(Part 1)
10 YEARS AGO, 10450, WINTER MONTH 4, DAY 9, YEAR 10450 SAMURAI COUNTRY NAGASUKE
Along the way, Skrylla Yokuta saw frozen streams and the like.
Although having some water left, he simply broke the ice and got some when the river was not too deep to reach into.
He also took turns in soaking his outer and inner shirt, wearing the other when he left one to dry over the mouth of the dust bin he was pulling around.
Crap!
He had to walk through knee high snow and it made dragging the bin harder.
So, at times like this, he would simply carry it, he hated the precipitation too.
Other days, it was easy to ignore but when it was heavy like the days following, he had worried because the falling snow would keep his potential meals from exposing themselves to him.
So, at the end of the 4th day from his encounter with the Vampire Bat, the skies were relatively clear and he managed to snag a few animals along the next weeks.
Yes, he had lost weight, but he had a very primal feel to him.
His past battles had raised his respect for mother nature and her creations.
His training regimen felt a little more fluid like there were some things he had been missing because of his repertoire of opponents that his mother had helped him with.
It was as though since the Owl, his memory had increased and his reaction time had also done the same because of the encounter with the Vampire Bat.
So, when he watched the gas trails after his Visualization and Meditation, he could almost recall his previous fights entirely.
But it was not like he could actually see them.
In fact, even the day they illuminated his mind, it was as though his instincts were speaking to him.
Sadly, the Gas Trails simply showed him what he could do after him intentionally visualizing his opponent, or what he could have done.
Which led to a current situation of him speaking to his sword.
“Hey Buddy, was that possibly you?”
And while it looked crazy, he had a conjecture.
There were times the Gas Trails had illuminated his mind and showed him what to do but there other times when he had moved.
Like when he had cut its head off, and one of the times he had caught its fangs with his sword.
Thus, him reacting based off past experience and without being told was instinct and reflex, but him seeing Ghost Trails was his… sword?
If only he could ask his mom about it.
He drowned the thought until he put her face out of his mind and continued forward.
***
“Hey buddy, it’s another day!”
Trudging through the snow, it was now the 2nd Week of the 5th Winter Month.
After doing his regimen – Visualization, meditation, fitness, 155 swings in every direction, visualization, meditation and Gas Trail practice – he jumped around into snow to wash his body off.
Then he put his clothes back on and started marching forward again.
“Thanks for the help so far.
I really could not have gotten this far without you.”
He could tell he had improved but he did not have a good battle to test it on.
So, while he was happy that he starved at most for 4 days and usually found water in 2, Skrylla Yokuta was not too sad about it.
“What are we going to do today?”
He walked and walked until he saw the ending of trees before him, and this was not a clearing.
Stifling the urge to run and make his movements awkward for himself due to his luggage, Skrylla Yokuta slowly walked until he saw a vast plain.
All covered in snow of course.
No, he could see that a section of what seemed to be a sea of snow was cleared because as though shoveled to the sides.
“Hey buddy, I think we might see some humans today.”
Not minding the awkwardness of running as he dragged along the bin, he ran until –
PA!
His feet felt solid ground for the first time since leaving home.
“Hey buddy this is great!”
Rolling on the ground, Skrylla Yokuta was smiling like an idiot before he righted himself and resumed his journey.
5 more days passed and he saw something in the distance.
“Hey buddy, isn’t this great?”
He began jumping and waving when he remembered that it could be an enemy.
It was too late though, he had been seen by a man with a gruff beard and hard looks.
Behind this man was a chariot and he whipped the horses that he prodded to keep walking.
Since Skrylla Yokuta had already been seen he kept quiet and stared at the nan who came to a stop before him.
“Samuel, what is it???”
From the carriage Skrylla Yokuta heard a voice.
“Nothing, I just need to pee.”
“Make it quick!”
“Sure thing “
Skrylla Yokuta’s were stuck to a basket beside the man, on his seat, as he got down from the carriage.
“Hello, are you lost or crazy?”
“Do not mock me or my sword, I am on a brave quest to provide for my f-“
Seeing an axe slung across the man’s hip, his words caught in his throat.
“Do not be afraid,” the carriage driver chuckled.
“We protect ourselves in times like these.
“
Skrylla Yokuta edged away after nodding and continued his walk.
“Wait, are you far from home we can help?”
“No, thank you sir.”
He paused.
“Here, have this.”
The Carriage-Driver gave the basket to Skrylla Yokuta and the boy’s hunger made him stop to watch the entire process
“Samuel!!!”
