Continuous Reincarnation

That night, the samurai made camp in a small clearing near the forest, not far from the site of the battle.

Some of the samurai sat around, laughing, exchanging stories of battles won and lost while drinking sake.

Jin and I sat by a smaller fire, away from the others. Jin poked at the fire with a stick.

"Why do you think Father brought us here ?" he broke the silence.

I thought about it for a moment "i don't know. Maybe to make us experience what it is to be a samurai."

Jin nodded but still seemed uncertain "But at what cost ? We're here, fighting pirates, bandits, and villagers who can't defend themselves."

Before i could respond, Father rose from where he sat and approached us.

"Jin." he said, his voice low but firm "go to the others and ask for sake. Tell them it's for me."

Jin hesitated for a moment but then nodded, rising to his feet. He gave me a brief look before walking toward the larger group of samurai.

Once Jin was gone, Father sat down beside me, the firelight casting long shadows on his face. For a moment, we sat in silence.

"Shuji." He began, his tone was softer than usual "Do you understand why I brought you both here ?" He asked but still looked at the fire.

"To train us. To make us samurai." I replied with uncertainty.

Father nodded "Yes, to train you. But more than that... to make you men."

He turned to face me "Being a samurai is more than just knowing how to fight. It's about discipline, about responsibility. You are my sons, and one day, you will carry the weight of the Sakai name. I need you to be ready for that, to understand what it means."

Before the conversation could continue, Jin returned, carrying a big flask of Sake.

Father took the flask but didn't drink from it immediately. Instead, he looked at both of us and gestured for Jin to sit then gave us two empty flask and filled them with the Sake in the big one.

"Why do we not drink with the other samurai ?" Jin asked as he looked at the flask of Sake in his hand.

"A lord must set boundaries between himself and his followers." Father replied before drinking from his flask.

"Why ?" Jin asked before also drinking the Sake.

"Familiarity breeds a lack of discipline. A lord must be respected by his men." Father replied as he looked at Jin.

"But they put their lives on the line for you." Jin said with resolve.

"It is their duty to do so. As samurai, we serve our Jito, our lord. And they serve us." Father explained.

I could see the conflict in Jin's eyes. He wasn't satisfied with the answer, but he didn't argue. Instead, he nodded, though I could tell he was still thinking about it.

"Your mother and I used to talk about this often." Father continued, his voice softening "She was compassionate, clever... losing her was like losing the best part of myself."

Jin and I both looked at Father, surprised by his sudden vulnerability. Because he rarely spoke of Mother.

"I wish we knew her better." Jin said with sadness as he looked at the fire.

Father's gaze softened as he looked at us "She would have wanted that too. She loved you both more than anything in this world."

I remember her interrupting our training to let us play. Saying that life's to be enjoyed.

Jin hesitated before speaking again "The flute I carry with me... it was hers."

"Let's hear it, then. Please... play it." Father's eyes were fixed on the flute.

Jin glanced at me, then brought the flute to his lips. The first notes were quiet, a little unsteady, but as he continued, the music became clearer.

We sat in silence for a while. Listening to the sound of the melody.

After that night, for the next few weeks we've been killing raiders and pirates. Conquering most of the north of Iki.

I was with Lord Adachi most of the time. Taking care of Fort Sakai and training.

Lord Adachi didn't steel his title of best swordsman of Tsushima that's for sure.

He wasn't as brutal but he was more precise with his moves than father.

It had been days since Jin and Father had gone to Sendo Gorge, and my mind had been occupied with everything but their absence. I had no reason to expect the tragedy that was coming.

The sound of creaking wheels pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see a cart approaching the gates of the fort. Two samurai walked beside it, heavily injured, their armor battered and bloodstained. And then I saw Jin, pale, his eyes looked empty.

Next to him, in the cart was father's corpse.

I rushed toward the cart, my heart pounding. The closer I got, the more it became clear. Father was dead.

Jin wasn't crying. He wasn't speaking either. But his expression said everything.

