Warrior

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"What happened to me? Why did I collapse after the battle?"

"You parried my father's 7th sword art form, Musou no Hitotachi. Nobody has ever done that except you. But the 7th form is too strong; even if you parried it, you will suffer from aftereffects. That is what happened to you," Ei explained.

 "I see..."

"So, how do you feel now?"

"Still in one piece."

"How did you do that? How did you parry my father's attack?" Ei asked, her eyes filled with curiosity.

"Well, I don't know exactly what happened, but I felt time start to flow slowly around me. Before I knew it, it was over," I replied. But it seemed like she wasn't satisfied with my answer. After a few moments, she sighed.

"So, you don't know either. Okay then," she said, starting to look around my room. She walked towards my table and began to observe the blueprints laid out on it.

"When you were unconscious, I looked around your room, but I didn't touch anything. Now that you're awake, can you please tell me what this is?" She pointed to a blueprint that I had been drawing a few days ago.

 Now that you're awake, can you please tell me what this is?" She pointed to a blueprint that I had been drawing a few days ago

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I walked towards her and took the blueprint. "Just ignore it, it's a waste of time. Just a stupid drawing of mine," I said dismissively.

"It's just a concept I've been playing around with," I replied, feeling a bit flustered under her curious gaze. "Nothing too important, really."

"It's a prototype, a weapon simply put. I call it the 'Kamuijima Cannon' - (God's Island Demolishing Cannon)," I explained. "It uses electro energy to shoot. You don't need a cannonball and gunpowder to fire it. You fuse it with electro energy and it will charge up. When it reaches its limit, it will fire pure electro element. It's hard to use without an electro vision user, but it will be a thousand times more powerful than a normal cannon."

"Well, that was a simple explanation, but it will be easier to understand," Ei didn't say a word, but after a few moments, she spoke up.

"Did you tell anyone about this? Anyone besides me?" Ei asked, her expression serious.

"No, it's just one of my stupid blueprints. So, I didn't tell anyone about this," I replied, trying to reassure her.

"These are insane, I mean... these are highly detailed. Just look at all the blueprints. How do you come up with all of these ideas?" Ei marvelled, examining the intricate details of the blueprints.

"I just think differently, that's all," I replied modestly.

"Just who are you, actually?" Ei asked, her curiosity intensifying.

"I don't know either. I've lost all of my memories," I admitted, feeling a pang of sadness at the reminder.

A few moments of silence passed before it was broken by the sound of someone approaching. It was my mom and Ei's sister, Makoto, I guessed. She bowed to me. My mom let out a sigh and said, "Glad you are okay. Is your head or anywhere else hurting?"

"No, I'm fine. Where is Father and Uncle?" I inquired, noticing their absence.

"Those two idiots, they're in the banquet hall, drinking," my mom replied with a hint of exasperation.

She looked at me and Ei, smiling softly. "Looks like you both became friends so fast," she remarked, a warm tone in her voice.

"Think so?" I replied, sharing a glance with Ei, feeling a sense of camaraderie already forming between us.

"We're just sharing some words," Ei added, nodding in agreement.

"Well, it's a good thing to share some words before marriage," Makoto said, barely holding back a laugh.

"Hold on, what did she say, marriage?" I asked, startled. I looked at Ei, but she looked away, avoiding my gaze. Then, I turned to my mother, who closed her eyes and began to rub her forehead, a sign of her discomfort with the topic.

"There is something you might want to know, Shahasra," Mother said, her tone serious, indicating that there was more to the situation than I had realized.

*********

"Huh... an arranged marriage with her? What the hell is going on?" I exclaimed, my mind reeling with the sudden revelation. I understood the context she explained, and I even recognized the purpose of the duel, but the idea of an arranged marriage was outrageous to me, especially without any prior discussion or consent.

"I know this might upset you, but this is not just about you. This is about the future of Inazuma. This is about the future of the Raiden clan," Shinano replied solemnly, her words carrying the weight of responsibility and tradition.

I sighed and looked at Ei and Makoto. "What about you two, are you guys agreed with this?" I asked, hoping for some understanding or perspective from them.

"As you know, my health is not good, so I'm out of this. It's all about Ei and you," Makoto replied with a somber tone. Ei remained silent, adding to the weight of the situation. I felt overwhelmed. At just 10 years old, they were deciding my future without any consideration for my feelings or desires.

"Can all of you please leave my room? I need some time alone to think," I requested, my voice betraying a mix of frustration and desperation.

Others left, and Ei looked at me, saying, "I'm sorry," before leaving as well. I sighed deeply and sank into my chair. I needed time to process everything that had just happened. Maybe I would lose myself in deep thinking. However, soon after, I heard someone knocking on the door.

"Who is it?" I called out, wondering who could be interrupting my solitude at such a moment.

"It's me, Ei. I need to talk with you."

I hesitated for a moment before responding, "Alright, come in, Ei."

Ei entered the room, her expression uncertain as she approached me. 

"I know what my father is doing is absurd. You don't need to agree with it. But I need your help with something," Ei said, her tone earnest.

"Sure, what is it?" I responded, willing to listen to her request despite the turmoil of emotions swirling inside me.

She looked directly into my eyes. "Shahasra, please help me. I need to get stronger. I want to become stronger. I know I can't surpass you, Father, and Uncle, but I need to try. Help me. I'm begging you," she pleaded, bowing before me.

"Hey, raise your head. There's no need to bow. I will help you," I said, gently lifting her chin so she met my gaze. "But what will happen to Makoto? Becoming stronger can't save her from her destiny."

"I know. But... I'm not a ruler. I'm just a warrior," Ei replied, her voice tinged with a sense of resignation.




 

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