TruthWielders: Season 1

Episode 8: The story of the shinai-wielding Shikoku! A tragic tale!

--Intro--

"Episode eight: The story of the shinai-wielding Shikoku! A tragic tale!"

Under the canopy of a starry night, young Shikoku, barely six years old, stood in the quiet courtyard of the coastal town's kendo dojo. The rhythmic cadence of crashing ocean waves provided a calming soundtrack to his evening practice.

Hidden in the shadows, Shikoku's sensei, a seasoned kendo master, observed his dedicated student. The elderly mentor had witnessed countless students pass through his dojo, but there was something extraordinary about this boy.

With unwavering focus, Shikoku wielded his wooden shinai, an extension of his very being. Every strike was executed with precision and grace, displaying a discipline beyond his tender age.

Then, in an astonishing turn of events, the ordinary night transformed into something magical. A brilliant beam of light erupted from the tip of Shikoku's shinai, shooting skyward like a meteor streaking across the cosmos. It was a sight to behold, as if the shinai and Shikoku himself had formed an enchanting connection.

In the span of a heartbeat, the young boy and his shinai seemed to vanish from their current location, leaving only a trail of bewildering light in their wake.

Sensei's astonishment was palpable as he witnessed this phenomenon. "By the three Gods..." he muttered in amazement.

Shikoku, who had experienced the sudden teleportation firsthand, reappeared in a different corner of the courtyard. He stumbled and nearly lost his balance, landing on his backside with a thud.

Wide-eyed and bewildered, Shikoku's voice trembled as he uttered, "Wh-what just happened?"

His sensei approached, wearing a bemused smile. "Young Shikoku, it appears you've embarked on a journey into the realm of magic."

As Shikoku and his sensei made their way back from their evening training, the dojo was bathed in the gentle glow of the deep moonlight. Their footsteps echoed in harmony as they shared stories and laughter, a harmonious cadence of master and student.

But as they neared their hometown, the tranquility was shattered by a horrifying scene. A malevolent gang, driven by a relentless pursuit of Magion and his secrets, had descended upon their peaceful village. The sensei's keen instincts sensed danger, and they quickened their pace.

And then, the chilling reality unfolded before them. Shikoku and his sensei reached the village square just in time to witness a gruesome tableau of violence. Families lay sprawled on the ground, their lifeless eyes staring vacantly into the void. The gang was leaving, their dark mission accomplished, but their eyes locked onto the sensei and Shikoku.

In that heart-wrenching moment, Shikoku's grip on his shinai had failed as it dropped, breaking the silence. His world crumbled as he recognized his own parents among the fallen. The very ground upon which he had grown, the familiar faces he had cherished, were now forever lost to him.

With tears blurring his vision, Shikoku picked up his beloved shinai, the symbol of his unwavering spirit, and the two fled the village. The sailboat, tethered nearby, became their escape vessel. The sensei, a stalwart guardian, steered them towards the only refuge they knew, The Empire, a place where they hoped to find solace and answers amid the chaos that had consumed their lives...if they manage to find it.

As they journeyed through the vast expanse of the sea, Shikoku and his sensei faced not only the challenges of the open waters but also the haunting memories of that fateful night. The tragic events in their hometown, where families were ruthlessly targeted in the hunt for Magion, had left an indelible scar on both of their hearts.