The Crane Winged Admiral

Admiral Yi, while you seem eager to redeem yourself, I fear the Navy will never recover from its recent engagement. Japan is now master of the sea and he has over hundreds of vessels to assert his will. While your courage to repel such a horde shows exemplary conduct, your actions will only result in a pointless death for you and your men. Therefore, as per my Royal Decree, you are to thoroughly dismantle what remains of your fleet and join our combined armies in the defense of our land.

May your success on land be as successful as on the sea.

King Seonjo of Joseon

Your Majesty, your humble servant still hold 12 ships under his command and as long as he and his men live, the enemy shall never be safe on the sea.

-Admiral Yi Sun-sin

As the anchor plunges to the depths, my vessel rotates hard to starboard ready defend the established perimeter with our lives.

The enemy approaches, the reports recorded over hundreds of vessels of the demons, hungry for another boarding party slaughter.

That must be avoided at all cost!

It is comforting to see them pouring into the Strait of Myeongnyang, clogging it, as if the war is won before the battle has even begun.

My frustration of such arrogance is contained as the cannons of my flagship are quick to remind them that they need to pass through the narrow Strait first.

“Sir!” A junior officer dashes towards me, with growing concern in his eyes. “The rest of the ships have fallen out of formation! We’re too far out!”

My attention is directed towards the flanks of my vessel to see that the other captains have faltered in both speed and spirit.

Teeth clench beneath my closed mouth. Their cowardice will cost us this battle!

“We need to rejoin the fleet! We’re in too deep!”

“Calm yourself! You’re an officer!” My bark stills his nerves. “We hold them here. Hoist the colors and prepare the next volley!”

Hesitation plagues my junior for a moment but remedies himself as he relays my order.

The wind blows with such fury before the rapid flapping of the flagship's flag towers over the vessel. The night sky and the constellations of heaven, proudly sewn, now fearlessly stands tall ready for what is to come.

“Signal the fleet: Form up on our perimeter or suffer the consequences!” I command another and wastes no time signaling our ships with crisp movements flags.

The sound of cannons roaring and arrows loosening work in perfect unison as the enemy charges at us at full speed. The sight of our foes vessels splintering and fracturing into the current is sure to boost the morale of my men, but as the rest of my fleet failed to advanced, I cannot assure our victory.

The order is given, once more, for our rest of our fear ridden ships comply with my command and reinforce our perimeter. Though I’m not surprise that fear and the instinct to survive has gotten the better of the majority of my sailors as well as officers. A crisp and hard exhale from my nostrils comes as I accept the harsh reality that we alone are fated to fight, and eventually be slaughtered by the Japanese horde.

Our only key advantages, aside from the young men's gunnery ability, is our enemy unable to encircle us thanks to the narrow Strait providing us such an advantage. As for the other, it has yet to reveal itself.

Our objective is simple: Survive until the moment presents itself.

But the first wave, although bloodied and battered, still pressed on. And with the current hastening their speed, it will only be a matter of time before they would board the flagship and butcher us all.

Countermeasures must be put in place.

As my arrow loosed from my bow, being lost in the volley, another order is relayed to one of my juniors to prepare for boarding parties, and have the cannons loaded with shrapnel shells. But before he could comply, a shout reaches my ears.

"They're coming! A ship is coming! We're saved!"

I didn't even have time to turn before my peripheral vision catches an enemy ship on the far right being battered by cannon shots that are not from us. The flagship is plagued with euphoria as these young men cheered with glee as only one of our ships have come to reinforce our perimeter.

It seems Lord An Wi has overcome his petrification as he comes to our flank.

“Admiral!” He cries, proudly raising his bow. His will to fight will greatly aid our defense.

"Do you want to be hanged under court martial, Lord An?" My howl holds no reserve on my frustration on his insolence, but now that he's here, he can redeem himself. "Do you want to die by military command? Do you still believe you can live if the enemy presses on?”

