The majestic X-You Mountain towers above all mountain peaks in the bordering forest of Kokoro Island, its rugged peak shrouded in a veil of mist. Moreover, the sun's rays dance across its slopes, casting a warm, golden light upon the lush greenery that clings to its sides. Furthermore, ancient trees, their gnarled branches twisted by the whims of time, stand sentinel along the winding path that snakes its way up the mountain.
A group of men, clad in red samurai armor and masks, march up the mountain, their voices rise in a rousing chant, to motivate themselves.
Despite the Kurenai village mortals' 20-battle winning streak under Miyato Kumushi's leadership, doubts linger. However, this uncertainty fuels the newbies' determination, and they climb the mountain with vigor in their eyes.
They are heading into war, where some might not return, yet they march forward with enthusiasm, as if eager to reunite with a loved one.
Their energy is infectious; Miyato, the 36-year-old leader, can't help but gaze at them in awe. Even he, a seasoned warrior with nearly 20 years of experience in this harsh forest, has never felt such enthusiasm before battle.
'Maybe it is because of the kindness of that female Tama-Artist who decided to give us food, new clothes and armor.'
The man laughs to himself. It's such an odd thing to happen: they received clothes occasionally —twice a year—, but they were all second hand, and only one pair. This time, however, they got ten new pairs each.
—The hearts of people are different, and not all Tama-Artists are wicked: it's the weak ones among them who like to give us trouble.
Miyato sighs again, deciding to call the newbies closer. In the past, he would have punished them for not conforming, but this group is different.
"Everyone! Let's take our last stop! We need to conserve our strength for the upcoming battle."
As everyone takes a water break and ate their porridge, Lucy wanders off to train, inciting Miyato to sigh once more.
As the veteran looks at Lucien, Shinji comes next to him, holding a bowl of porridge. Secretly, in a place hidden from everyone a pink-wind-like-spirit moves to a diamond, rose shaped jewel. While this happens, a white liquid escapes the young man's hand, going into the porridge.
After a few seconds, Shinji walks next to him, presenting a bow, "Please eat something, you're our hope of winning; the young ones are looking forward to seeing the so-called mortal 'Sword Saint' in action."
Hearing the sentimental words, Miyato can't refuse the offer. Taking a few spoons, he strikes a conversation with the young scholar who doesn't have armor on him.
"He is impressive, isn't he?"
Shinji nods earnestly.
"There is no one dedicated than him. He is a monster."
Miyato chuckles lightly at those words, finding them amusing.
"If he is monster, what about you?," before Shinji can say a thing, the man adds, "You're always slacking off during training, yet you don't miss. I've seen you throw rocks at birds, what was it again? You took down 12 in a single throw. If Lucy-san is a monster of effort..."
The one in the white scholar robes waits patiently for the Sword Saint to finish.
"...then you're a monster of talent."
'Talent?!'
—If only it was for something else.
Finding the issue amusing, Shinji crosses his arms, and he sways his expressionless face to the side.
"I've been using all types of throwing weapons since I was separated from my brother; that's about the time I started running too. With a weak body like mine, I had to start earlier than others. Also, there is a fact that I'm extremely lucky."
'Weak body?'
Miyato ponders the words —Shinji doesn't look sick to anyone. After a second, he lets the issue go, since it sounds sensitive.
Suddenly, the man with a missing right eye takes out a bamboo book from within his robes, and places it between the youth's crossed arms.
"Take it as a parting gift..."
Miyato's glare becomes weak.
"...and a present to you, as a master."
"Master?"
Shinji's face twists in shock. He wants to spit in the man's face for just randomly picking him as his student without his cognizant.
Before a reaction comes, Miyato voices seriously, "I don't want to pry into your relationships, but I know you have been helping Lucien-san develop his Hammer Martial Art."
'How sly of him...'
The young man somewhat cringes, miffed by Miyato's findings.
"You're just testing me... and, your assumption is spot on, though. Indeed, I'm helping him develop Martial Arts. Not one, but three, since one is for Sora; the other is for his alternative weapon that goes well with his body's traits more than a hammer."
'Such monsters.'
Miyato smiles faintly, before laughing loudly, getting everyone's attention. After he is done, he continues the conversation in a slightly envious tone:
"I've been trying to make my Sword Martial Arts for a few years, but my development progress is nowhere near yours and Lucy-san's."
Shinji shrugs his shoulders, indicating him to get to the point.
"Bushi movements are crude, and full of flaws. They believe in the strength of their Tama, and the amount of Rei in their bodies, yet such people try to teach us, those who don't have Rei and Tama."
Miyato takes a pause, and clicks his tongue in disdain, sneering in jest: "Over the years, I have tried my best, figuring out what made me weak..."
A smile emerges on Miyato's face.
"Lack of Martial Arts made me weak. A sequence of attacks that go well with my body, eliminating all weakness that I could notice. With Martial Arts, one can ascend beyond physical limits, pierce through the skies, cut cliffs, pairing with some Madoshi Tama-Artists, if not those of the grades above."
