Shattered Destinies, Part 2

The words spoken by the young boy cut deep into Ichiji’s heart.

“What do you mean?” Ichiji asked, trying desperately to keep himself calm.

“Does what I said have another meaning? After tonight, the White Order shall be no more. What did you think I meant?” Akagi asked.

His posture was relaxed, head turned at an angle due to his genuine confusion. But it wasn’t the casual discussion of murder, or even the boy’s age that disturbed Ichiji.

His presence itself…was suffocating. Ichiji could feel his soul stirring just being near him. The cold sweat running down his forehead, the sharp rise and fall of his chest, his heart beating like a drum, it felt like his entire body was telling him one thing: run. And then it clicked.

“Is there a problem?” Akagi asked.

“You said your name was Akagi Shinuwa. Are you that Akagi? The Blood Shaman?” Ichiji asked.

“Oh! You know of me?” Akagi asked.

“We heard about you. The Shaman that destroyed his entire sect, before killing hundreds of soldiers in Kawanakajima,” Ichiji said.

“Hmmm…seems like my reputation precedes me. Then you must know my master…Takeda Shingen”

 “You’re lying! There’s no way he’s your master!” Ichiji shouted.

Before the words could fully leave his mouth, screams and shouts filled the night air. Ichiji quickly realised the source of the sounds. The Temple was under attack. He immediately tensed his body, preparing to jump off the mountaintop.

In that instant, his entire body seemed to scream at him. His arms reflexively went to the left side of his body, his guard forming a mere half-second before Akagi’s punch connected with his arms. The impact reverberated throughout his body, causing his legs to shake. Ichiji couldn’t believe it. Such force…in such a young body.

“Good reflexes! I had hoped things wouldn’t end so quickly,” Akagi said, with a smile on his face. Ichiji countered with a kick aimed at Akagi’s midsection. He reacted quickly, jumping away before the kick could connect.

“Sorry to say, but you can’t leave here if you don’t kill me,” Akagi said, after landing. “You want us to fight?” Ichiji asked. “Of course. Beat me and you save your people down there, lose and you die. Simple enough for you?” Akagi asked. “Very simple. If that’s what it takes, then I’ll just need to kill you,” Ichiji responded.

Goosebumps immediately erupted along Akagi’s skin as soon as Ichiji finished speaking. His bloodlust filled the air as it came off him in waves. The night seemed to darken around him as he resolved himself to kill his opponent. 

Akagi’sconfidentt smile turned into a grin. Only one thought surfaced in his mind: he was going to have a lot of fun tonight.

Ichiji put his palms together. Akagi raised his right hand. He put his middle and index finger upright while using his thumb to hold down his other two fingers, forming a small circle with them.

The air between them crackled with tension. The two Shamans knew that only one of them would survive this night.

_    _    _    _

Minutes earlier…

The Main Hall was filled with monks deep in meditation. Their chests rose and fell in sync, flat palms placed on the knees of their crossed legs. In the inner chamber of the Main Hall, the other place reserved for the Leader apart from his personal quarters, Master Gyatso sat alone, thinking of all the monks in the Temple.

His robes scuffed against the stone as he stood up. The candle flames in the room flickered and shifted in the night air. Gyatso walked over to his window, and looked at the night sky. The numerous stars dotted the night sky, each one giving off its own light. In some stories, it was said that every star was its own Kami.

A smile grew on his face.

Gyatso let out a small sigh. He was advanced in age, and anyone could tell that his time in this world was coming to an end. A part of him would miss his friends and helpers here, but another part desired, yearned to leave this world behind. To see the other side. To rest.

“I wonder…are you out there? Master Ryuji. Master Gokujan. Did I do well? Are you proud of me? When…when will I see you again?”

The names and faces of his old masters filled Gyatso’s thoughts. But there was one that he could remember like it was yesterday. That of his predecessor, Master Akemura.

“Master Akemura, I’ve chosen a successor. His name is Ichiji, I’m sure you’ll like him. He can be a bit hotheaded, but he's very kind and caring. The White Order will be safe in his hands.”

In a way, Gyatso saw glimpses of himself in the boy. Maybe that was why he had saved him all those years ago. Maybe it was destiny. Whatever it was, he was sure he had made the right choice on that fateful day.

As he continued thinking, a loud yawn came out of his mouth. Gyatso stretched, it was getting harder nowadays, and smiled even more.

“Seems I have to sleep. Time to go, the…”

Gyatso immediately felt cold. Goosebumps ran across his skin. A chill ran down his spine as he broke into a cold sweat. He turned quickly. Nobody was with him.

But there was no denying it. No denying what he had felt. A bad…no, a terrible presence was somewhere near. Could it be…?

Gyatso’s eyes looked towards the back of the room. In front of him was a small square stone blocking the opening to a tunnel. It was meant to evacuate the Leader of the Order in times of emergency. Had it been compromised? Perhaps by enemies of the White Order?

He quickly decided to ask for help from one of the monks currently in the Hall. Just as the words were about to leave his mouth, the stone shattered in front of him, multiple sharp pieces flying into the air. Gyatso immediately guarded his face, intending to start channeling as soon as possible.

But it was too late. Before he could react, an all-white katana rushed out of the hole, injuring him deeply in his side.

“Y…you,” Gyatso whispered, his body weakening. A tall samurai fully clothed in blood-red armor filled his vision.

“I’m sorry,” Takeda Shingen said.

Gyatso fell to the floor next to Takeda. Behind him, soldiers fully clothed in armor came out of the tunnel.

“Master Gyatso, are you okay? I heard a noise.”

The voice of a young boy was heard by those in the room.

“Na..oya, ru..” Gyatso said.

It was too late. Before he could finish his sentence, Master Gyatso of the White Order was dead.

“Master Gyatso is dead, boy. Men, you know what to do. Go out and slaughter them all! The White Order ends today!” Takeda shouted.

The soldiers shouted in response, rushing out of the room in droves.

The destruction of the White Order has begun.