The two injured samurai stopped in front of me. Their faces were grim, and one of them stepped forward, voice heavy with sorrow "We were ambushed… at Sendo Gorge." he began, his voice rough from exhaustion "The bandits caught us by surprise. Lord Sakai… he fought bravely, but his leg was broken in the fight. We couldn't reach him in time."

He looked at the ground "We found Lord Sakai's body lying beneath a Wisteria tree. He was already gone. When we arrived."

I led Jin away from the other men, giving us a moment of privacy. As soon as we were alone, I tried to get him to speak "Jin." I started softly "What happened ?"

For a moment, he said nothing. But then with a low voice "I couldn't help him, Shuji…" his voice cracked "I was too scared. I hid in one of the houses while Father asked for help."

My stomach twisted, hearing him say those words. But he wasn't finished.

"I heard him. I heard Father call for me… and then… the bandit… he said, 'May your death benefit all beings.' and then… he killed him." Jin broke down and hugged me. He cried in my arms.

I tried to reassure him but, nothing i could say would take away the pain, the feeling that he had failed Father.

For the next few hours, the fort was silent. The men prepared for the inevitable retreat. Without Father's leadership, the campaign to pacify Iki Island was over. The samurai retreated from the island, and we returned to Tsushima, Father's body with us.

For the next week, Jin barely left the house. He stayed in the room with Father's armor, only coming out to eat or sleep.

Jin and I, dressed in black haori, knelt in front of Father's armor when Yuriko entered the room. "Young masters, it's time." she said quietly.

"We're coming, Yuriko..." I stood up, glancing at Jin as we followed her to where the guests had gathered.

"The whole island has come to mourn your father." Yuriko told us.

"Can't you send them away ?" Jin asked, sounding distant.

"You have to face them, Jin. You and Shuji are the heads of Clan Sakai now." Yuriko said before looking at us for a moment "Your father is the wind at your back. Your mother, the birds in the trees..."

"And our uncle ?" Jin asked quietly.

"He'll speak to you at the pyre." Yuriko answered before leading us outside the gate of the house.

"If you ever need guidance... Clan Adachi will help you." Both lord Adachi and his wife bowed to us.

As we went up the stone stairs Ishikawa sensei saluted us "Your father protected the peolpe above all else. A true samurai."

Our uncle Lord Shimura waited for us at the top of the stairs.

As we appoached father's pyre. Jin walked back a few step "I couldn't save him. I was a coward."

"Jin !" Uncle called firmly "You are a samurai."

Jin turned to our uncle "He died... Because of me."

Uncle approached Jin "Your father fell in battle saving his son. His reward is a warrior's death." Then he looked at both of us "Now you will carry on his legacy." As he gave us father's katana "Your father's spirit reside within his blade. He is always with both of you."

I felt a knot in my throat "Uncle Shimura, we won't let Father down. We'll honor his memory."

Our uncle's expression softened slightly. "I know you will, Shuji. Both of you."

Jin simply nodded and a few tears dropped from his eyes.

Our uncle patted Jin's shoulder gently "Tomorrow... You will come to my fortress. As my wards.... Today, say goodbye to your father." He then bowed to us respectfuly.

After the ceremony, our father was buried with our ancestors at the family cemetery.

Both me and Jin knelt before our father's grave, brushing my fingers over the engraved stone.

Just then, Lord Shimura approached "Your parents will always be with you."

"Yes uncle." Jin's tears runed down his cheeks.

Uncle patted Jin's shoulder "I will train you to become the best warriors the Sakai clan has ever known."

Then he crouched and looked at both of us "I will raise you as my own sons."

10 years passed, even if our father's death weighted on us, we still tried to uphold our family's legacy, we trained day and night, learned how to use bow's, spears, shields,... I was not as talented as Jin but i was stronger and with hard work i managed to surpass him, even if not by much. We still played with Ryuzo when we could but it was rare for us to see him. But one day at a local festival.

[6 years ago]

Ryuzo stood with a group of friends, a smirk on his face as he spotted us.

"Look who it is, the little samurai." he called out, swaggering toward us.

"Ryuzo !" Jin called him "How have you been ?"

