Raise the Red Flag

One Year Ago

Kyoko and Isamu Fujiwara watched with anticipation from the stands along with the small crowd of spectators attending the Kanto Tennis Tournament along with their friends the Chiba and Minamoto families. Down at court level, Akiko was holding service on her second set but was now facing break point against her opponent. Already down one set, this was a must-win set for her to force a third set or face elimination.

Akiko leaned back as she tossed the ball for her serve, sending the ball down the center service line where her opponent was already waiting to send it back down close to the left singles sideline, forcing Akiko to sprint to deliver a backhand return. Her opponent drifted to her right and sent a powerful line drive down the right ending the point, set and game, much to Akiko's chagrin.

"Point... Match... Makita," the referee announced.

As the court prepared for the next game, Akiko went under the stands as her parents came to meet her. "You played a great game," Kyoko gushed.

"Mom... I lost," Akiko sighed.

"You made a great effort Akiko-chan," Isamu comforted with his hand on her shoulder. "That kind of determination means you're going to be great someday," he promised.

"That's right," Kyoko agreed. "You just need to find what you were meant to do, and it'll come," as both parents embraced Akiko. "Just know that no matter what, we'll always be there for you."

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Present Day

Emperor Takahito Minamoto looked on from the great hall as the latest batch of prisoners were herded from the dungeons and out into the courtyard to the waiting caravan of wagons. In particular, this group had a special pair that had just been brought in from another world for a specific reason. For them to serve that purpose, he would need to make an announcement.

"The officials are ready for you, My Lord," the minister reported.

The Emperor nodded and made his way to the group of magicians that handled propaganda throughout the Empire. This group specialized in magic that could send out communications far and wide throughout the realm. One thing the Emperor had learned long ago was mass psychology and how it impacted both warfare and peacetime and how it could be used to harness the populous for his purposes. "My people, I come to you today..."

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The group of Akiko, Keiko, Masako along with Kenji and the rest of the resistance group got off the boats as it docked on the coast of a territory that she was told was named Turuk Barony. "So, who is Baron Turuk again?"

"Another ally," Kenji assured. "He's actually closely tied to Baron Roark in trade." He paused when he saw Akiko's expression. "Are you alright?"

Akiko looked around. "It's just that... this place... I feel like I've been here before."

"You should," Hiromi chimed in. "This was where we were going to escape to once Akira put in for retirement. The farm that would have been ours was actually just past the mountain range over that southwest ridge by a hamlet named Dafoe Meadow. It... would have been a nice peaceful life."

The group made their way to the central town of the Barony a short distance from the port. After a short greeting to confirm their identities, the group was introduced into the great hall of the central keep. "Welcome my friends, so glad to see your return," Baron Turuk greeted. "We had heard you were captured months ago and feared we'd never see you again."

"You can thank our new leaders for rescuing our group," Kenji credited. "She's the one who was prophesized as the return of my mentor Captain Fujiwara."

"I see... My seers have advised me that reincarnation was involved but I had to see it to believe it. I knew your... well... predecessor, if that is the correct term," Baron Turuk nodded. "He was a great man, and I was looking forward to welcoming him to my lands... a pity things didn't work out that way."

"Thank you, My Lord," Akiko offered with a gracious bow. "If we're fortunate, maybe we can revisit that discussion at a later time. For now, there are more pressing matters we need to discuss."

"This Aetheria you mentioned, yes," the Baron agreed, as the group reconvened to the conference room where the town guard plan for more militaristic problems. "For the time being, the fortress is still in Fort Magish, which suggests they haven't finished the complex magical enchantments that would be needed for such a powerful weapon. I've reached out to the southern Roark and Belray baronies and we've been focusing on attacking Empire supply wagons that pass through or near our territories in hopes of capturing more of the enchantment crystals to slow down their progress, but as of late, they've started to reroute their shipments towards the central baronies who are among the loyalists."

Just then one of the aides came running into the briefing room. "Sirs, there's something you need to see..."

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"...come to you today to announce the capture and sentencing of a pair of dangerous fugitives. These insurrectionists had posed a grave and immediate threat to the safety and security of the Empire. Fortunately, I am here to report that their threat is at an end, and they will be sentenced to a lifetime at the Spire..." the image of the Emperor announced. Akiko and Keiko froze in shock at the sight of two unmistakably distinct figures being escorted. They were staring at a magically generated image of the Emperor standing at an elevated platform in the capital city with a backdrop of soldiers behind him. "Their example will serve as a reminder of the futility of resistance against the Empire. May the High Gods have mercy on their souls..."

Akiko's jaw went slack as her breathing grew unsteady. She collapsed to her knees with Keiko holding onto her shoulders. Behind them, Masako looked on with silent disbelief. After a moment's consideration, she left the room, while the rest of the group congregated around Akiko.

"Lady Fujiwara, you have to know this is a trap," Jun emphasized.

"Come on, we're not stupid, of course it's a trap!" Keiko retorted. "That doesn't change what they've done or who they're holding!"

"This wasn't... it wasn't supposed to be like this..." Akiko whispered with a quivering voice, shaking her head with disbelief. "We've been through so much but... what kept me going was the idea that... eventually... we'd find a way home... and that Mom and Dad... my life and all my friends would be there for me... for all of us... " She sighed and swallowed. "We'd be in college a year from now... talk about that silly time when the three of us were in that crazy land of knights and magic and how it was all like a made-up dream." She looked at Keiko with tear-filled eyes. "None of this was supposed to end up like this..."

"That's not how it's going to end!" Keiko declared. "We're going to find where that wagon train is going and we're going to stop it and free them, just like last time! We did it once, we can do it again!"

"I'm afraid it won't be that easy," Kenji sighed, causing Keiko's and Akiko's heads to turn.

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Masako quietly finished the last of her preparations, strapping her sword to her back. She looked at the mirror with doubts in her eyes before steeling herself. I have to do this...

"Were you really planning to go without even saying a word to your friends?" Hiromi said as Masako turned to leave.

"I-I don't know what you mean..." Masako obfuscated.

"You feel like you help create this situation with the Emperor by serving in his court and now you're going back? After everything your friends have done to rescue you?" Hiromi asked.

"I don't... I don't even belong here anymore..." Masako sighed as she subconsciously stroked at her sword. "Ever since being here, I've felt more like Masahiro than ever... no matter how much I tell myself otherwise. And if there's even a slight chance I can get Akiko's parents freedom as a swap, then that would be worth it, even if it costs me my life."

"Hrumph... is that Masako talking... or Masahiro...? Because from what I've heard about the late Prince Masahiro Minamoto, he was a purely selfish, self-serving scoundrel who thought about nothing but himself. Sacrificing his own life to save someone else's parents... that sounds more like the choice of a best friend and not a self-serving prince from this Empire."

"Look... I... I don't know what to do... or where I belong anymore..." Masako despaired.

"It comes down to one simple question..." Hiromi summarized. "Whose life do you want to live? Masako or Masahiro?"