We continue from the events of chapter nine, where Onen leaves the cave to gather some fruit, then returns — only to be shocked by what he sees… Samantha is lying dead before him, stabbed. From the other side, he sees Connor fighting a masked man — the same one who killed Onen's family.
Connor fights desperately to defeat him, but the masked man cuts off Connor's arm and then stabs him. The masked man then looks at Onen and says:
"Did you really think your life would get better?"
Onen is horrified by what he sees — then suddenly wakes up in shock. It turns out everything he saw was just a nightmare.
Connor: "Easy, man, looks like you were having a nightmare."
Onen: trying to catch his breath "Yeah… I think so."
Connor: "Do you… want to talk about it?"
Onen: "No. I just want to go out, get some air, and relieve myself."
Connor: "Alright, but don't take too long."
Onen leaves the cave, still unsettled by the nightmare, and thinks to himself:
"There's no peace in this life. The one who has no friends suffers from loneliness, and the one who does have friends suffers from fear and anxiety — afraid to lose them someday. I've suffered from both... I guess the best thing I can do now is enjoy the company of my new friends while they're still alive."
He goes to relieve himself, and when he finishes, he hears a scream — a scream of pain — sounding like a horse. Onen rushes to see what's happening and finds a horse being attacked by a pack of wolves. They scratch and bite it, one of them biting its leg.
Onen decides to help the horse. He pulls out the electric baton he took from Viking No. 1 and shocks the wolves, scaring them away. But the horse is still lying on the ground, unable to stand because of its wound.
Onen remembers his father's words about herbs that heal wounds. He goes searching, finds some, and returns to treat the horse.
Onen: "Alright, I think this will do. Now I should… uh, I don't know, look for a safe place where horses like you live or something."
He walks away, thinking:
(I feel stupid… why was I talking to it? It's not like it understands me. Anyway, I should head back to the cave.)
But then he notices something — the horse is following him.
Onen: "What are you doing? I told you to go somewhere safe." (Oh wow, I'm doing it again.)
Yet the horse insists on staying with him.
Onen: "You… want to come with me? Look, I know animals like you are loyal, but trust me, I'm bad news. I don't recommend sticking with me."
The horse kneels down, inviting Onen to ride it.
Onen: "...Alright, I'll play along for a bit, but then you're leaving, okay?"
He mounts the horse, and it starts to run.
Onen: "Whoa! You recovered fast!"
The horse gallops swiftly, leaping past obstacles in the forest, until they reach a large pit.
Onen: "Uh… maybe stop here?"
But the horse jumps — and clears the pit entirely. Onen is amazed.
Onen: "I have to admit, that was awesome! Better than riding a hovercraft. Alright, I take it back — you can stay with me. But I should give you a name… hmmm… S–Storm. Yes, I'll call you Storm."
---
Onen: "You know what, I just got an idea."
He and Storm go to the crash site of the destroyed vehicle. There are scattered parts everywhere. Onen decides to rebuild them into a wagon that Storm can pull. He works for hours, cutting down a tree and shaping it into round pieces to make wheels, then searches for vines to use as ropes. After hours of effort, he finishes building a wagon for Storm to pull.
Meanwhile, Connor waits for Onen and thinks:
(He's been gone too long… I hope nothing happened to him. I want to go look for him, but I can't leave my sister asleep alone.)
Then Connor sees Onen returning with the horse and wagon.
Connor: "Well, this will definitely make traveling easier."
---
The next morning.
Connor and Samantha sit in the wagon while Onen rides Storm, leading the way. During the journey, Samantha turns to her brother:
Samantha: "So… what will you offer them in return?"
Connor: "What do you mean?"
Samantha: "I mean the kingdom we're going to ask for help. What will we give them in exchange? They won't help us for free."
Connor: "Oh, right. I'll give them a financial reward."
Samantha: "I don't think they'll accept that. Most likely, they'll demand our resources."
Connor: "There's no way I'll share those. Father did everything to protect our kingdom's technology."
Samantha: "I know. I love and respect Father, but I can't follow all his orders blindly. If sharing our resources is the only way to get help, then I'll do it."
Connor: "But, but…"
Samantha: "But what? You'd let Alvarez win just because you don't want to share? You have to… Besides, I'm the ruler now — that's an order."
Connor frowns but agrees.
Connor: "Fine."
Meanwhile, Onen rides Storm, smiling, softly humming a song from his childhood.
Samantha notices.
Samantha: "Are you… singing?"
Onen: "What? No."
Samantha: "You seem happy today, more positive than usual."
Onen: "You're right… It's because of this horse. For some reason, I enjoy riding him more than a machine."
Samantha: "Why? Machines in Kortan are faster and perform better than any horse."
Onen: "Yeah, I know. But I bonded with this horse. A machine helps you because it's programmed to. This horse helps me because he cares — I saved his life. The fact that he helps me out of loyalty, not programming, makes me prefer him over machines."
