Act II: Death

     "Do you really have to go?" a woman asks.
     "You know I must," a man answers.
     "But... what about your child?" she asks.
     The man reaches down to caress the pregnant body of the woman, "My child will be
strong and grow up to take care of his mother."
     The woman puts her arms around the man, "I don't want to lose you."
     "I do this to create a better world for you and for everyone else in the world."
     The woman takes a step back to look at her husband, "Well, whatever you do, come back
to me, Tenkei."
     "I will always be with you."
     The two hug one more time and the man picks up a bag and turns to walk away. A few
feet from the house he turns and looks back at his wife and she waves to him. He smiles and
continues on his way.
     Tenkei whispers to himself, "I love you and my unborn child dearly, but I can't sit and
watch the people suffer under this empire. The blood of Kintei flows through me, and I know
one day, somehow, my child will feel the way I do about stopping the oppression."
     He walks out of the village and to the side of a mountain that towers above the valley. He
stops by a relatively small shrine. He glances around and closes his eyes. He thinks to himself:
     I can feel you. You give me the power needed to face such great odds. I thank you as I
always have for the great gift that you have blessed me with. And I ask you, spirits of war, that
as you have let me use your powers in the name of peace, please protect my family. Thank you.
     Finishing his request in his mind, Tenkei moves on towards the nearby city. He calmly
walks through the mountain trails on his way, admiring his surroundings.
     He finds himself at the crest of a hill looking over another valley that has a bustling city
within.
     "Shoumu," he comments to himself. "Be good to me."
     He starts walking down the hill. It doesn't take long for him to enter the city. There are
many people around trying to hide their excitement. Tenkei walks into a secluded building.
Inside a group of men sit and stand around a table talking back and forth.
     Tenkei shuts the door behind him and they all turn to see him. The conversation stops.
     "Greetings, Tenkei," one man says.
     "Hello, Souro," Tenkei responds. "How are your people doing?"
     "The settlement is moving along fine now with this here convention stirring everything
up. This is the big one, I knot."
     Tenkei walks over to a large map that is spread out over the table.
     "I see the scouts did a good job at figuring out the palace," he says looking over it.
     "That they did," one man says. "The people put so much heart into their efforts."
     "Well, I hope we can repay them for that," Tenkei says. "I believe now is the time."
     Souro speaks up, "We have militias gathering secretly all around the palace. I think if we
just hit them all at once we can get past the guards and the army will not be able to respond in
time due to increased piracy on the frontier, which by the way is our doing as well."
     "I'm impressed," Tenkei says amazed. "I left here just as things were beginning to heat
up. I was not expecting it to get so far without me."
     "As much as I wanted you here for this," Souro begins. "I wish you had stayed at home."
     "What for?" Tenkei questions. "My place is here."
     An older man speaks, "We sent you on your ‘vacation' back to your village because we
heard of your wife's pregnancy. We thought you would have at least stayed with her until the
child was born. But no, here you are."
     "You know my beliefs," Tenkei reminds the men. "Family is important to me, but peace
for all has to be achieved."
     The group grudgingly acknowledges his sentiments. Souro continues.
     "We are expecting that the storming of the palace will begin within the next couple of
days," he says. "Which means we should probably get going today if we are going to get there."
     "Right."
     The group disperses to set up their own arrangements. Souro and Tenkei stay behind to
clean up the maps and all the other signs of human presence.
     "Souro?"
     "Yeah?"
     "I do have one thing about my family that I have to settle."
     "And that is?" Souro asks.
     "I need to know they will be okay no matter what the outcome," Tenkei answers. "I want
to ask you, to watch over them if something happens to me. Especially my child. I know my wife
well enough to know she will find a way to handle anything, but I don't know my child yet. And
I already know what kind of beliefs he will generally possess."
     "Of course I will," Souro replies. "You know, it must be kind of nice knowing that no
matter what you do your child will be brought up with dominantly peaceful values. I wish I
could have brought up a child, even without that guarantee."
     Tenkei stops his cleaning up for a moment and asks, "Did you see them?"
     "I stopped by before arriving here at Shoumu," Souro replies. "I brought some flowers
for my wife, and... and I left a koma(top) on my son's grave. And... and... I... sang my daughter's
favorite song... to her."
     Souro begins having trouble standing. Tenkei puts a hand on his shoulder.
     "You're a good man, Souro. A good man."
     "Yeah, I know," he responds. "You have said that before."
     "Well, it's the truth."
     "Come on, let's finish this and go."
     The two soon finish their cleaning and make the place look like it was never disturbed.
Then they head out to Souro's ship to go to their respective forces lying in wait by the Imperial
palace.