My words rekindle his determination and will to fight and stands much taller now.

Satisfied by his answer, no time is wasted on issuing him orders.

“Form up and prepare to fire on my order only!”

“Yes sir!”

Coordination with An Li begins as he holds his fire, waiting for my full barrage to be unleashed.

As the enemy closes in, we stand ready to deliver another devastating blow.

"And fire!" My command is followed by a crisp wave of my hand, signaling An Wi and his vessel to do the same.

The bittersweet hammering of our guns smashed against my ears. Black clouds of smoke linger before vanishing leaving the rich bitter scent spiraling in my nostrils.

As I hoped, the additional firepower and the precise accuracy hammers several vessels, rendering them inoperable. It might have slowed the enemy, but it certainly has not stopped them.

And with the enemy's arquebuses now unleashing endless volleys at us, bypassing our shields, and slowly picking off my men one by one, it’s only a matter of time before the battle is lost.

Even in tatters, they continue to press on.

"More rounds! We need more rounds!"

"We couldn't find any!"

"What are you guys talking about?! We're good to go over here!"

"There's gotta be more below decks, right?"

"Ahh shit... we're screwed, are we?"

Panic. It’s an enemy that now decides to spring out the farthest depths of the men’s spirits. After the disaster of Chilcheollyang, a part of me cannot blame them for the cruel past returning to haunt them. But these survivors must overcome their fear and quick!

If not, we will be defeated without these pirates finding the courage to board us!

The grimace across my face is quickly suppressed before resting a wounded junior behind cover. We expended more of our ammunition than I hoped, and it would not be long before there would be brawls the remainder of our inventory!

Gripping my bow, no time is wasted in marching forward, halting close to the edge and as my arrow finds its target, loosens. A second passes before the wooden railing of the ship splinters and crackles from the enemies guns but I cannot feel that burning ball in any part of my body thankfully.

Whether or not the arrow found its mark matters not, for everyone upon the deck ceases their spiral into pure fear as their attention is directed to me.

“Are any of you not paying attention?!” I roar witnessing all eyes on me. “Though the enemy may boast of his vast fleet, he will not dare board us! Steel yourselves! Engage the enemy with everything you got!”

Those few brief seconds of paralyzed silence weigh heavy within me but is quickly lifted by the men resound cries and instilled wills.

The order is given for a quick inventory count as I stand ready to fully commit to shrapnel rounds. We’ll even fire our oars, our effects, everything we have left from our guns if we must!

"Load the empty cannons with shrapnel shells. All cannons and archers fire on my order only."

With my order relayed, the brows above my eyes fall sharply, likely forming several grim wrinkles to this already leathery visage. This is it. After this shot, another volley or shrapnel rounds might be possible, crippling the boarding parties. But now, our fate is certain. The enemy, though battered, will board, and kills us all.

All we can do now is make the devils pay dearly for this victory.

*

With every haunting whistle of cannon fire, with each devastating blow tearing down the ship’s integrity, with several more gruesome deaths of their comrades, a handful of Ashigaru footmen cannot help but worry if they can still win this? Having the blood and remains of their fellows slapped onto them assure them further that they cannot.

"You have got to be kidding me!" Lord Kurushima Michifusa's frustration is boiling into impatient rage, frightening his lieutenant. "It’s only a handful of ships! Why haven't we boarded these remnant pests?!"

"Joseon's cannons have always been a nightmare, sir!" His subordinate frightfully cries out, flinching from the sharp debris torn off the ship. "They're tearing us apart! My Lord, we need to get out of here while we still can!"

Teeth brutally clench from the enraged Lord, and after a quick glance of his surroundings, his response is with a sharp shake of his head.

"We are caught in between the enemy and the next wave! WE NEED TO BOARD THEM NOW!" Keen eyes underserving of mere men catch wind of the enemy’s flank being vulnerable. Such quarry cannot go unmolested. “Signal Matashi! Board the scum’s left flank at full speed! We’ll have to keep that old pest distracted! Slow our speed and let our gunmen unleash hell!”