"Better than you two, obviously." He shot back "I heard your uncle is raising you like sons, but let's be real. If he has a son of his own, he'll forget about you."

Jin's expression darkened "Don't say that ! Uncle Shimura would never abandon us !"

Jin threw a punch, catching Ryuzo off guard. Then turned and fled, tears welling in his eyes.

"Jin, wait !" I called out, but he was already disappearing into the crowd.

Ryuzo wiped the blood from his lip and laughed "still a big baby."

"How dare you talk about him like that ! You don't know what we've been through !" I turned to face him.

Ryuzo smirked, moving to defend himself "Oh, what are you going to do ? Throw a tantrum like Jin ?"

I charged at him. "I'm done with your insults !"

I punched Ryuzo in the face knocking him to the ground.

I stood above him, Ryuzo looked at me with defiance "What's the matter, Shuji ? Can't handle a little truth ?"

"You're just trying to hurt Jin. You don't know anything about us or what we've been through since… since our father died." Then i ran and tried to find Jin.

Since that fight i never saw Ryuzo again, but i knew Jin still talked to him.

A few hours before the battle of Komoda Beach was quiet, but the tension in the air was heavy. Jin and I sat before a campfire, watching the sea. The sheer number of Mongol ships was overwhelming. An endless line of boats that seemed to blend into the sky. It was hard to believe there could be so many.

Jin stared at the sea "Do you think we can win this ?"

I didn't answer right away, holding our father's katana in my hands. The blade had seen many battles, but I wasn't sure it would be enough for what we'd face today.

"I don't know." I finally said "But we'll fight for our people. That's all that matters."

Jin nodded, but he didn't look convinced. He'd changed over the years since our father's death.

It made him more thoughtful, and more burdened. I was always here for him and i hoped he knew that.

"You should take this." I said after a long pause, handing him the katana.

Jin looked at me then at the katana then at me again with surprise "Father's sword ? Shuji, I..."

"This sword belongs to you. Our father believed in you, Jin. So do i." I intterupted him.

Jin hesitated before taking the katana from me, his fingers brushing the hilt. He looked down at the blade, lost in thought.

"Why now ?" he finally asked with a low voice.

"Because tomorrow, we might not come back. But if you do, I want you to carry Father's legacy forward, no matter what happens." I replied as i looked toward the sea.

For a while, we sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the camp. Samurai sharpening their weapons, preparing balista, feed their horses, the Straw Hats drinking to their hearts content,...

Everyone was preparing for the battle in their manners. Because we knew that we either emerged victorious or it will be our last battle.

But we're gonna die for our people. That's all that matters.

As the sun began to rise, the samurai gathered at Komoda Beach. Jin and i stood side by side on our horses next to our uncle.

Uncle rode to the front of the line with a resolute expression "Today, we fight not just for Tsushima, but for the honor of our ancestors and the future of our people. Each of you carries centuries of tradition, honor, and strength. We stand as the shield against the invaders, and though they outnumber us, we will face them with the courage of a thousand warriors ! We are Samurai !"

Then he turned to Lord Adachi "Lord adachi. Go break their spirits."

Then Lord Adachi galloped towards the army of Mongols at the shore, got off his horse and he shouted a challenge to their best warrior.

For a moment nothing happened. Then a big man in armor that i suppose to be the commander stepped forward, walking calmly toward Lord Adachi.

But instead of honoring the duel, Khotun Khan doused Adachi with Mongolian wine. Before we could react, he threw a torch, setting Lord Adachi on fire. His screams cut through the air as the flames spread across his armor and clothing. Then, without hesitation, Khotun Khan raised his halberd and decapitated Lord Adachi in one brutal swing.

I felt my stomach turn, and Jin clenched his fists in anger.

"Uncle..." Jin muttered.

Uncle's face hardened "They deserve no mercy !" he roared "Charge !"

At his command, we charged down the hill toward the Mongols.

As soon as we reached the Mongols, chaos erupted. Swords clashed, arrows flew, and i swung my blade, cutting down the first Mongol in my path. Blood splattered the sand as the battle intensified, with screams of pain and the crash of steel filling the air.