Samantha is impressed by Onen's words.
They continue traveling until they finally arrive in Japan.
Connor: "Finally, a kingdom with real soldiers. I really hope they agree to help us."
Onen: "Do you speak Japanese?"
Connor: "No, but I'm sure they have a translator."
At the gates, guards stop them, speaking in Japanese.
Samantha: "I think they want us to hand over our weapons to prove we won't hurt anyone."
Connor: "No way."
Samantha: "It's the only way in."
Connor sighs.
Connor: "First I had to agree to share Kortan's resources, and now I have to hand my lightsaber to some Japanese guards. This mission keeps getting more annoying."
They hand over their weapons and enter Japan. Everyone stares at them — surprised to see foreigners in their land.
They arrive at the royal palace to meet Ozai, the ruler of Japan. Samantha wants to go in, but Connor stops her.
Connor: "I think I should speak to him. You wait outside with Onen."
Samantha: "Why? I'm the ruler of Kortan; I should speak to him."
Connor: "Look, no offense, but I don't think he'll take you seriously because you're… uh, female."
Samantha: "I hate that you're right. Fine, I'll wait here with Onen. Be respectful when you talk to him."
Connor: "Got it."
Connor enters the palace. Onen and Samantha sit on a nearby bench. Onen suddenly stands up.
Onen: "This is boring. I'm going to explore."
Samantha: "Where are you going? We should stay and wait for my brother."
Onen: "Don't worry, I'll be quick. There's something I want to do."
He leaves.
Meanwhile, Connor speaks with Ozai through a translator.
Connor: "I know reclaiming Kortan may seem impossible, considering how many kingdoms failed, but I have a plan. Alvarez has a sorcerer with a magic staff that controls people's minds. If I can steal that staff and learn to use it, I can take back my home and banish Alvarez. I just need your army to clear a path for me — the guards there are heavily armed."
Ozai: "So… you want to use my army as human shields?"
Connor: "What? No, that's not what I meant!"
Ozai: "You said you need them to make a path. That means they'll distract Alvarez's soldiers — and since they lack advanced weapons, they'll surely die."
Connor: "I… fine, there may be losses — many losses — but I promise to compensate you. I'll share resources and money."
Ozai: "Do you think your wealth will comfort the families of the dead? I refuse. Japan has suffered enough wars with the Mongols. I want no more."
Connor feels disappointed but understands.
Connor: "I see. I understand. I'll leave then — sorry to trouble you."
He turns to leave, but Ozai suddenly says:
Ozai: "Wait!"
Connor: "What?"
Ozai: "There is one warrior I can offer you. The best in Japan — with unique skills and a personal grudge against Alvarez."
Connor: "One warrior is better than none."
Ozai leads Connor to meet the warrior.
Ozai: "Let me introduce you to… Kai."
Kai appears — a strong warrior, but with one arm.
Connor: "Uh…"
Ozai: "If you're worried about language, don't be — he speaks your tongue."
Connor: "No, I mean… he's… disabled."
Ozai: "Trust me, don't underestimate Kai just because of that. His combat skills are unmatched. If you don't believe me, try hitting him."
Connor: "Uh… I don't think that's appropriate."
Ozai: "Just try."
Connor attacks; Kai blocks easily with his arm, then kicks Connor before he can react.
At first, Connor goes easy, but he quickly realizes Kai is a serious fighter. They spar intensely until Connor admits defeat.
Connor: "I have to admit — you fight better than most people with two arms. You can come with us."
---
Connor: "By the way, can we get two horses? We have a wagon, but extra horses would help."
Ozai agrees. Connor leaves with Kai to meet the others — only to find Samantha and Onen sitting silently, tension in the air.
Connor: "What's wrong? Did something happen while I was gone?"
Onen & Samantha: "No."
Connor: "Alright… oh, right, this is Kai. Ozai refused to give me his army, but he gave me Japan's best warrior. Don't worry about the one arm — he's capable."
Onen: "Whatever. I just want to leave."
Onen mounts Storm, thinking:
"Last night I thought I should enjoy my friends while they're alive… and now I've just ruined things with one of them. What's next? Will I get mad at Storm too?"
Connor speaks privately to his sister:
Connor: "Tell me what happened. Did Onen upset you?"
Samantha: "I asked about his uncle. He didn't want to talk, but I asked again — he got angry and yelled a bit. Do you think I was wrong?"
Connor: "I really don't know, sis. I'm only good at cutting things, not at talking to people. Anyway, as long as he didn't hurt you. We should go now — Ozai gave us two horses."
Samantha: "Do you even know how to tame a horse?"
Connor: "No, but I'll learn. I guess that's the whole point of this journey — learning things we never thought we'd need to learn."**