The twitch in his retainer does not go suppressed and neither does his protest. “Sir, you just ordered our fleet to mov-“

“We don’t have a choice! A head on assault is doomed to fail!”

“We’ll be bloody target practice for them!”

“We will hold here! Signal Matashi! NOW!”

A quiver of the lip goes unnoticed, thankfully for his retainer before bowing and carrying out his lord's will. That is before he is savagely severed in half by a round of iron and powder. It then ruptures further into the deck, letting timber and innards fly around.

His iron will command has garnered a tolerant result as Matashi closes in on the Joseon remnants. A twisted smile, eager for blood and retribution, curves as Michifusa can eyes his prize. The immovable castle that will soon be conquered.

And the man standing fearlessly among the enemy ranks, stoically glancing, motioning, and directly assisting in the defense, is the reason for this rough start. He is the reason his Lord Hideyoshi has failed to achieve his grand ambitions for a new empire. But this fight is more than just land and glory. This fight is personal.

"I will end you, Yi Sun-Sin..." Michifusa sinisterly growls. "For my brother... may be he at peace... I will avenge him! And believe me, you're death will be a slow one!"

"INCOMING!"

The forces of nature throw Michifusa forward, slamming to his chest, desperately gasping for much needed air. Ignoring the scars and dents of his ornate armor, Michifusa watches in complete disbelief as the bodies of his own vessel slam onto the deck, producing chilling snapping and squashing sounds, leaving many dead and several paralyzed, twitching and wide eyed in fear.

Michifusa sees that Joseon didn’t fire on them as the smoke from their guns have mostly evaporated. But as he frantically turns to find the source, he’s shock to see an ally ship festering with smoke from salvaged cannons.

"What the devil are those idiots doing?! Can't they tell our ships from the enemy?!"

*

My eyes did not miss the enemy flagship coming under unprovoked fire from their flank.

Panic must be spreading through their ranks!

No matter, the perimeter must hold. An assault is futile under these conditions, but with our ammo supply dwindling among our ships, it may be our only option.

“My Lord! The enemy is closing on our left flank! It’s Lord An Wi!”

The strange dialect of a key defector, Toshisuna, is quick to alert me with a finger aimed at an alarming maneuver. Against all odds and logic, the chilling grip in my chest tightens witnessing two decrypted husks of the Japanese board our vessel for the first time!

An Wi and his sailors have not lost heart and they smartly unleash a volley of arrows, sealing the fates of many of our foes. Though it was not long before their decimated boarding party rushes aboard.

“The men aboard that ship won’t last long. Against Yari steel, they’ll be slaughtered!”

No! Not while we still draw breath!

“Hard to port at full speed!” My order rings out. “Prepare arrows and cannon fire and finish off those ships!”

Stand fast, lads! You will not be abandoned!

*

The few who managed to board made quick work of several defenders through the shredding and piercing of their spears before all are thrown over.

“N-no… Not again!” One sailor whimpers, his weapon threatening to slip from his hand. “Not again!”

“Take the ship! Hurry! All aboard!” A desperate cry from an opulent armored samurai is enough to leave even An Wi speechless.

The first bloodthirsty boarder to run at him with his spear aimed for his gut petrifies him. Unlike Chicheolyang, An Wi knows that he will not be able to escape.

The stunned Magistrate could not even register, what can only be fate itself, his timely deliverance from his grizzly demise.

A defiant cry breaks out as a sharp-edge club breaks the head from the body before a strike to the skull crushes splatters blood across An Wi’s terrified face.

The sight of the dead boarder’s crushed red-soaked head produces involuntary squirms and cries from the Captain.

His savior, that of a chiseled chin man with a rough scraggly beard with his armor seeing better days, though his weapon, much like his aura is begging for this brutal brawl.

“Don’t be goin’ all yellow now!” Song Hui-rip bright tone blends with disgust. “Get in the fight or take a swim!”

