Shadows of Ruin

Kuro looked down at the broken hand, a cruel smile on his face. "Still not speaking?" he asked, his voice a mocking drawl.

He dropped the injured samurai to the ground and turned to the others. His eyes scanned their faces, looking for any sign of weakness.

"You all seem awfully quiet," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "But I have ways of making you talk."

His eyes fixed on Rokuske and Kairo, who returned his gaze defiantly. Their faces betrayed no hint of fear, only resolve.

Kuro sneered at their expressions. "You think you're brave, staying silent like this?" he asked, his voice full of contempt.

He stepped up to Rokuske, his hand clenched into a fist. "I'll make you talk, even if I have to beat you bloody to do it."

Rokuske just stared back at him, his eyes narrowed defiantly. "You can try," he said, his voice steady and firm.

Kuro's face twisted into a snarl as he drew back his fist. "Oh, I'll do more than try," he said, his eyes gleaming with malice.

With a swift movement, he slammed his fist into Rokuske's face. The impact was brutal, and Rokuske's head snapped back violently.

The other samurai flinched at the sight, their eyes widening in horror. But they didn't make a sound, their lips staying firmly sealed.

As Takuo was making camp near a river, he felt Yuna stir in his arms. He looked down at her, surprised to see her eyelids fluttering open, revealing her wide, dark eyes.

As her eyes opened, Takuo was struck by her beauty. She was as lovely as everyone had said, her features soft and delicate, her skin flawlessly pale , her long lashes cast shadows on her cheeks, framing her dark eyes. Her face was young and delicate, her skin slightly flushed from sleep. In the dim light of the camp, she looked fragile and innocent, the perfect picture of a damsel in distress.

Although her features were delicate and soft, there were also signs of the recent battle etched upon her face. Patches of dirt and soot were smeared across her skin, the result of the struggle in the castle. Her hair was disheveled and loose, the silken strands tumbling down to her chest.

As she regained consciousness, Yuna was in a state of confusion. The last thing she remembered was going to sleep safely in her room in the castle. So to find herself outside, in the forest with Takuo, was bewildering and disorienting.

Takuo's arms loosened, allowing Yuna to sit up. She looked around, her eyes wide and bewildered, as she tried to piece together what had happened to her.

Yuna looked around, her eyes taking in her surroundings. The air was crisp and cool, and she could smell the fresh, earthy scent of the forest. She could hear the sound of a nearby river, the water gently flowing over rocks and fallen branches.

Takuo spoke up, his voice polite but respectful. "Young lady, you've been through a lot,"

Yuna looked at him, her expression still a little confused. "I don't remember anything...the last thing I remember is going to sleep in my room,"

Takuo nodded, understanding her confusion. "I found you unconscious in the castle," he said. "I had to get you away from there."

Yuna's eyes widened as she absorbed the information. "The castle...?" she repeated, her voice wavering. "Was it attacked?"

Takuo nodded grimly. "Yes," he said. "The castle was attacked by bandits. I found you in the midst of the battle.”

Yuna's face paled as Takuo's words sunk in. "My father...?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Where is he? Is he alright?"

Takuo's expression darkened as he answered her question. "I'm sorry, young lady," he said gently. "Your father...he didn't survive the attack."

Takuo spoke gently, his voice filled with empathy. "I understand how hard it must be to hear this, but even a strong lord like your father has limits," he said.

Yuna looked up at him, her eyes rimmed with tears. "But...he was strong," she whispered. "He could take on anyone. How could he have...lost?"

Takuo sighed, his expression sympathetic. "It wasn't just a one-on-one fight," he said. "The attackers outnumbered your father's guards by a significant amount. Even the strongest warrior can be overwhelmed by a large enough force."

Yuna's eyes widened as she heard Takuo's explanation. "So...there were too many of them?" Her voice was small and quavering

Takuo nodded grimly. "Yes," he said. "There were too many for your father to fend off. The attackers were ruthless and determined. Even your father's strength and skill weren't enough to stop them."

Takuo was in the middle of speaking to Yuna when they heard a sudden rustle and a low growl coming from a nearby bush. He immediately tensed, his hand going to the sword strapped to his hip.

end of ch-