Kingdom: Hyou Ren

I followed my father, riding by his side on horseback, as we made our way towards the main camp of our battlefield. 

"I heard you defeated Raiga Tai, how was it? They were apparently one of Wei´s hidden talents." Duke Hyou said, followed by a booming laughter as we rode side by side. 

"It was difficult, but due to the help of Ishrio and my officers, we pulled through." I said, and Hyou smiled. 

"So Ishiro, Kaen, Roku and Hozu are serving you well? I knew it was a good decision to send them with you." Hyou Kou said, as we entered our actual part of the battlefield and headed for his tent. 

We enjoyed some small talk for a few minutes, as we reached the tent, I got off my horse and followed my Father into the tent, as we sat down. Opposite of each other, as night was about to fall. 

"Son. You have made this Father proud, you are a proper heir to the Hyou Legacy." He said, shocking me. I didn´t truly expect this, and as such. I decided to be honest.

"I-i, I didn´t know that. To be frank, ever since I showed no talent in combat. You've been cold and distant, what's changed?" I asked him, as my father picked up one of his special alcoholic beverages, wine. His expression turned sour, as he drank it up. 

"No action can ever show my love for you, Ren. But I will admit, the day your obvious lack of talent in any type of hand-to-hand combat came to my notice, my opinion of you fell. Though it's legacy, the Hyou Family has been fighters, instinctual generals, in fact, it´s our greatest strength. Our instincts." He said, after finishing up his drink.

"I believed you to be a lost cause, your instinct never showed the same aptitude as my father, his father, and his father before him, I even thought out the option of you not being my child. I was devastated, which is what led to my cold-attitude." He said, looking down. Before looking straight up, with a wide smile. His trademark smile.

"But you've proven me wrong, ever since you set out. You've broken records after records, award-winning tactics, immense foresight. You're on a road to greatness, my instincts tell me so. You have changed me, Ren. And I want you to know, I always have and always will love you just as much, nothing can change that. Not even disappointment." He said, and I couldn´t help but let my mind, and heart relax.

For so long, my original body. And in some degree, I. Had wanted to hear such words, and now that it finally came. I was taken aback, unable to respond. And my Father saw that, quickly shifting the topic.

"Hhahaha, that's enough of those sour tactics. Let's discuss the battle!" He exclaimed, drinking another cup of his extremely strong wine, and handed one to me.

I drank it, the entire cup. It wasn't the first time I had tasted it, and it was weaker than shots or booze, I´d guess it was about 20-30%. Much weaker than booze. 

"Hahhaha, to think you'd have it in you. As expected of my son." Duke Hyou laughed crazily, and the atmosphere changed entirely.

"You´ll be my brains for this battle, Ren. Which Father would not want his son to succeed? And I have faith in your mind, and therefore I shall give you this opportunity. As you know, I often take charge of the general strategy by instinct. But you'll be my Lieutenant and Tactician." He said, and I smiled at that.

"I won't let you down... father." I said, my eyes locking with his.

"Of course! Hahaha, you better not., After all, we're fighting 120 000 men with 42 000, hahaha." He said, and I couldn´t help but sigh at that. 

"By the way, father. I want you to know, Shin is more like you than me, I know you're aware of this. And he has greatness in him as well, please make sure you do your part to ensure he reaches it. He has great potential, and I believe only you can light a fire underneath it." I said, and Hyou burst out laughing.

"Of course you noticed it, hahahaha. But yes, I agree. That boy has something to him, he's a fire starter that one. And I had planned to guide him either way." Hyou Kou said.

"I know, but I wanted you to know it would not affect me if you helped him, I am aware of our differences. And someone will have to take over your role, when you retire." I said, catching Hyou slightly off-guard.

"Retire? Boy, you know very few retire with this profession. Especially as a General." Hyou said, and I nodded.

"I do, but I´ll make sure you retire. Surrounded by loved ones and family, perhaps even grand-children." I said, and he burst out laughing.

"Of course! I can't die before I see my grandchildren." He said, before pouring me more of his wine. 

"To my grandchildren!" He said, raising his cup.

"To my children." I said, duplicating his actions, as we both chugged them down.

Before bursting out laughter.

Yes, I might have had too much. 

I felt the blast of sunlight hit my eyes as I walked out of my tent, my head fighting a war to keep me conscious, I drank way too much yesterday.

And the emotional talks and revelations yesterday, didn´t make the desire to drink lower, though I had let a lot out that night, and I felt as if a barrier was gone, vanished. 

However, I was brought out of my thoughts by the trampling of hooves as a horse stopped before me.

Looking up, I found Shin and his officers on horses before me.

"Ah, if it ain't Shin of the Hi Shin Force, how ya doing?" I said, the barriers removal, somewhat affecting my joyous mood, in a good way.

"Hi Ren, what's up with you. You're usually not so lively." Shin said.

"You see, I had a drinking night with my father, and got a lot off my chest. We haven't been precisely on, talkative terms before. But we've mended it up, and we drank a lot." I said, resulting in an "ooooh" from Shin, and I chuckled at that.

"Either way, on a more serious note. My Father made me his tactician, an-" I tried, but I was interrupted.

"What!? Tactician? As the second in command of 40 000 men!?" Shin shouted. 

"Well, yeah. Nepotism is a thing, you know." I said, making Shin grumble to himself about the disadvantage of being common born.

"Ye, ye. Shin. You're not a noble, and started without connections." I said, imitating his situation.

"But that is precisely why I, and many with me, respect you. Shin." I said, catching him off guard. "Your unit follows you before they believe in you, they know you came from common-grounds as well, and yet you've become so famous. Do not lose sight of your starting Shin, for you'll lose all its benefits as well." I said, throwing Shin into a deep, thoughtative state, but I had no use from him in that place, so I brought him right back.

"Anyhow, Shin. I wanted to inform you of the upcoming battle." I said, as Shin woke up. And I saw his officers chuckle at that.

"You'll act independently, as a special unit should. You answer to Duke Hyou, and in practical terms, me. But except for that, you're free. I trust you to make the right decisions." I said. 

"But try to remain close to Duke Hyou, apart from him. You're the strongest here, followed up by Ishiro. But my Father always leads from the front, and as much faith I have in him, he is still my father, and there-" I tried, but Shin cut me off again. 

"I understand, Ren. I´ll make sure Duke Hyou doesn't die." Shin said seriously, and I smiled at that. 

"Great, I won't hold you up anymore, Shin. Good-luck." I said, before walking off. Heading towards my tent, I had enough to do already, and chit-chatting with Shin wasn't one of them. 

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