“You… You dare threaten me?! I will have your head for th- AH!”

A stray arquebus bullet snaps startling  a fleeing An Wi, Song chuckles before turning back to join the fray with the defenders.

“Everyone grow a spine and push ‘em back!” Song howls. “If they take this ship we’re all be sleepin’ with the fishes!!”

His colorful boasts harden their resolves and press onward to drive their foe into the sea.

With Song leading the defenders, the crew races to their broadside, jabbing and knocking the tattered boarders atop the crossing planks into the sea.

The few who did survive the dangerous crossing are rewarded by frenzied assault by Song and his club.

Though it’s not long before his recklessness costs him a sharp stab to his chest. A red haze cloud’s Song’s vision before ferally bludgeoned his attacker. The brains and blood of the man taint the deck before the corpse is thrown overboard.

“Grr… that the best ya got?! C’MON!” Song’s roars barely cut through the screams of chaos. “At least finish what you started, tourists!”

Unintimidated by trembling Yari spears, Song pounces upon the boarders, swinging and breaking their spears with his crimson stained club.

The small foothold is quickly overwhelmed and those who have yet boarded are wavering at such zeal and savagery.

*

“This doesn’t make sense… None of this makes sense…”

Beads of cold sweat form on Matashi’s temples. There is no question that his Ashigaru will take this vessel from Joseon. The skill of the Corean solider is vastly inferior to the skill and seasoning of the Japanese. But the defenders are fanatically holding on, throwing basically the water bucket at them, inspired by that berserker leading the counter charge.

Matashi grinds his teeth, frustrated and anxious by the duration of this raid. “Why won’t they just die?!”

They have to take this ship now! Barking at Arquebus gunmen remaining on board, Matashi orders them to take aim at the men aboard the Joseon vessel, friend and foe be damned.

As he howls the command to fire, Matashi flinches from his helmet sparing him from an incoming arrow. However his men, many of whom gunmen, do not share his fortune. The ominous buzzing of raining arrows savagely pins many to the deck of Matashi’s ship, and those who survived frantically unleashed their single shot before running for cover.

Naturally, he turns towards the source and the sight of the Joseon Flagship, with the wretched Yi Sun-sin at the helm petrifies him.

Those who did not fled overboard plead for orders, but Matashi has none. As he continues murmuring words that no soul can gather.

“We can’t beat him… He cannot be defeated…” His lips curve into a twisted grin before his unhinged chuckling soon erupts into maniacal cackling.

Amidst the carnage and the humiliating turn of events, Matashi is consumed by his grim reality that he doesn’t feel the eruption of motor fire from Yi’s vessel.

*

Song watches in complete awe as the splintered corpse of the enemy ship slips away, crumbling before his eyes. As what few boarders remaining are quickly finished off with archer support, Song watches as the Admiral looks upon them with a stoic steel gaze that sends a shiver even down his spine.

But he quickly recovers when a joyful cry reaches his ears.

“The ship is still ours! YEEEAAAH!”

More howls for victory follow with Song hastily joining in, though deep down, his ego is bruised on not being the one to do the honor of giving the first shout.

However, such bitterness is quickly overshadowed when his spirits are rejuvenated by the rescue of Admiral himself.

“Guess the stories are true after all.” He mutters. “This guy’s the real deal.”

But Yi is quick to rock him out of Song’s dazed awe. “Where is Lord An Wi?”

Song scoffs, “Gettin' cozy in his quarters, Chief! Shame he missed out on all the fun!” He looks around knowing the Admiral will want to know who commands the vessel.

“What’s your name, soldier?”

“It’s Song! Acting commander of the Marine detachment aboard this ship!”

“Well Song, get your crew under control and prepare to fire on my command!”

Song blinks, unsure if he heard Admiral Yi correctly. Did his commander just bless him to commandeer the ship?

