew what it was about and where he remembered it from. He hadn’t fallen asleep, he knew that for sure. So what was happening?
Did I pass out? Maybe, but..
Suddenly a flash of nightmares assailed him. It rocked him to his very core. As if a knife had been pressed down his throat, he choked and gagged, he wanted to scream. Only he couldn’t, he was forced to let the sensation roll and tear away inside of him. Against his will, his body began moving on its own. Getting so fast onto his feet, Azi didn’t realize he had lashed out. His fist clenched as he punched at something in front of him. It was a large leathery bag hung up from the ceiling.
What the hell is happening?
The answer to that came as his other hand lashed out with a following punch. The impact felt good, it was like his anger and frustrations were being drained out of him. He was venting, that was for sure. It was.. Relaxing, and exhilarating at the same time, except a persisting shard of guilt lodged itself in his throat.
No! No! No! A shouting voice filled his ears. Don’t let it get to you.. Don’t be mad, control it.
Azi let off another punch. But I want to.. And.. And.. I.. I want to do better.. I want to show them I can do it. I’m good at this But.. But.. No matter how much I try, it’s never enough. It’s always never enough. They don’t see me.. They don’t see how hard I work, how.. How much I struggle. How far I’ve come.
A blaring screech echoed off the wooden walls of the room, it sounded like nails grinding against a chalkboard.
Eyes.. their eyes.
The voice continued and flashes of memories came to Azi. Visages of people, their faces blurred, but still he could sense the disdain and hatred from them. He forced himself not to see it, he shifted his focus back on the punching bag. He struck again and a pressure inside him waned, though was growing every second he breathed.
With every punch, memories flashed. There were people he knew, emotions he felt. In one, he saw a woman he knew was his mother hitting him, screaming at him. Then there was one with kids around him, pointing and jeering. Then of himself, crying as he huddled in his room.
That’s right. This was how it was before, in that place before. The place where I came from.
A new set of memories unrolled. Dark nights of fatigue, books in hand, tired eyes reading in constant effort, and a will driving him to learn. But failure was all that came of it. He wanted to succeed, to do his best. He wanted to be happy, yet when he tried to do what he could.. be selfless.. those around him never said it was enough. They were never proud, never satisfied, they were always looking at him as if he were a problem, a stain, a weakling, an insignificant bother.
The impact of his fist reverberated through him once again. He punched and punched, letting rage and unfettered feelings get the better of him.
I have to be better, I have to. I.. I..
A wet drop fell to the wooden floor.
I can’t..
From the storm of emotions came a tide of sadness. There was another wet drop, then another and another, until his face was an utter sobbing mess. Still punching and venting, his knuckles feeling raw and bloody, he wished and wished for a second chance.
So do it. A new voice said in his head. This is your chance, you can start anew, you can be a new person here, here in Shisayama. No one knows you, but that isn’t a bad thing. Make friends, do what you want, be happy.
But the past.. I can’t.. Leave it. What if I left family, friends, a dream or something I should’ve remembered. I need to know where I’m from.. How can I be me.. If I don’t know who I am.
I didn’t say you need to forget. The new voice replied. I’m saying that this time, try with a fresh start. Be yourself.. Be you.. Be Azi.. Start anew. I know you can. And dad would say likewise. You will remember everything when you are ready.
***
Laying at Shizu's feet, Azi was as still as a rock. She sighed. “So this is as far as you can go?” Grimacing, she had hoped this would’ve turned out better.
While not her intention to kill or permanently maim him, she wanted to push Azi in a way she hadn’t in the past. The last few spars had been carefully. She pulled her punches but she made sure to not be soft and only a little lenient. This time, she threw caution to the wind. And this was the result. Azi couldn’t cut it, he just wasn’t cut out for combat, which meant he wasn’t up to the task of being her apprentice. Some part of Shizu hoped he could. At least she didn’t come out of this without answering some of her own questions.
She was sure Azi was special to her, special in a way like a close friend or confidant was. Because it hurt, it hurt her heart to see him suffer, even more so since she was inflicting it herself. Now that she knew this, she could at least stop pushing him so hard. He had gone far enough. And while he wasn’t good at being a warrior, he’d do some good as an academic. After today, she’d revoke his apprentice title and see if she could bring him along to the capital.
“Alright then..”
There was an undertone of disappointment in her words as she stepped away. Suddenly, a second later, she heard the snow shift behind her. Shizu spun back to tell Azi to give it a rest. Her eyes flew open at the intensity of his gaze and she went silent. Azi rasped a ragged breath, then the next one he heaved was hoarse, then turned into a bestial growl as he pushed himself off the ground. A flicker of white light emanated from his balled fists.
“Wait,” He grunted. “Not yet. Not.. Yet!”
As pressed himself up first with his left foot, he then got up with his right. Wobbling for a second, he steadied himself. Shizu stepped back, snapping her weapons at the ready on reflex. That was weird. She recognized a faint feeling of fear and excitement, as if she needed to be on guard. This was like that time, that time when Azi had fought his hardest when the odds were against him. Grinning, Shizu crossed her weapons in a guard. This was what she wanted to draw out, what she had been wanting to see.
But should I push him again? What if.. He gets hurt.. What if.. I break him..
Bracing herself both mentally and physically, she let out breath.
"Show me!" She declared. “Show me what you can do. This is your last chance, so bring it on!”
Azi responded by throwing down his weapons. The remains of his shield clattered and broke apart on the ground. Everyone was confused, then thrown into shock as Azi took up a fight stance with only his fists.
Ben spoke up from the sidelines. "You need a weapon, kid! Are you insane!”
Other spectators shouted as well, urging Azi to give up and to not be so stupid and rash.
“Shut up!” Bail shouted. Immediately, the spectators were cowed and Bail wrangled Ben into submission. “Be quiet you idiot! Do you want to lose your head! We can’t interfere.”
Ignoring their outcry, Shizu studied Azi. He was putting all his focus on her. Not only that, there was a fire in his eyes, a fire that seemed threatening. It was as if he had changed his perspective, that he now saw Shizu differently just as she had treated him differently. He had the eyes of a fighter, who recognized that an opponent was in his sights.