After a while i lost Jin and uncle from view. I killed more Mongols than i could count, and was growing tired. My breath was heavy, and my movements were slower. I blocked an attack, countered, and cut down another enemy, but there were always more.

An arrow grazed my shoulder, sending a sharp pain down my arm. I ignored it, focusing on the next Mongol charging at me with an axe. I dodged and slashed him down. The sand under me was soaked with blood, and the noise of battle shouts, metal clanging, and dying men...was all around me.

But I kept moving forward. I couldn't stop. I had to find Jin. Make sure he was okay.

A Mongol came at me with a spear, and I barely managed to block. The force pushed me back, but I held on, twisted my blade, and took him out with a quick strike.

I paused to catch my breath and looked around. The beach was chaos. Bodies everywhere. Some of our men still fought, but many had fallen.

Another Mongol rushed at me, and I blocked just in time. My arms were shaking, and my vision blurred for a second. I managed to knock his sword away and take him down, but I almost fell from the effort.

My vision blurred from the exhaustion. My muscle screaming for rest, but i couldn't stop now.

Suddenly an arrow strike me in the knee making me fall to the ground. But as i tried to get up, another Mongol kicked me in the guts.

I cough blood and the last thing i saw was the mongol standing over me raising his sword and pushing it down in my torso.

When I finally came to, I was sprawled on the sand, feeling heavy and weak. My body ached, especially on my side.

I glanced around, the smell of smoke and blood was thick in the air.

"Jin !" I called out. No response. I tried to stand, using a nearby rock for support. My legs felt shaky, and I stumbled, catching myself before I fell again.

I looked around again, scanning for any sign of my brother 'I need to find him !'

But i only found the corpse of Samurai, Ronin, Mongols, and Shattered banners.

I called out for Jin, my voice hoarse and shaky, but there was only silence in response. Every face I saw was unfamiliar.

Then I noticed something that made my stomach turn, two bodies hanging from a nearby tree. I froze, recognizing them as Shigesato and Yasunari Adachi. They were displayed like trophies, their lives cut short by the Mongols. Anger and grief swirled inside me, but I pushed those feelings aside. I had to keep moving.

With no sign of anyone I knew, I headed toward the nearest village, Furuta Village. I needed shelter and information.

When I arrived at Furuta, I found it already occupied by Mongol forces.

'How many days passed since the battle ?'

I moved as quietly as possible, but each step sent sharp pain through my body. I ducked behind a fence, trying to catch my breath, keeping low.

Peering through the cracks in the fence, I saw villagers working in the stable. Their face was pale and they looked exhausted.

Mongol guards stood nearby, keeping a close eye on them.

Some villagers were being marched toward one of the houses, their hands tied. Prisoners, forced into labor.

I clenched my teeth. How could they treat innocent civilian like slaves.

My body was telling me to stop, to rest, but I couldn't. I had to find out what happened to Uncle Shimura, to Jin, to anyone else who might've survived Komoda.

I staggered toward a small house at the edge of the village. When I reached the window, I knocked gently on the wall.

A woman approached it cautiously, her eyes widening when she saw me "A samurai ? You're alive ?"

I muttered "I need help."

She helped me enter through the window. A few villagers were huddled inside.

I was covered in blood, barely able to stand. Someone handed me water, and I drank it slowly, trying to stay conscious.

"Do you know if Lord Shimura or Jin… Lord Sakai… survived ?" I asked, my voice hoarse.

An older man in the group came forward "We don't know about Lord Sakai. But the Jito, Lord Shimura, was taken to the east. The Mongols are keeping him alive."

'The east ? Probably to castle Kaneda.' i thought before taking another sip of water.

Uncle Shimura was alive, but now he was a prisoner. I balled my fists, frustration rising in my chest "And the others ? Is there other samurai who survived Komoda ?"

The old man shook his head "We don't know. When the samurai lost at Komoda yesterday. They now conquered almost half of the island."