His disbelief is easily snuffed out as he eagerly nods, knowing he can do better than his pitiful excuse of a boss. Wincing from the pain in his gut, Song shrugs in off as an annoyance before taking charge.

“Alright funs over, kids! Load those damn guns now! More tourists are coming! LOAD ‘EM!!”

*

Unrefined demeanor aside, Song impresses me with his ability to command the crew. Though I worry for the fresh crimson wound he sustained. I take not of the man before directing my attention back at the enemy squad crumbling in a blazing wreckage.

Three ships incapacitated. That just leaves the rest of the fleet.

It doesn’t take long for guns to be ready and not a moment too soon as the enemy continues to close.

Point blank range for our gunnery.

"Fire now!"

The volley proves to be more devastating than I anticipated, as more ships become tattered and, what I can analyze to be the flagship, is battered yet still afloat. Even the ranks of the enemy's left flank is not spared the carnage.

There is no way two of our vessels can cause this much destruction.

"Look! It's the rest of the fleet!"

"Oh, so NOW they wanna join the party!"

"Well, you guys took your sweet time! C'mon! Plenty for everyone I say!"

The elated cries of my men force me away from the battle to bare witness to a sight truly inspirational: The Central Squadron is sailing towards our defensive perimeter at full speed. Squad Leader Kim could not have come a moment too soon. Thanks to him, our odds have increased.

"You think you're gonna steal all the glory, Admiral? Not if I have anything to say about it!”

First, he disobeys my orders to join the defense, and now he has the audacity to be a glory hound. Were it not for rigorous discipline instilled by my superiors and training, Kim would feel the full wrath of my blade personally.

A clear mind assures me that this buffoon has blessed us with additional numbers and firepower, increasing our odds in the battle. A quick harsh motion of my hand is given, ordering him to form up on our perimeter.

With these numbers, and despite the current flowing the way it is, it is possible our ships can sink maybe three waves, at best, before they board us.

“Sir!” Toshisuna cries with joy. “Sir, look! It’s him! That’s Matashi! He's the general leading the assault!”

My eyes follow the direction of his finger until I see him. A mangled man adorning a red brocade uniform embroidered with flower crests.

My lips pursed in grim satisfaction. “Bring me the body.”

*

To bare witness to their ships crackling and crumbling in the flames is a sight many Samurai and Ashigaru grimly saw many times before.

The hopes of their quick and decisive win, are quickly dashed away by their deep rooted futility to fight against Yi Sun-sin.

Okpo, Sacheon, and even Hansan, all of them serve as reminders that Joseon possesses an unbeatable demon in man’s clothing.

And now, this devil of the sea has been fully unleashed by what he is now displaying atop of his flagship's mast.

"Is that-"

"No! It can't be..." 

It’s a trick it has to be. A dummy! A fake stuffed with straw! It must be! Brilliant men like Yi would of course deceive them like this!

But to the seasoned warriors, they are under no illusions, and what they are seeing turns them white as ghosts.

It’s a sight that makes their limbs tremble in fear even the most hardened warriors: General Matashi, cut to pieces, his scalp, ears, nose, even arms and legs were savagely discarded from the head and torso with the rich crimson blood still leaving the corpse.

Whimpering and even unhinged laughter slowly infects the ranks, with one delusional ashigaru cackling that it is all just a dream.

“I-I mean yeah! It all makes sense! The Kingdom of Joseon, Yi Sun-Sin, it’s all just a bad dream!” He gazes out at the ships, thirteen in total, and giggles. “Yeah, of course! That’s what it is! There’s no way the real world is this crazy! Hahaha! It’s all just a crazy dream! I-I just need close my eyes… and when I wake up, none of this will have ever happen!”

Many of the men begin to believe him, that they were all trapped in the same twisted nightmare and that they must wake up. Whatever it takes.

Michufusa and his samurai could do little to keep their rank and file from descending into madness as they can watch in horror with heads slamming into the decks, leaping overboard, or even running into nearby flames before flailing about.