“I’m done, I’m done!!”
“Good, now let’s get a move on.”
Seeing that Skrylla Yokuta did not take the basket, he dropped it on the ground and then climbed the carriage.
“Beautiful and Elegant Miss!”
“What do you want!”
“Can I have some more food!”
“No can do!”
“Bu-“
“When we get to the next town, you will eat.
Now move!!!”
The man turned to wink at Skrylla Yokuta before heading on his way.
The boy was still shocked because the man that had just helped him had a weapon.
And it was not even about the subtle pressure he had been ignoring as the carriage got closer but it was because the weapon had an insignia!
In this country of Nagasuke – The Samurai Country – Breathing Techniques were what created clans and legacies and even schools and sects.
But outside of these were institutions .
And every institution had its own insignia.
In fact, the government did not dare to provoke every Institution in its own nation without justifiable cause!
His mother had warned him about it so it was understandable that he was cautious.
Then, swallowing his spit he grabbed the basket and walked back into the trees.
“Hey buddy, today was not so bad, eh?”
That night it was apples, a whole chicken, mangoes, non alcoholic wine and not a few bunches of grapes.
He cried.
***
“Hey, buddy, there is a bit of disturbance over there.”
After about another week, Skrylla Yokuta heard noise in the distance and ignored it.
But no matter which side he tried to go around, the general source of the noise did not diminish.
So, he just returned to being close to the road.
“Well, since we can’t go around it, I guess its time to meet someone again.” He sighed, “hopefully they will be nice.
Like last time.”
The basket he had been given strangely kept the food warm and the contents fresh without them spoiling.
So, he managed to preserve a bit of the last drink, one drum stick and the final bunch of grapes.
Though he had lost some weight, him meeting the Carriage driver had shown him that it was possible for better to come.
It was different knowing something and experiencing it.
“Okay, buddy, moment of truth.”
Still, he drew closer as he passed tree after tree to notice that at some point he stopped squelching snow under his feet.
It was warm and very inviting.
Walking in his direction, he heard a voice.
“I’ll be turning 15 this year, this is ridiculous!”
“Young Master, I simply adhere to your parent’s wish.
It is not my desi-“
“Grow a spine, think for yourself.”
“Young Master, I really cannot do wh-“
“How can I begin cultivation at the age of 15???
Do you know how late that is?”
“Young Master, your parents only wish to see things easy for you.”
“When has easy ever set a man on the right path?”
“Young ma-“
“Shut it!
If only you know the humiliation I have endured so far.
Even Samurai can look down on me at this rate.”
“Samurai are strong and feared and res-“
“Old man, I could decide your fate.
Do not slander my words.”
“I apologize, forgive this foolish one.”
“Hmph!”
At this point Skrylla Yokuta walked past them.
He had been Awestruck at first because of what he had seen but after remembering that not everyone was kind, he chose to simply walk by.
Maybe he should have gone on the road.
In his sights were horses tied to trees.
Several carriages held fully-decked warriors that patrolled or were sharpening blades or cooking food.
The carriages themselves were on the side of the road but were also guarded.
“Hey you, are you one of the pathetic Samurai?”
A guard turned to Skrylla Yokuta.
“Mad boy!
The Young Master is talking to you!”
Turning to see who had addressed him, he saw a boy who looked slightly older than him and had short hair.
His red silk clothes had golden embroidery and he wore black gloves, the same color with his foot wear.
He looked like he wore robes but it was actually a martial artist get up.
“I do hope to one day become a Samurai but I am only wanting to provide for my family.”
The Young Master vomited and the guard frowned.
“Mad Boy apologize!”
“Old fool do you see what I mean?”
The old man the Young Master was referring to turned to glance at Skrylla Yokuta as his master continued.
He wore plain yellow garment and folded his arms underneath them.
He looked old and frail but was brimming with vitality.
His aura was almost as solid as diamond.
“How can someone wield a sword and say such trash.
I just insulted what he hopes to become but he does not even react!”
Skrylla Yokuta was already walking away when a stone flew at him, which he effortlessly ducked.
“Would you fight me?”
“I have no reason to.”
“But you also have no reason not to.”
“If I win you will have to give me a sizeable amount of food.”
“If you win.”
“Fine, you will leave it before you go.”
The boy sneered then added.
“Are you done then?”
“Yes.”
“Good, because I only want your head, seeing as there is nothing valuable on you.“