After thanking the villagers, I slipped back outside. The Mongols were still spread throughout the village, watching over the prisoners and patrolling the area. There were about fifteen of them, including one who stood out. An elite warrior with a gilded heavy armor.

I didn't have much left in me, but I couldn't leave this village to suffer under the Mongols. I drew my sword, determined to fight through the pain.

Moving as quickly as I could, I caught the first Mongol off guard, slashing his throat before he could raise the alarm. His body hit the ground with a soft thud. I kept going, killing another with a clean strike to the chest. But it wasn't long before the others noticed.

Suddenly, I was surrounded. I swung my sword, taking down another one, but the effort was wearing on me. My wounds were starting to slow me down, and each attack made my vision blur.

One of the Mongols swung an axe, and I barely dodged it. I countered, driving my blade through his chest, but more of them were closing in.

The elite soldier finally stepped forward. He swung his halberd at me, and I barely ducked in time. I could feel my strength slipping away, but I kept moving.

I aimed for the gaps in his armor. My blade struck his leg, cutting through the chainmail, but it wasn't enough to stop him. He swang his halberd again. I dodged and barely managed to stay on my feet.

Everything hurt. My body was screaming at me to stop. With a final burst of effort, I dodged his next attack and drove my sword into his neck, right above the armor.

He dropped on the floor, blood flowing on the ground.

I finished off the last of the Mongols, but by then, I could barely stand. My legs were trembling, and my vision was going dark. I sheathed my sword and tried to walk, but my body gave out.

I collapsed onto the ground, unable to move anymore. The world faded to black as I lost consciousness.

When i woke up, i could feel bandages wrapped tightly around my wounds. The pain was still there, but it had dulled enough for me to move again. I sat up slowly, wincing at the stiffness in my muscles.

A villager came in and noticed i was awake "You're alive. We took care of your wounds as best as we could"

I glanced at my armor lying in the corner of the room. It was beyond repair, torn and dented from the battle at Komoda Beach.

"There's no saving that." I muttered "Do you have any clean clothes I could wear ?"

The villager nodded and left the room, returning with a set of plain but sturdy clothes. I dressed quickly. It wasn't what I was used to, but it would do.

"How long was I unconscious ?" I asked as i fastened the rope around my waist.

"Only a few hours." The villager replied.

I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from the pain, but I couldn't stay here any longer. I needed to get to Castle Kaneda and see if the rumors were true about Uncle Shimura.

Before leaving, i thanked the villagers and found a horse in the stable, one the samurai didn't take to the battle of Komoda. The horse was completely black. I decided to name it Nigrum (Black in Latin).

With Nigrum, I set off toward Castle Kaneda. The ride was quiet, my thoughts filled with everything that had happened. The defeat at Komoda, Jin and Uncle Shimura's fate, and the weight of knowing Tsushima had fallen under Mongol control.

When I reached the outskirts of Castle Kaneda, the gates were wide open. It was eerily quiet. The bodies of Mongol soldiers were scattered across the ground, but there were no sounds of battle, no sign of life. My heart raced as I dismounted Nigrum, drawing my sword as I hurried through the gates.

I ran across the courtyard, scanning for any sign of life.

Then, in the distance, I heard a shout. I reached a bridge that overlooked a deep ravine below. That's when I saw Jin, fighting desperately. He was on the bridge, face-to-face with the Mongol leader, Khotun Khan.

Before I could even call out to him, I saw the Khan grab Jin and throw him off the side of the bridge. Jin's body tumbled through the air before crashing into the waters below.

"Jin !" I screamed. My legs moving before I even realized it. I charged toward Khotun Khan, rage filling my body, but the Khan saw me coming.

He grabbed me before I could land a blow and, with terrifying strength, threw me off the bridge too.

Everything went dark for a moment, the icy water making my head spin. But I managed to resurface, gasping for air. The current dragged me toward the shore, and I crawled onto the wet sand, coughing and trying to catch my breath.

As I lay there, soaked and bruised, I saw a figure not far from me, also pulling himself out of the water. It was Jin, his armor shattered and broken, much like mine. He was alive, thank god.