Age of Strife Book 0: The Path of War

Chapter 13: A Matter of Commitment

Hiryu sitting a room inside the Centura's town hall can hear the mayor trying to contest the Grand Defender's decision but is ultimately told off as the Grand Defender calmly counter-argued his points. Wincing from pain as Kasumi is tending to his wounds and the Mother Supreme watches with a passive smile, Hiryu set off by her demeanor asks "So... Mother Supreme, what brings you out to watch the initiations?" The Mother Supreme chuckles a little before saying "It does seem odd to send a healer and grove tender to a combat tourney initiationdoesn't it? One of the many reasons we're out here is looking for others to join our ranks, those with talent or those who seek a better life... we don't judge the reason too much." Kasumi looking somewhat uncomfortable side-eyes Hiryu and it's evident that what the Mother Supreme says hits personally with her. "Why did you join?" Hiryu asked the Mother Supreme. Giving a long thought the Mother Supreme sighs dreamily as she says "A sense of purpose I suppose. The longest time before I joined I was quite the rabble-rouser, but now... as you can see both age and experience has changed me." Hiryu looks at Kasumi for a moment before asking her the same question. Kasumi looking at Hiryu sees that he is looking for a specific answer, and simply let's out a heavy sigh before answering "I came from a village, far from any proper sense of civilization and close to a particularly isolated valley. Since I was young I had.... a feeling inside, something that caused kids my age and having some adults even fearing me. So my parents for the sake of my well-being sent me off to be part of the Sisters of Verdant, and thus here I am." Kasumi looks at Hiryu with a solemn expression until she hears him ask "Did you leave anyone besides your family behind?" Looking at him, Kasumi saw a yearning for an answer that was burning in his eyes. "Well... one boy. He came from that isolated valley and I saw him whenever I'd wander the outskirts, he was fun to be around and adventurous to boot if I remembered correctly. But, I never got to say goodbye to him before I left." Kasumi answered with bittersweet smile. Hiryu begins remembering when he was younger he would explore the outskirts of the Exiled Valley and would meet a girl with features similar to Kasumi, things like her crimson red eyes, the silver in her hair, and even the way her hair is tied are remarkably similar. He recalled exploring with the girl for a good few years until one-day she didn't come by. After a while he though she didn't like anymore him and just left him out of dislike for him. "Huh... I think that boy would be somewhat understanding of why you suddenly left, if you ever meet him again and told him that is." Hiryu says before wincing again in pain as now his wounds are bound. Kasumi looks at Hiryu and gives a knowing smile before saying "I'm sure he would." "Kasumi, we should get going as the "Grand Defender" would like to speak with the chosen champion for Centura." The Mother Supreme says in an overly sweet tone. "One moment and I'll join you Mother Supreme, I need to make sure the champion is thoroughly treated." Kasumi says. The Mother Supreme gives a curt nod before leaving the room, and before Hiryu realizes it Kasumi is hugging him. "You do remember! You do remember who I am, who we are!" Kasumi says with tears coming out her eyes. Hiryu though in pain from the sudden motion, hugs Kasumi back in turn as he says "It took a while, but what you kept on saying rang a bell in my head a little. I was hazy on it, but now I know who you are... truly." Kasumi breaking the hug and wiping the tears from her face says "I'd love for nothing more but to catch up on what happened in the last few years, but I have-" "Your responsibilities, I know. You're a much higher rank than when I last saw you two years ago and with it comes new obligations, so go join the Mother Supreme and continue on with your life. We'll meet each other again another time now that weknow where we are." Hiryu says with smile and a lighter tone in his voice. Kasumi bites her lips before hugging Hiryu again, and surprisingly kissing him on the cheek. "See you soon, "Hiryu"." Kasumi teasingly says before leaving the room, leaving Hiryu in slight shock at what had happened. Though that shock is broken as the Grand Defender and Centura's Mayor walks in and stand before Hiryu. "So... Hiryu was it, you will be Centura's chosen champion for the 39th Imperial Tournament and you will abide by the tournament's rules along with any requirements that may be demanded. Is that clear?" The Grand Defender says sternly. Hiryu's face hardens a little before saying "Yes, loud and clear." "Good now mayor, I have already taken measures to ensure that your town does get what is promised from this man. So it's a matter of communicating with him that must be sorted by you and how you wish to handle it, I must go as I'm required back at the Capital you take care of yourself. Oh and thank you for the hospitality shown here." The Grand Defender says before leaving. Watching him leave Hiryu and Centura's mayor then look at each other before the mayor says aloud "I did not foresee this outcome. I mean at worst we would have an axe-wielding brute to represent us for the tourney, but an outsider!? How!" Hiryu sits in silence and waits for the mayor to finish his ramblings before saying anything. After a while the mayor finally finishes