Family Ties

Shen saw the glimmer of hope he had sparked in the depths of Lina's despair return to her weary eyes as his talk with her came to an end. He turned to her after taking a big breath, the air heavy with unspoken promises.

He stated, "I need you to take me to the main fortress," in a firm voice.

After all, the stronghold was a well-known landmark in the area, so Lina hesitated, a glimmer of perplexity in her eyes. On the horizon, its soaring spires were never far away. Nevertheless, she merely nodded after pausing for a time. They went out into the open together and started walking toward the fortress that towered over the surroundings.

Shen's eyes wandered about his new surroundings as they traveled, but his mind was racing, trying to make sense of the vastness of the world he had fallen into and the lengthy path to redemption that lied ahead. He was aware of the enormous task of improving himself, but the vow he had just given Lina stoked a fire within of him. As though each were engrossed in the maze of their own thoughts, the ensuing silence was dense and reflective.

Before long, their vision was dominated by the fortress's tall walls, whose stone faces appeared to scrape the sky itself. When they arrived at the outside perimeter, Lina paused and looked at Shen, meeting his eyes.

She said, "Shen... thank you," in an emotionally charged voice. "If it weren’t for you, I would have... I would have aborted the pregnancy." Raw and weighty, her words lingered in the air. But I want to believe in the optimism you've given me. I could never kill someone, not right now. After pausing, she drew closer to him and gave him a firm embrace. Her embrace created a connection that, despite being novel, felt deep because it expressed a level of appreciation and trust that words could not. The feeling was alien to Shen, an unexpected warmth that pierced his barriers—a solace he had never experienced.

Lina cautiously took a pendant from her neck and extended it to him when she eventually withdrew. She said, "This is the only thing I have left from my family," in a voice that was a delicate blend of grief and hope. "I want it for you. It has always kept me safe, and I think it will do the same for you. Keep it with you at all times, please.

Shen's hand hovered, he paused. It felt awful, a responsibility he hadn't earned, to take such a valuable relic from someone he hardly knew. However, he was unable to resist Lina's gentle yet firm urging. He took the jewelry and nodded solemnly.

Shen looked at her, his palm gripping its chilly, smooth pendant. His voice echoing with a renewed resolution, he added, "I promise," "I'll do everything in my power." The necklace was a concrete reminder of his commitment, and he put it around his neck with care, feeling its strange weight fall against his chest.

Lina nodded and a small, brittle grin appeared on her lips. She whispered, "I'll wait for you at the chapel." He turned toward the fortress gates, and she stepped back, her gaze still fixed on him. Shen started toward the enormous door without turning around, his stride steady and purposeful.

The air became colder as he entered the fortress's enormous gates and entered a spacious hallway with incredibly high ceilings and elaborately carved stone walls. The stone was covered in enormous tapestries that showed historical victories and legendary wars; their vivid hues stood out against the fortress's drab austerity. In every corner, soldiers stood erect, their vigilant gazes following his every step. Shen's footsteps reverberated along the large, quiet corridor, attracting the attention of multiple guards whose attitudes changed from stoicism to interest upon seeing his strange clothing.

After a while, a guard broke formation and came toward him, his hand cautiously resting on his sword's pommel. Shen's composed manner was obviously inappropriate because civilians hardly ever went this far within the fortress unless they had complaints to make to a commander.

The guard's tone was stern and questioning as he inquired, "Who are you?"

Shen took a steadying breath and straightened. "I'm here to see my brother," he said with assurance. "I carry the name Takeda."

The guards exchanged uncomfortable looks, their professional demeanor briefly faltering as suspicion and surprise fought for control of their expressions. One of them made his eyes narrow. "Takeda?" he said again, the name tinged with incredulity. "You’re claiming that Commander Geno Takeda is your brother?"

Shen remained steadfast in his manner. He said, "Yes," without hesitation. "Geno Takeda is my brother."

A tense moment of mutual stillness was followed by a change in mood. The guard who had spoken bowed slightly as the strain in their shoulders subsided. "The commander said you could show up. This way," he replied, gesturing for Shen to follow, his voice now full of respect.

Shen's thoughts were racing as they made their way through the maze-like hallways. Although he knew very little about this man, who was ostensibly his brother, Geno Takeda was obviously a very powerful person inside these walls. Curiosity and trepidation swirled inside him. He would require Geno's help if he was to live in this new environment, much less prosper. He had to comprehend the man first, though.

At last they came to a big, iron-framed door. Three strong knocks were made by the guard. A deep, authoritative voice answered from inside. "Enter."

When the guard pushed the heavy door open, a large mahogany table took center stage in the roomy office. It was a disorganized but well-organized monument to the responsibilities of command, filled with maps, strategic papers, and combat preparations. Geno Takeda was standing behind it. A man with massive shoulders and chiseled features gave off an appearance of unwavering authority, as if he controlled the very air in the room. Geno looked up when Shen entered, but his sharp eyes were focused on a page. There was a noticeable tension in the room for a considerable amount of time when their eyes locked.

Geno said, "Shen," in a voice as firm and unwavering as the walls of the fortress. "You’ve arrived earlier than I expected."

Shen inhaled deeply, gathering his courage. His voice was clear and purposeful as he took a step forward. "Yes, brother," he said out loud. "You were correct. It is my responsibility as a Takeda to keep the populace safe. I'm here to train to become a commander, that's why."

The tiniest trace of a grin appeared on Geno's lips as his focused stare subtly relaxed. "I’ve been waiting to hear those words, Shen," he replied. "Your determination is admirable. You appear to be at last prepared to accept your responsibilities, and a Takeda never backs down from them."

With a deliberate motion, Geno stepped to the side of the room and unfastened the thick clasp of his command cloak. With a serious yet upbeat smile, he turned back to Shen. He said, "I will personally take you to the training grounds." "Your abilities and character will be put to the test there. You will gain your spot among us if you can demonstrate your value.

Shen silently trailed behind Geno as they left the main keep and entered a large courtyard that was bustling with orderly activity. The air was filled with the roar of clashing steel, guttural cries, and the steady thump of feet on packed dirt. Under the close supervision of seasoned instructors, soldiers practiced and engaged in combat. Shen's determination blazed brighter as his eyes traveled across the tumultuous scene.

With a visage that seemed to have been carved out of granite and an air of unwavering discipline, Geno guided him toward a mountain of a man. In a single, broad look, the man's keen eyes evaluated Shen's value from head to toe.

Geno's voice was authoritative. "This is Shen, my brother, Sergeant Raiden. You will be guiding him during his training. Get him ready to be a commander.

Sergeant Raiden turned his entire focus to Shen, his scrutiny so intense it was like a weight on his body. His tone was as harsh and uncompromising as his posture, but his face was still unreadable. He muttered, "Let's hope you live up to the name Takeda."

Shen stood erect, meeting the sergeant's intimidating glare without flinching. "I will," he answered quietly and resolutely.

Geno firmly touched Shen's shoulder. He cautioned, "This will not be an easy path," in a quiet voice. "The training will challenge you to go beyond your comfort zone. But you'll come out stronger under Raiden's tutelage. You will develop into the ideal Takeda leader that our people require.

Shen nodded as he felt the words his brother had spoken weigh heavily on him. He stated unequivocally, "I’m ready," in his voice.

With a tiny but unmistakable grin, Geno's rare smile reappeared. "All right. Then let's get started.

Shen realized that this was more than simply the beginning of a new chapter as he entered the training grounds. It was the start of his actual journey—a route to establish his value, secure his atonement, and create his own future as a public guardian. There were high expectations associated with the Takeda name, and Shen was resolved to surpass them all at any costs.