Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 1: A Day Worth Remembering

Silence... Serenity... Peace... These are things that are synonymous with harmony and by the gods is it boring to someone of teenage years. Hiryu an Exile from Clan Ryuuzaki no less old than seventeen is currently climbing up a tree in hopes to see something different in the Exiled Valley, as soon as he reaches the top to his feign surprise nothing is different from the view he sees a mountainous valley with misty clouds above a tree line below with birds flying in and out of the valley. In fact it's been the same since he was able to climb trees at age six. Still the sight Hiryu sees is both beautiful and somewhat comforting that there still more to explore beyond his home and territory. "Son!" a woman's voice calls out. "Son, where are you?" Hiryu looks at the direction where the voice comes from and it's from his home. His mother Fuku Ryuuzaki is calling for him and has just walked outside to see her eldest son atop a tree like a primate looking for a treat. "Son, what are you doing up there? Get down before something foolish happens!" Fuku called out. Hiryu let out a light chuckle before descending down with ease and landing with flair. Fuku with a small foldable fan lightly smacks Hiryu on the head before reprimanding him "Child, do you know how dangerous it is for you climb a tree at this height? If you weren't careful you would have slipped and fallen from even greater height! And- and- Ugh! Goodness just never do that again you hear me?" Hiryu half listens as he's been through this talk all too many times but still comforts his mother "I swear mother, that I would not do something so reckless and foolish again." With a huff Fuku seemingly accepts the response though doubt lingers in her eyes, after calming down she says "Now... Son, come with me we have to greet our guests. They should be arriving soon." Hiryu rolls his eyes as his mother turns to lead him, these guests are to be other Exiled Clans gathering and they are likely to be talking about the same trivial topics such as "How we should get back at those Imperial Dogs" or "How our families were wronged" or his favorite "How we should unite our clans for true strength". To Hiryu he's heard these conversations all too many times and has seen them either go nowhere or fail. Still as a formality to his kinsmen he would hold his reservations on these topics and simply let them air there grievances. Soon Hiryu would arrive with his mother to the main hall of their home, where his younger siblings respectively brother Arata and his sister Asuka are stiffly waiting alongside their father Junichi. "Boy, where have you been? Our guests are bound to arrive soon and you are not properly dressed to greet them." Junichi says sternly. Hiryu thinking for a moment to figure out what to tell is father is interrupted by Fuku as she says "He was ensuring that the grounds are safe, so that our guests would have little trouble with the animals should something happen." She looks at Hiryu with a smile that is almost too sweet, taking this as a sign he responds as such "Yes father, I was making sure that everything was safe for everyone's arrival and... uh... must have... lost track of the time." Trying his best to give a confident smile Junichi looks at him sternly before saying "Very well, but clean yourself up. You look dirty, Arata bring your brother to the washroom quickly so that he knows where to clean." Arata nods as he motions Hiryu to follow him quickly. Walking to the washroom at a quick stride they arrive and Hiryu grabs a bucket and clean cloth to begin wiping the grime and dirt off of him. "You were looking over the valley again weren't you Hiryu?" Arata asked. Hiryu cleaning himself off responds "Yeah and the valley still looks the same as always." Arata gives a tired sigh before saying "Why do you insist on trying to leave the valley, mother and father wouldn't let you even if you were of age. Besides you've responsibilities as eldest to succeed father and become patriarch." "I understand but this is just absurd that we are confined to the valley only, Arata do you really want to be stuck here for the rest of your life?" Hiryu retorts. "No but we don't exactly have much a choice Hiryu, you know why we are confided here because - ""We are here by choice of our ancestors and in spite of the Empire"" Hiryu and Arata say in unison. Hiryu finished cleaning himself off grime says to Arata "You forget, little brother I too have been told the story of our kin." Arata looking tired from the discussion only gives Hiryu a glance over. "You look clean enough lets hurry."Arata sheepishly says before turning to leave. Returning back to the main hall Hiryu sees that Junichi and Fuku are opening the door and are greeting their guests. Standing in line with his siblings they prepare to give a formal greeting and welcome to the arrivals. A swarm of well-dressed enough exiles enter through being greeted by both Junichi and Fuku along with Hiryu, Arata, and Asuka. They gather around the hall each of them giving their greetings and all sorts of pleasantries before Junichi standing elevated above the crowd calls out and says "Welcome, honored guests. It is good to see you all well and good given the current predicament, please make yourselves comfortable within these halls as we have prepared for your stay." Soon a dozen servants have entered the main hall each of them respectively taking a variety number of exiles to their guest rooms for the night. As soon as the hall clears Junichi steps down from the small mobile stage to speak with Fuku. In a hushed tone they speak of something that Hiryu could barely make out from the distance but could careless as formalities are finished. Immediately relaxing his posture he goes to leave but is stopped by Junichi as he says "Boy, where are you going?" Hiryu with a polite tone and manner tell Junichi "I'm going to my room to prepare for later tonight father." Junichi discerningly looks at Hiryu before saying "Dress well, I wish for you to make a