And Michifusa can only watch.

But his paralysis shatters when his ship violently shifts. The sudden turn is so powerful and quick that not even skilled oarsmen could even execute.

No. This is something else.

It’s only when the ship begins spiraling and away from the enemy when Michifusa realizes what has happened: The current has shifted.

“Impossible…”

But as he watches as another ally ship whirling toward him, Michifusa braces for impact. Something many in his crew fail to follow.

*

"Look! The enemy is... are they actually retreating?!"

The disorderly shift in the enemy formations points to an unmistakable fact: the enemy is wavering. Lukewarm thrill fills my hearts seeing our foe becoming more entangled in their own confusion to the point that the secrets the current holds might not have been necessary to our battle.

"Woah what the-"

"Hold onto something!"

"The current... did it... did it change course or is it just me?!"

The sharp shift of gravity thrown at me is reinforced with a sailor plunging into me. Toshisuna quickly aids me to my feet and after helping the young man to his, disregarding his frantic apologies, it is clear what has happened.

The tide has shifted, and the result is clear.

The routing ships of our enemy begin to capsize into the strong current and collisions quickly become common and devastating. The creaking and snapping of wood reaches my ears making my skin prickle at such monstrous sounds.

It is chaos incarnate.

Only the flagship, a mutilated husk of it's former self, refuses to sink to the depths.

As our composure and balance fully recovers, my eyes take a quick count of the ships in our perimeter. All ships present and account for.

The time is now!

Seizing the mallet from the dazed drummer, the drum roars from my smite with such ferocity that I fear my order has been drowned out.

"Full speed ahead! Ram them while the momentum favors us!"

Relief soothes my soul seeing everyone complying with my command.

The sudden rush coursing through me rejuvenates my spirit with the adrenaline and thrill only a young lad once held. The beating of the drum picks up speed, which serves to quicken the fleet’s momentum. Many of my juniors cried out to brace for impact. Many react soundly without missing a beat as our vessel shatters the first unlucky hulking mess sending wood and frightened men flying.

My arm rises to shield me from incoming splinters and broken timber, faltering the beat of the drum, but never ceasing. And the rhythm rises once again, growing louder, more furious, as we ram into the next devilish horde.

It's not long before my men begin to contribute to the enemy’s destruction with an endless swarm of fire and arrows.

The flagship has been spotted and no order must be given to pierce its vulnerable belly. However, the sight of a dangerously sizable force still alive presents an immediate danger! It's too late to slow the ship or change course, so the only course of action becomes clear.

Smashing the mallet back into the drummer's chest, my bow readies its arrow as my quick order howls, "Fire everything on the flagship!"

Several juniors and young men follow suit as we ready our bows and our motors. My aim adjusts to as the distance dangerously closes.

It is now or never!

"Now!"

The smooth flick of arrows bouncing off their strings never ceases to satisfy. The volley of arrows casts a small but intense dark cloud over the heavens before swarming onto the deck of the enemy. Many found their mark, dropping and paralyzing many before succumbing to the wrath of the righteous. The thunderous roar from our cannons spews huge bouts of black smoke, forbidding me to witness the result from our attack for the moment.

When our arrows ceased and the smoke clears, only a mangled shadow of a husk remains. The structure bursts out balls of flame with maligned parts of our foe twirling in all directions.

 I can see only a few stragglers remain, broken as the will to fight forsakes them, leaving them to desperately leap into the depths. If only they knew they would be crushed or drown to the merciless strait.

Only one man, another enemy commander I presume, remains aboard the deck.

*

Michifusa, even with his armor failing to protect his flesh from the swarm of arrows, refuses to fall. With the aid of his katana, his knees break his collapse, though it does little to stop the rich overflowing taste in his mouth before letting it flow from his chin.

His blood boils, succumbing to the red rage that sustains his will to live, as he gazes out at the ruin around him. With the flames with the scorching heat smiting his skin, the dead, limbs and grotesque innards tainting the deck, the screams of the desperate and the moans of the dying, Michifusa has never felt this much disgrace throughout his life.