     "Souro, sir," an officer greets his captain as he steps of the ship with Tenkei. "All
possible entryways are ready to be bombarded. All groups are in place and have signaled their
readiness."
     "Good," Souro responds. "Then as soon as night falls, we strike."
     "Yes, sir."
     The twilight arrives, and the various resistance camps begin to feel excitement as they
await the order of attack. The sun just finishes it's decline over the horizon when the order
comes out.
     A large roar rises from the fields as the militias shout their battle-cry. They all come out
from above the hills. Behind the castle walls, two Imperial guards watch them coming.
     "What is that?" one asks.
     "I'm not sure," the other answers. "They are just rising out of nowhere."
     "Sound the alarm!"
     Large bells throughout the castle are struck, announcing the men to their posts. The
militias approach the castle walls, as the castle's battery begins showering them with shrapnel.
Whole groups of men are taken out, but they press on.
     Breaking down gates, scaling walls, and blowing straight through them with their own
cannonade, the resistance fights it's way into the castle. The startled Imperial guards can barely
keep up with the onslaught of rebels.
     Soon, a special group makes its way past the slaughter, and into a deeper part of the
castle. They run down narrow hallways, slashing the few guards left on their way. They reach a
large heavy door. Altogether they begin trying to knock it open.
     "Heave!" a leader shouts. "Heave! Heave!"
     The door finally breaks down and the group of men charge in, spreading out behind their
leader, cutting down the opposition. There, sitting on the throne in this room, is the emperor.
The leader walks straight up to the man, who remains calm.
     "We are here to end your tyrannical rule," the leader announces. "Surrender."
     The emperor stays calm, "This is quite the pathetic insurrection. Trying to catch my army
at its worst?"
     "Just trying to free all those oppressed by your evil ways."
     "Tenkei Hachimonguu is your name, correct?" the emperor asks.
     "That is my name," he answers.
     "I have heard your name come up in discussion of treason quite a bit lately," the emperor
tells him. "And now you think I would be so unprepared for your visit?"
     Tenkei and his men stare at the emperor questioningly. Suddenly, men dressed in black
drop down on ropes from above, and some creep out from shadows to grab the militia, killing
some in the process.
     Tenkei looks around im, all his men are either dead or captured. He looks back at the
emperor, "How did you know of this?"
     "I have my ways," the emperor says. "But really I am glad you came."
     Tenkei stares unwavering.
     "There is someone I would like you to meet, Tenkei Hachimonguu."
     A young man, of about 19 dressed in a black outfit, climbs out from the shadows behind
the emperor's throne. A sword rests at the side of the handsome boy.
     "This is my greatest asset," the emperor proclaims. "And I am glad you are here to see
firsthand what the strongest in my nation can do."
     With that the young man steps forward. He speaks to Tenkei, "You don't uphold your
principles."
     "What?" Tenkei questions.
     "I thought I would have to face you one day," the young man says. "I researched you. I
know that you hold peace above all else. I know you believe in the myth of the peaceful Kintei,
and that you wish not to hurt anyone."
     "It is true," Tenkei answers. "I am a Prince of the Kintei, and a student of such peaceful
arts as Aikido, and I hold these peaceful truths it the utmost confidence."
     "And yet you kill so easily," the young man continues. "Everything that has occurred
here today has something to do with you. You are the one credited with starting it all. Life may
have been harsh, but it was peaceful enough before you brought all this death."
     "That is a lie and you know it," Tenkei shouts at him. "The people would rather die then
be left under the rule of this reprehensible pig."
     Tenkei points at the emperor.
     "You dare dishonor my lord?" the man questions.
     "I despise your lord," Tenkei shouts. "I spit in his face."
     "Do what you will," the young man replies. "And you shall be punished for it."
     Tenkei stares for a moment at the boy as he unsheathes his sword and holds it low and
behind him on his right side.
     "You, so young, believe these old traditional fairytales of upholding the emperor's rule?"
Tenkei questions. "Tell me, what is your name?"
     "I am Hirohisa Rakushoda," the young man answers. "Head of the emperor's Imperial
guard, and slayer of the great Tenkei Hachimonguu along with his whole resistance."
     "But you are so young?" Tenkei questions further. He then looks to the emperor, "You
entrusted such a young boy to head your personal protection?"
     The emperor responds, "Look at him. He feels nothing. It is like he has the experience of
a thousand wars, and yet he has never truly been involved actively on a battlefield. He is
acclaimed now throughout his homeland as a great warrior. He has killed many who dare face
me. He takes out those the people think can never be taken out, slowly destroying their faith in
what they call good."
