“George, get down from the tree already!!!”
My older half-brother Lawrence shouted from below, his voice climbing an octave in worry and anger.
“Five minutes. Just five more minutes.” I replied casually, as I leaned back into the trunk, comfortable in my position.
I closed my eyes, remembering the dream that I had last night.
I have been having the same dream over and over again these past few days.
Well, more than a dream, it was a nightmare.
Tall flames would surround me from all sides, its fiery arms reaching toward me, suffocating me in its unbearable fumes.
Yet, I was not running.
Why was I not running away, trying to escape from this burning hell?
Why did I choose to remain in that same spot, smiling as if…it had been inevitable?
I-
“Nobunaga-sama! Akechi Mitsuhide has betrayed us!”
I looked down at the person who spoke.
Although I couldn’t make out his face fully, he was nevertheless familiar to me.
“Akechi…huh.”
I chuckled.
For reasons unknown to me, I found that fact highly amusing.
Turning to him, I seized my laughter.
“Run, Ranmaru. ’Tis my fate to perish here, not yours.”
He grimaced at my suggestion, shaking his head furiously.
“I will stay with Nobunaga-sama no matter where he goes.”
I narrowed my eyes in sorrow.
“Even if he is heading straight to Hell?”
“Hell or Heaven, if that is his destination, then I shall follow until the end.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
I smiled.
“What an idiot you are…”
There, I would see a single teardrop trailing down his cheek.
And then-
“GEORGE WASHINGTON, YOU BETTER COME DOWN HERE RIGHT NOW OR ELSE NO DINNER FOR YOU!”
I snapped out of my thoughts.
Sighing, I nodded reluctantly at the tiny figure of my brother below.
“Coming.”
I hoisted myself off the branch, preparing to begin the descent…
Then, I slipped.
The last things I remember, as I fell endlessly into the earth beneath, were the frantic cries of my brother and the strange silence all around us.
Thud.
My world went dark.
—————————
“Young lord, are you alright?”
What is going on?
“Nobunaga-sama, thank heavens you are fine! We were so worried when you fell from that tree a few moments ago!”
Who…?
“Wait,” I said, as the weird individuals in fancy robes rushed to my side, “who is Nobunaga?”
“…”
They gasped in unison.
“GEHH! OUR LORD HAS LOST HIS MIND! SOMEONE SEND FOR HELP!”
Who are these people, where am I, and what exactly is going on?!?
This was the day that I, George Washington, officially became the man known as Oda Nobunaga.
Prologue- End