And this was all done by mere remnants of a defunct navy of a dead nation! Yet he, the man who refuses him to fight as a true warrior, who cowers behind the protection of cannons and safe distances, continues to lead this lost cause against the grand inevitable! A true coward that refuses to die!

And that is why Yi Sun-sin will die a thousand times over in the most punishable actions known and unknown to the red-hazed Michifusa.

And once he is done, once his is maligned and carved beyond comprehension, Michifusa will soon deliver the same wrath beyond these shores, raze every village, ravage every innocence, exterminate every vermin!

And it all begins with him! Yi Sun-sin!

He can see him. He has his prey in his sights. The chance to claim his head becomes all too enticing. A manic chuckle rumbles as he rises to his feet, ready to, at long last, fight and prevail over these vermin!

"Your castle... is mine... I will conquer it... Your castle of the sea!" His smile grows as his castle rushes to him as if to embrace its new lord. "Watch me... watch me... watch me! Everything... will... be... mine! GEEAAAARRRGHH!"

His siege ends in his demise.

*

The ramming power of our vessel delivered the final blow to the flagship as we pressed onward, slamming through the remnants.

As the tides shift and our speed falters, our fleet sails through the devastation of our own doing.

The aftermath of our charge drains what thrilling rush that coursed through me and forces me to watch something that mirrors the work of the devils. The strait is polluted by the sickening crimson red oozing from the severed bodies of the monsters.

Even in death, they still taint everything they touch!

A vast tangled web of fractured timber kindles the roaring fires that are slowly disintegrating their structure.

The carnage, one that would leave a man sick to his core, can quickly steel oneself with grim determination to fight on and surpass the brutal work he's already completed.

A lesson my sailors have excelled in. The battle christening them anew. No more would they be cowering, wishing to flee and live, they would see this through until the scum is scraped from our home!

Even if it comes at the cost of their lives.

A lesson I too will take to heart and more.

Preparations for the second wave must be taken with the precious time given to us.

No time is wasted as the order is sent out to form up and ready our cannons. Our surroundings are still narrow enough, still snuffing out the chance for these pirates to encircle us. But with our supplies as it is. The losses are sure to be greater.

Much greater.

It doesn't matter now. We must hold out until the current blesses us with the momentum in the meantime.

Even if it comes at a great cost.

"They're turning around!" An elated wail captures my attention as my eyes turn to see one of the young men gleefully pointing out at the enemy formation. "YEEEAAAAH!"

"They're retreating! They're actually running!"

"Wait... we- that means we won right? There's no way we won just like that?"

Their cries do not deceive me. The vast ranks of the enemy are slowly but desperately turning back. It’s only when the last of their ships have funnel out of the Strait is when it is safe for us to withdraw.

"Signal the fleet: Prepare to return to port and resupply." My order comes as the much-needed cheers of joy and relief ring out across the ship, contagiously spreading to the others.

It is a victory well-deserved for these young men.

As the sky bruises to its darker shades of violet, my eyes flutter, and a soft gush of air seeps through my nostrils, as I long to treasure the aftermath. For I fear the retaliation from our enemy will be brutal and, dare I think, irrational.

“Dare I say, sir,” Toshisuna’s voice pulls me away from such horrid thoughts. “What you’ve accomplished… it is nothing short of pure genius!”

I cannot help chuckle, feeling out of place by such praise. “Have a seat.” I rest my hand on the side of the step next to me.

Toshisuna accepts not saying a word.

I decide to stir the conversation further. “It is a much needed one. After Chilcheoyang, these young men lost their will to fight. What we accomplished here will restore their spirits.”

A laugh from Toshisuna follows. “Is it too strange for you to accept praise, sir?”

I cannot help but laugh along. “It has always been awkward. Dare I say it can be a little unsettling.”

“Oh?”