His expression takes an 180 degree twist. Sulking, he adds: "However, I reached a wall: there is something wrong with the Martial Arts I developed. I don't know, but there is something crying inside of me to awaken. If I awaken that something, I would transcend, gaining something that can fight Rei."
Shinji's smile fades, taking a look at the bamboo book.
"You want me to perfect your art?"
Miyato nods.
After 3, or so minutes, Shinji reaches a conclusion, "They're few errors in your Martial Art... some moves are omitted; some repeated too frequently."
Miyato's furrows his brows.
Shinji is crapping over his pride. The reason he asked for assistance is because he is going to drop swordsmanship, and focus on having a family —this is his last year at the camp. In his eyes, Lucien's Martial Art is beneath his by a wide margin.
Miyato laughs in hatred:
"This side of yours is interested! Do you suffer from bipolar disorder or something?!"
A vein popped on Shinji's face inside his mask. Although mentally ill, he doesn't want it to be stated out loud in his presence.
Turning around; storing the bamboo book, Shinji takes hold of Miyato's shoulder, speaking coldly:
"That's the furthest thing from my sickness (lies). I prefer to act this way to save myself... unlike you who acted the fat ram while hyenas were watching."
The weight of Shinji's words land on Miyato like a bucket of cold water, killing his rage. He is no idiot to not understand the dilemma he was in.
'...here, I was thinking of having a family.'
Oblivious to what is going in his head at the moment, Shinji pats his should, leaving with a mutter:
"The body is created in various ways, and your body is that of man. If you continue to fight the way of the beast, you'll never find what you're searching for. However, seek man, and all will be open to you. Also, your Martial philosophy is rubbish. Our Lucy-san over there, has already reached the stage you're never going to get in this lifetime."
Before Miyato can act on the insults, Shinji is already walking toward the others. Forthwith, his gaze turns over to Lucien's position, as he blinks a few times to see through his moves.
As a seasoned fighter, he can tell that Lucien's moves are crude. Furthemore, he is still being dragged around by the weight of his giant hammer. However, upon further observation, his jaw drops to the ground in shock.
—How monstrous! His Martial art is hidden within those crude moves...
He initially thought their Martial Art is so-so, because they are beginners; although they are progressing fast. However, when he saw the disappointment filled gaze Shinji gave him earlier, he started to raise doubts on his evaluation...
»»»Now, there are confirmed.
He mistook an ocean for a spring.
In most martial arts, the weapon is treated like an extra limb. Thanks to this, one can tame it to move in the intented desire, being a master over it.
However, Lucien doesn't treat his hammer like an extra limb; instead he treats it as himself. Between them, there is no master of one another, but they all move in the same intented direction, without forcing each other. In lighter words, Lucy has become one with his hammer; even without it, he can do the things he does with it.
—I can tell there is a sequence within those basic moves, but I can't even see through them.
Feeling helpless is useless as his life. Turning around, He yells:
"Everyone let's continue our journey."
—This New Age seems to be giving birth to a Wondrous Age.
***
As the Kurenai mortals crest the summit, they spot a group of men, riding horses in the distance, clad in blue kamishimo.
Meanwhile, Miyato stands before his men, his katana pointing straight ahead,
"Muso-kun, I'll end our rivalry today, and bring your head back to our camp."
Muso smiles faintly, as he dismounts his horse and unsheathed his katana.
"This will be our final duel; I'll kill you and claim your title as Sword Saint."
The two men exchange smirks, before charging at each other. Their swords clash in a flash of steel, echoing through the air.
Clang!
The sound signals the start of the battle between the Kurenai and Kushi Village mortals. The Kurenai warriors, clad in armor, clash with the Kushi riders.
Even so, the main battle rages at the center of X-You Mountain, where Miyato and Muso dance in a flurry of blades.
Their clash, a testament to their generations-honed skills, with sparks flying every time they parry.
Muso snickers: "You look ill today. Did you have something bad for breakfast?"
Miyato remains silent at his taunt, focusing on defense, as he observes Muso's movements.
Tricks, feints and powerful blows, Miyato dodges them with ease, showcasing his prowess as the Sword Saint.
Muso realizes that Miyato's talent surpasses his own, and he jumps back to reassess.
"Why aren't you attacking?"
Miyato replies coldly:
"If I do, you'll die. I'm sure you've realized that by now."
Muso acknowledges the truth in Miyamoto's words, turning his expression into a mix of frustration and admiration.
"So what if I die? My death will inspire someone from my village to take up my sword and continue the fight. As I always say, people don't truly die: they live on in the hearts of those left behind, so give me an honorable death everyone will remember."
Miyato nods; his expression solemn.
"Then I'll give you an honorable death, one that will leave a lasting impact."
As Miyamoto charges forward, his armor releases faint metallic sounds. Muso meets him head-on, but their blades clash with tremendous force, sending Muso stumbling back.
Miyato raises his sword for the finishing blow, but suddenly trips and fell. Muso seizes the opportunity, swinging his sword to strike Miyato's exposed neck.
However, before connecting, a giant hummer comes rushing at him.