Awakening

Chapter 1: Dismissal

Chapter 1: Dismissal

The sun was setting as Councillor Tomomi stood in front of her chamber window, twirling her long black hair as she studied townspeople. Houses were being lit up and the streets were going soon be empty for families to have their supper. Tomomi seemed to be disturbed about the discussion that occurred in the annual council meeting earlier moments ago. The meeting was on a short intermission and a decision had to be made to determine the future of the Kingdom of Zeal.

She closed her eyes and shook her head. I thought the council would have more reason than this! The decision must not go through! It is inhumane and cruel! Who would even consider such an act to be played on own citizens?! She brooded on these thoughts to the point where she started to feel a little dizzy. Tomomi took a seat on her old rocking chair and stared at the ancient artifact that sat at her cupboard table. She still remembered the words that her predecessor told her as she stared deeply at the ancient artifact. Tomomi, you will be the one who will carry this artifact. As my fathers and mothers have done before, it is your duty to oversee the procedures of releasing the blade, if the time comes…  For some reason, she just accepted it blindly without even having a thought of the consequences… not that she had a choice. Her thoughts quickly changed when she took her gaze off and looked at the skies from her window.

The councillor snapped back to reality after being drowned in her own thoughts. “Lady Tomomi.” She heard a knock on the door. “May I please come in?”

She looked at the door in a suspicious manner. “Who is it?”

“Your royal guard, Eric.” Her sullen and sad mood changed for the better when she heard his voice. Tomomi treated Eric almost like a brother, since she knew him since their childhood days.

Tomomi was born of high nobility and was destined to be the next councillor when her father would pass on. Everything was set into stone for her, but that couldn’t be said with Eric. Eric was just an ordinary citizen in the kingdom and had no chance of getting into knighthood, but he was a unique child. He had much talent with the sword and his reflexes were top notch. Every time Tomomi would look outside the castle to see him daily drills, Eric always flashed an eye at Tomomi, which always took her by surprise. She then went to another spot to see him practice, but she knew that Eric was always watching her.

By pure chance, there was a tournament being held which called all of the citizens in the kingdom, in which the winner could be knighted, regardless of status. Everybody went into the castle to see  a major event and to no surprise, Eric participated as well. Tomomi had her eyes on him since day one, and she was very interested to see his actual swordplay in combat.

After many contestants who didn’t seem too interesting to Tomomi, it peeked once again when Eric was finally matched up with someone who had the same status. He waved to the crowd and when he his eyes met with hers, he kneeled down which made her blush a bit. Both fighters got in position, and the battle commenced.

Eric was so talented, that the battle was over before it even started. His opponent charged at him blindly in which he moved to his left side and he hit him in the back of the head with the blunt edge of his sword. The crowd was amazed at the quickness of the battle that he got a standing ovation, and once again, he waved to the crowd and only bowed to Tomomi.

As the battles went on, Eric continued to please the crowd with his agile and unorthodox fighting style. It was a very entertaining day, until he was one of the final contestants in the tournament. It seemed like an unfair match, as his opponent was covered from head to toe and armor, but it didn’t seem to faze Eric. The fighters took their stand and readied themselves.

Once the battle began, the armored knight gave a great slash at Eric which made sparks fly at the ground. Being nimble of his feet, Eric rolled in an arc which exposed the knight’s back. The knight was slow in response due to the heavy armor which gave Eric a glorious opportunity to hit him in the back, but that was the norm. Instead, Eric drew back his sword with both of his hands and slashed at his legs which did protect the knight from any cuts, but the blow was so strong that the knight lost the grip of his sword and tripped over as a result. He then pounced on the weaponless knight and held his sword near his neck.