“Once we return to Headquarters, and should I be free from my duties, I’ll tell you when my senior blessed me my first compliment.” I couldn’t help but grin at the memory. “It truly felt out of place.”

Not hearing any amusement from Tushisuna, I’m quick to see a disheartened frown he wears on his face. I did not have to wait long for him to explain what troubles him.

“Would you prefer your king not reward you a prize?” He asks bitterly. “Or the court to sweep you under the rug like many times before?”

I stiffen growling, “You are out of line.”

“And they’re not?” He scoffs. “They are permitted to lie, cheat, and shame you every chance they get? For what? A cushy retirement? How long will it take before the King strips you from your station and cast you back in prison? Or worse? Will they ever open their eyes and see that you’re the only reason Joseon still lives?”

“Quiet!” I hiss. “Not another word!”

Toshisuna flinches and after pursing his lips does not let another word run free.

“Leave me.”

Aware that it is a direct order, Toshisuna emerges to his feet and marches away.

A heavy exhale flees my nostrils, calming my nerves. There is no need to dread on the past. It has always been a pointless endeavor.

Right now, all I desire is to merely savior this tranquility.

"Admiral. I have the after-action report, sir."

My nose twitches irritated that the solitude is cut short. Though my Junior's gleeful grin diminishes my frustration.

"Go ahead."

He is quick to relay how we fare in battle.

"The enemy has lost dozens of ships. We estimate over 30, sir."

Only over 30. That is hardly a dent in their fleet. But it is reassuring our actions bought us much needed time.

The young man's expression grimaces before continuing. "We've suffered a few losses, yet all of our ships remain intact and fully operational."

Yi’s stoic countenance remains firm. "And what of our supplies?"

"They have dwindled, sir. Though the situation is not critical."

A curt nod serves as my answer seeing that the aftermath is acceptable.

"See to it that every ounce of our inventory is fully stocked as soon as we dock." My lips purse as my heart sinks. "And have our dead be identified and see they're families are properly compensated and escorted safely to our base."

My order stuns the young man, but he's quick enough to respond.

"Sir!"

My junior makes himself scarce after executing a curt bow.

With this peaceful moment reclaimed, my legs slowly stagger downward before I am rewarded with respite. It’s only when my feet rest atop the step below is when my spirit feels tired yet fulfilled.

Dusk would soon fade to night, but there will always be the few impatient stars ready to shine down upon, almost as if they are competing for our attention.

Though, now that I gaze upon them, glimmering with such beauty, their early presence serves to assure us that they are watching over us.

My smile grows, discovering the bittersweet hope and inspiration from the lone cosmos. Though scattered across the now fathomless void, their light refuses to be snuffed out.

It’s not long before more of their brethren courageously lit their own torches and the vast sea of constellations glittered the night.

My thoughts recall what Toshisuna claims what we have achieved, that it was nothing short of pure genius.

"No." I dare not turn away from cosmos. “It is only by the grace of heaven that we have prevailed.”

"Hey, Chief!" Song's Brash voice rattles my gaze away from the heavens as he jubilantly jabs his finger ahead. "Better brace yourself! Got quite the fanclub wanting our autograph!"

Puzzled by what he means, all became clear when our home port is clogged with the refugees mad with elation. All while displaying food, clothes and other generous bounties that I has me at a loss for words.

"Welcome back, Admiral! Welcome back, Admiral! Welcome back, Admiral!"

Their jubilant chant is making my heart overflowing with awe and joy at such kindness. After all these people endured at the hands of the demons, to never give up hope, to never lose faith in us, or our righteous fight, it serves as the soothing remedy to the weary soul.

Though I dare not permit a single tear to slither down my face by such benevolence as it is truly unbecoming of an officer.

I would not dare… Would not dare…

*

"It may be proper to compare me to Horatio Nelson, but not Yi Sun-sin for he has no equal."

-Togo Heihachiro Commander-In-Chief of the Imperial Japanese Combined Fleet