good impression still." Hiryu bows before leaving as he walks to his room he hears the conversations from the other exiled clans. How they are excited to be among peers once more and how they hope to make an impression on Junichi to be given more opportunities, but one conversation Hiryu overheard briefly was how the Human Empire was at war with the south. Though intrigued he still makes his way to his room to avoid causing trouble with the clans. Dusk has settled, and Hiryu now dressed more formally enters a large dining hall where all the clans are sitting at respective section of the hall. Banter and conversation fills the hall as merriment is in the air, finding his family Hiryu sits beside his father who look at him with approval. "Much better, perhaps today you would find your bride to be just yet." Junichi says in light jest. "That won't I fear that won't happen today father." Hiryu responded with slight jest. Listening to the various conversations going on Hiryu heard the typical topics he had come to expect as always, but again he hears about the Empire's war with the Southern Lands again. This time there were more details of how the war has been going on for five years, and how the empire has been on the defensive for some time. Before Hiryu could listen for more information Junichi standing up raises a glass and calls for everyone's attention before saying "Fellow exiles, I am honored once again to be hosting this gathering of our people. For as long as our families existed we have been spurned by the empire and have only to rely on ourselves. Our kin though no longer the same still continues on with each generation passing and our family names are not totally forgotten. So a toast for us all! We stand in defiance of the empire, and in honor of our ancestors!" Letting out a cheering toast Junichi drinks from his glass and so too everyone to lets out a cheering toast before drinking too. "Now unto matters that we've all come here for, let us discuss and air grievances." Junichi says before sitting down in attention for a topic that would come toward him. The first exile leader to take reigns of discussion tell tale of how this year has been rather fruitful with conversations with select traders from outside the valley, another leader went on about how their warriors are the finest this generations, and another went on how their hunting technique has improved. Hiryu uninterested with these discussions tune these out of mind, and contemplated on his position in life. Is this the life he would lead when gets as old as his father? Listening to his kinsmen boast and claim pride for things that mean very little outside this valley? What a tedious life then it be to live that way for a majority of one's life, only to know the valley and nothing else. "Perhaps we should address the Empire's war with the Southern Border. It has been rather intensive if the rumors and news are to be believed." Hiryu's attention perks as he hears about the war again, this time he would have his curiosity satisfied if he would have his way. "Should we? The Empire's dogs are fighting an adversity they deemed a threat to their borders, why should it concern us immediately?" "Perhaps we can take notes on how the empire falls, so that we can celebrate its downfall!" The voices of the various exiled leaders begin to blend in with each other as they seem to be reveling in the Empire's plight, but Hiryu in frustration yells out "SILENCE! I wish to hear more!" The room is silenced as Hiryu's voice is heard throughout before motioning to the exiled leader to continue. "Well young lord, the empire wages a war with the southern lands of the continent due to a territorial dispute. You see to put it simply the Beast-Kin are attempting to invade the Empire's territories and possibly usurp the land for what it's worth. However thus far the empire has holdfast even in the fifth year in, but who knows how long they are to last without allies." The exile lord answered briefly. "Do not concern yourself with the Empire's plight son. This was in the making for some time now, should they fall it would be of benefit to us all." Junichi says. "How father? The way it sounds is if the empire falls our fate is uncertain. The valley and everything we've build up, it sounds like we'd be exposed to harsher adversaries." Hiryu say melancholy. "Listen well boy, the empire has spurned us and you would concern yourself with their politics? You forget that you are not one of them, you are an exile too. Much like the rest of us here." Junichi patiently retorts. "Father I disagree with that notion, though we are not of the empire's people to command we are still to some degree their subjects. The valley could've been invaded many times over if our history is correct and yet we still stand. Why would they not invade the valley if we are not their subjects?" Hiryu counters as he stands up. Junichi standing to face Hiryu speaks in a low stern tone "Boy... you ask dangerous questions. Since when have you ever cared for their plights before? You would care more for those Imperial dogs who have casted us out more than your own kin?" "It's a question I raise now because we've skirmished with them before and yet we still stand. Why, and what would happen to us if the empire were to fall?" Hiryu intently questions. Junichi looks at Hiryu with much frustration lets go of it for a moment, and says "Child, if you truly seek that answer then you will have to fight for it." The other exiled leaders begin to clear the center of the hall as Junichi walks to one side of the room. Fuku tries to converse with him but Junichi simply notions her to sit back down, whereas Hiryu walks to the other where a servant greets him with a dull sword in hand presenting it to him. "If you win the answer will be yours, but if you lose then you shall not speak of this again." Junichi says while taking the dull sword from a servant by him. "A day worth remembering then, those answers will be mine." Hiryu responds while assuming a battle stance. "Only if you win this duel child." Junichi retorts.