     Tenkei changes his stare back to the Rakushoda as the emperor continues, "And now
you, Hachimonguu, will be his greatest elimination. With your death, the resistance dies too.
Rakushoda, exterminate this man."
     Rakushoda's body tenses. Tenkei lightly bends his knees, and places his right hand on the
handle of his sword. Rakushoda launches quickly into a violent attack. His sword, resting where
it was before, is lifted high into the air, and with all his strength Rakushoda tries to throw it
down into Tenkei's shoulder in a semicircle motion.
     With incredible speed, Tenkei rips out his sword just barely blocking the stroke. As
Rakushoda hears his sword clang against Tenkei's, he jumps back, his sword in the position it
was before.
     With little hesitation he moves forwards again. His sword moves in a semicircle motion
again, but horizontal instead of vertical. Rakushoda follows that up, with his sword resting on
his left side, by bring it up diagonally into the air. The strike Tenkei dodges, but the second
catches him by surprise and the tip of Rakushoda's sword scrapes across Tenkei's chest. Tenkei
jumps back, grabbing where he is hurt.
     "Congratulations," Rakushoda speaks, resettling into his first position. "Not many last
two attacks, you were fortunate not to have been defeated on the second part of my second
technique."
     "What style are you?" Tenkei asks. "I can sense you move in a circular pattern on the
most part, I do not know what style it is you are using."
     "Fireblade," Rakushoda answers. "I am a master of the Fireblade style."
     Tenkei tries to think about it. He comes up blank.
     "I am skilled enough I can take you whether or not I know of your style," Tenkei
announces.
     Tenkei moves forward to strike. Tenkei simply lifts his sword above his head and comes
down hard. Rakushoda brings his sword around and blocks it. The two stay locked in this X
formation between their swords. Tenkei thinks to himself:
     How can he move so fast. His sword was behind him, that is how he holds it, yet he
blocks so easily. His grip as well, it is so relaxed, yet so strong. And if I look into his eyes, it is
like staring into nothing. I am having trouble reading him.
     Rakushoda can sense Tenkei's troubles, "Your teachings tell you to use your opponent's
strength against them. To figure what they are going to use, and use it for your own attack. My
momentum is yours as well, correct?"
     Tenkei doesn't answer, Rakushoda continues, "I feel nothing because I am nothing. I am
not flustered at your willingness to attack me, for I have no anger, just protocol. I know what I
must do and I will do it. And you will not be able to gauge how much strength you are up
against. I learned, in my harshest lesson from my master, the grip and posture I needed to
disguise my efforts. I appear relaxed, do I not?"
     Tenkei pushes off his sword and steps away. Tenkei judges his opponent again.
     Rakushoda restates an old lesson, "Attack swiftly as fire spreads. Embrace your
environment as if everything may cause you pain. You will never be the strongest if you fight
with fire in your heart."
     Tenkei questions him, "So you fight with nothing at all?"
     "No life, that is my destiny, but at least I will never be hurt on an emotional level."
     "But no one can live without love and happiness in their life," Tenkei tells him.
     "Look at me," Rakushoda orders. "Do I have love? Do I have happiness? Do I have hate?
Do I have depression?"
     Tenkei observes the young man, "I can't argue with you," he says. "Everyone can have
their personal preference, but..."
     "But nothing."
     Rakushoda begins running towards Tenkei, Tenkei charges in the same. Rakushoda with
his sword behind his right side, Tenkei with the sword lifted above his right shoulder.
Rakushoda lifts his sword up and slashes down. Tenkei brings his sword down too. The swords
strike each other loudly and the two men crash their strengths together. Tenkei doesn't leave the
swords locked in the old X formation. He manages to push Rakushoda's sword down. The tip of
his sword is dug into the ground.
     Tenkei takes the opportunity. He lifts lifts his sword up, and rips down into the right side
of Rakushoda's neck. His sword cuts down through the collar bone, and ends halfway down the
chest before the tip of the sword exits. Tenkei's sword leaves heading to his left. Rakushoda rips
his sword up out of the ground, dirt flying everywhere, and sends his blade into Tenkei's chest,
and straight up exiting just beneath his jaw.
     Tenkei goes flying backwards, twisting his body, landing face down. A small pool
envelopes his body from the fatal wound. Rakushoda collapses to one knee. The emperor orders
a group of men to carry him immediately to the emperor's doctors, to try and salvage his life.
     The militia stares quietly at what just happened. The emperor orders the men to be taken
into cells, and executed later for treason. in the rest of the castle, armies invade from outside the
castle aiding the Imperial guard. It does not take long until Souro orders retreat.