A Better Life

[Hayate_Amatsukami]

Everyone seemed to be rushing around with a great purpose, helping to gather what they could carry and make it into the basement of the Amatsukami estate. Hayate sat eerily still on the large ornate steppes of the main hall watching the sealed gate of the compound carefully. He had spent the majority of his life here in Yukon, this was the place he became a man, the place where he watched his father die. He knew all the ins and outs of this place like the back of his hand.

Hayate was waiting, knowing that there wasn’t much time they had left before they would be here. What seemed like an hour passed as the few straggling members of his family finished getting the last of their valuables. Hayate hadn’t moved an inch, never taking his eyes of the gate.

As Shina and Amoki chaperoned the last of the former generation into the basement a wave of relief washed over the young lord. At least now his family was on their way, at least for now he could breath.He stood from his post and made his way back to his chambers, it was the place they would check first. That would be the location where Hayate Amatsukami would formally renounced their claim to Yukon and their allegiances to Hizuren the Tyrant of Akashima.

By now the moon was already high in the night sky bathing the entire land in a cool vibrant blue. The calm night air conforted him for a moment. Then the young lord drew his sword from his hip holding it tightly in his right hand and studying the ancient runes etched into its blade.

He thought back to the lessons his grandfather taught him about the four spirits that guard the world. He remembered that when he was little his grandfather would tell him stories about Modem the master of masters. Hayate would listen for hours about the protector of the weak and defender of the people. He once said that Modem lived within everyone and that even the smallest of men could become a god. The young lord pushed his fingertips along with the runes on his blade mouthing a particular passage he remembered distinctly from his teachings.

“And let the sorrow rest upon the shoulders of the hero.” These were the words that resonated in the back of the young lord’s mind. He was uneasy but fully committed to the task at hand. By now they should be on their way. A regiment of shogun soldiers ready to stop the Amatsukami from fleeing by any means necessary would soon descend on the estate hungry for blood. He would be the only vanguard to stand in their way.

This is going to be the last time I ask you, Yamato, his spirit partner, spoke out telepathically. Are you sure that this is all worth it?

“There is no turning back now my friend, I’m glad you here with me.” The young lord has always trusted his spirit partner and now he would need him more than ever. The time was almost upon them.

Until you draw your final breath I shall stay by your side. Even if you make terrible decisions.

“As long as your around I can make as many bad decisions as I want.”