his rants and ramblings, allowing for Hiryu tostand from his seat and says to the mayor "Tell me what you need me to do." The mayor looks at Hiryu with a look of disbelief for a moment before recognizing the determined look in his eyes and calms down to say "Well because you will be Centura's champion call me Gyrell, and what I need you to do is keep in contact with me regularly. I can't have Centura's champion simply wandering about with no way of contacting him, so... would it be prudent for you to stay here for the next few weeks?" Hiryu looks away in contemplation and thinks for a moment in silence, until he gives his answer "I... don't believe it likely. But I will be near as I just so happen to live nearby, though communicating long-ranged will be fickle." Mayor Gyrell though dejected that Hiryu will not stay takes solemn solitude that Hiryu would at least be near and says "Well, if you are to be near then I ask of you to take this and to keep it on your person." Gyrell gives Hiryu a strip of cloth that long enough to wrap around his arm, smelling a strong odor coming from it Hiryu cannot help but smell it. Taking a few whiffs the best way to describe the smell is that of unburnt charcoal and Hiryu looks confusingly at it, Gyrell taking note of his expression explains "It's a bird marker; it'll allow me and you to send letters to each other by birds used for the local area. Simply whistle like so 'Whistle' and a bird carrier will come to you." Gyrell says as an owl perches nearby. Looking at the owl Hiryu nods talks about other details that may make Mayor Gyrell be at ease, finally after a while Hiryu bids farewell to the mayor as he must return to his seniors. On the way back Hiryu began to think and foresee of the consequences that may have been wrought by his decision, he cannot back away now... even if wanted to as he had already promised to fulfill what he claimed. On the way back to the Ninth School, Ry'ar and Belyak reprimanded Hiryu for involving himself with the Imperial Tournament as a representative for Centura. Though his choice was not approved by his peers or the school, Hiryu still stood by what he decided and cared less for what his two seniors thought currently. The only thing that would hold proper weight in authority would be Grandmaster Kazuma's word, and what his judgement on him would be. As Hiryu, Ry'ar, and Balyek arrive at the schools gates Me-Yun awaiting behind the gates says sternly "What happened?" "Hiryu got involved the Imperial Tournament, and now he's the representing champion of Centura." Ry'ar answered. "To be fair it was not his fault as he was forced on stage by a drunk harassing him, but the judgement still stands that he shouldn't have gotten involved." Belyak adds. Me-Yun looks at Hiryu with contempt as she lets out a frustrated sigh before saying "Hiryu, come with me. Grandmaster Kazuma would like to discuss this matter with you, the two of you gather the other seniors at once. He'd like to discuss the matter with us too." Hiryu follows Me-Yun, looking around the monastery he sees the other disciples staring at him and it's clear they all have mixed feelings on the matter. Walking into the main monastery and approaching a door with a dragon lock, Me-Yun opens the door as it was unlocked and guided Hiryu up a staircase. Reaching the top Kazuma is sitting at a desk with a letter in his hand, seeing Hiryu and Me-Yun's arrival he says "Ah, Hiryu... I've been waiting for you." Hiryu approaches Kazuma and stands a little bit away from the desk before bowing to him in respect. "Grandmaster... I-" Before Hiryu could even explain himself Kazuma raises his hand to silence him. "You've joined the tournament, this I know with this... invitation in hand." Kazuma notions to the letter in his hands before placing it down and saying "You've unintentionally colluded yourself with matters that don't involve us, and now you return bearing the title of Centura's Champion. Tell me, my student... why is it that I should not expel you from my school right this instant?" Hiryu raising his head to look Kazuma in the eye and stands in silent for a moment in thought before saying "Because, then the other Monastics Schools will demand a challenge from another one of the students. Adept, senior... it doesn't matter, so long as they get a combatant for the tournament from the school." Kazuma gives Hiryu a hard stare before relaxing his expression and responds "Quite right... it would be ill-advise to involve anyone that isn't you. Hiryu listen closely and listen well, your punishment is to serve as the Ninth School's Chosen. You brought about this upon us, and so you will rectify it by committing yourself to the tournament... am I clear?" Hiryu silently bows in response. "Good, now I shall not leave without support for the tournament. Though it is your punishment, the tournament is unlike anything you'd face here in the Ninth School as you'll face warriors of various backgrounds. So, Me-Yun and the seniors shall give as much support they can muster to properly prepare you for the tourney. This will be your crucible, and should you succeed... well we'll cross that bridge when it happens." Hiryu only responds "Thank you, Grandmaster." "Now leave me, I must consult with the seniors on what they can do to properly prepare you." Kazuma notions as the Ry'ar and Belyak arrive with the other four seniors in tow. Hiryu once again bowing in respect leaves as Kazuma and the seniors begin discussing plans and priorities.