The Spirit Caller

Prologue

"This battle is finally over, we can now rest easy knowing that we finally have a tomorrow to look forward to", one sensei told his apprentice.

Displeased at the results of war the apprentice responds back to his master, " I see, so this is what war is all about", as he clenches his fists in complete disgust. His master took notice of his young apprentice's behavior and spoke up,"Sakumo, even I am able to realize that something is deeply disturbing you, so please do not try to hide it from me any longer, what has you so troubled right now?"

For a brief moment silence filled the air, then an inexperienced Sakumo firmly expressed his emotions to his master. "Why do people risk their very lives to inflict pain and suffering upon others? Why do we live in a world full of hate where the only solution to solving problems is violence, war, and conquest? Is this what it means to live a life of a samurai?"

Sakumo's sensei, who became irritated with the comments his apprentice expressed to him, turned around and swung his fists at Sakumo's face forcing his apprentice to fall backwards onto the ground. "Do not ever question our beliefs ever again son, we are only merely used as tools for those in whom we govern, we are not out to seek our own purpose in life or to dwell on pointless emotions!!", his sensei told Sakumo, he then faced the other direction disgraced to look at his destined student.

When Sakumo finally got back on his feet his master began to speak once more, however, Sakumo realized he was not solely talking just to his apprentice but also to himself.

"In order to save something dear, wars are waged. As long as love exists, there also will be hate. This curse known as hate will not die while a system of samurai exist, it will only bring birth to more pain. To be a samurai is to confront hatred, however, perhaps as long as a system of samurai exists there may never be true peace."

A short moment later Sakumo responded back to his master's speech, "but how did this all start? When did it all become necessary to protect something dear to us?

His master responded back, "In the name of profit and gain for one's nation, samurai have hated and hurt each other for many years ever since the beginning of time itself. Nations have never been able to trust one another resulting in more hostility, anxiety, and a search for more powerful enhancements, if that is the state of our world we now live in, if that is what it means to be human then there is no future.

He then looks down and examines the palms of his hands, "these new powers we have been able to tap into and put into practice are just as cursed as our world, the more we practice them the less hope this world has left and I am unfortunately not exempted from practicing them myself".

"These powers are cursed?", Sakumo replied back. His sensei shook his head back in acknowledgment, he then proceeded to answer Sakumo's question. "The more powerful a samurai becomes the more greedy and confident their nation will be able to profit from other territories. Once a nation becomes too formidable they will stop at nothing to claim whatever they desire."

Sakumo's concerns dwelled in him even deeper now that his master told him about the curse the whole world is under. He began hyperventilate as he attempted to find any sort of words that would change his master's attitude over the preservation of the world and the good that still can come out of it. "But how about the ancient prophecy that is written on our main halls? Surely a hero will arise and finally fulfill it, giving us the restoration our world desperately needs right now, wouldn't you agree?

His master chuckled for a moment and firmly told his apprentice, "That prophecy is ancient, it does not apply to our world anymore, peace simply does not exist in this world and it never will".

Sakumo once again clenched his fist while tears began to flow down his cheeks as he emotionally expressed his point of view, "well if there is such a thing as hope in this world I will find a warrior worthy enough to fulfill that defiant prophecy". Sakumo then gave his final farewells to his master and ran off into the wilderness never to be seen by again.