*To Saeko:

  You have been with me since the start, I left your bow in the guild me and Juni founded. I guess you met her already, you’d like her. You’re still with me even now, sometimes I catch dreams of times I don’t remember and the two of us running around the village, only to wake up. Wherever you are, take care…

  To Juni:

  I’m sorry for not being able to see our dreams through and give you the life you deserved and fought hard to make. What I would give to have another lifetime with you, I swear I can almost see flashes of the three of us in my dreams as well.

  To Sakura:

  I’m sorry I can’t be there to see you grow or give you the proper training to handle what is your inheritance. How I wish I could continue those days of adventures and exploring the woods with you and your mother. If you’re ever feeling lost and alone, look for the fire and warm up. Perhaps someday, I’ll find you again and we will have a proper conversation about anything you want to hear.

  -best regards

  Cole

  Cole folded the letter and tossed it into the bonfire he’d made for himself, watching it burn and turn to ash and smoke as he looked up at the night sky, hoping those that he sent his thoughts to would reach their destination, then again he still never truly knew what to expect.

  He had opted to go south, though he had no idea where he was actually headed in terms of south. He kept track of the days by the placement of light left in the sky during his travels.

  When it got dark was when it got dangerous. Large winged creatures would emerge and hunt by sound, they were ravenous and at times cannibalistic when little food was found, they would even turn on each other in some similar instances. Though not having eyes they were weak to bright lights, almost immediately killing them when near bright enough lighting.

  Armed only with his sword he cut a path through them easily and burned many.

  Though finding something edible was equally as difficult, as well making or finding shelter, while also tracking the flow of water. Keeping watch on his footing and making sure

  Keeping warm and keeping himself protected was never an issue, that much was easy.

  The days slowly dragged on into weeks as he continued to struggle through the canyons. It wasn’t so much the survival that was beginning to wear him down, but the constant repetition and ever changing terrain only left him more exhausted. Soon the winged predators were replaced by vultures who watched from afar, watched as plant life grew more scarce and water became harder to find.

  He was deep in the mountains, but unsure of how far he had traveled. The only certainty was the carnivorous birds that sat patiently or flew casually overhead.

  Having made it to a large barren and dried valley he had a feeling he was getting close, yet he was rapidly running out of stamina to keep moving forward. The sun continued to beat down on him as he continued to trudge along, despite trying to keep his feet up and not let his pace fall.

  He could no longer carry on as he at last collapsed to the ground, the faint sound of the buzzards screeching overhead the only thing he could make out.

  His exhaustion taking him away to inside his mind. He was back in his soul world, underneath the tree he sat and awoke, Salazar standing silently and patiently before him.

  “You’ve returned.” Salazar said softly.

  “I don’t even know where I am when I come ‘here’.” Cole retorted, as he slowly rose to his feet.

  “Does it really matter? It’s of your creation, your own imagination.” Salazar replied, Cole merely glaring at him.

  “Do you ever make sense?” Cole asked this time.

  “All you need to know is already inside here.” Salazar said, softly pressing a finger to Cole’s forehead. “I believe in you, and I keep my oath to you to shield you in my wings. If must lean on me, then do not shut me out. I am you, and you are me.” He explained, resting his hand on Cole’s shoulder as he smiled a little.

  Cole closed his eyes feeling a gentle breeze blow past them, sweeping a pile of loose Sakura petals past them.

  “I may have to do just that for what’s to come. I’ve already fought against one ruling power and accomplished nothing. I don’t want to start another war and cause even more destruction.” Cole said at last, opening his eyes again.

  “You will know what is right when the time comes.” Salazar said lastly.

  ——————————

  Cole came back to, coughing hard. He was on a raised cot of some kind. The soft knitted material sagged gently under his weight. Setting beside the cot was a small table with a cup of water, resting against the table and the wall of what was the small darkened hut was his sword. He rolled over still weak from exhaustion, his hand reaching for the cup.

  “I wouldn’t do that.” A gruff voice said, his eyes shifting to a man sitting in the corner.

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  He was draped in layers of robes, with stitched leather to form some sort of armor, some ceremonial knife strapped to the front of chest and leather armor. His boots having the same quality of hand stitching, being made by him no doubt. A layer of fabric wrapped around his head and draped over his face revealing only his eyes and hands. He was gently sharpening his own large scimitar.

  “I-ach.. I was going for, the water.” Cole coughed, his voice still hoarse. Immediately coughing again despite wasting energy on such a joke.

  “Drink. Then we talk.” The robed man said, momentarily stopping his task before returning it to its scabbard, now working on a set of arrows.

  Cole’s head was still light and his body ached. Carefully taking the cup he took slow sips. All the while the man who had been sitting watch finished assembling stock of arrows.

  “Talk, tell me what brings someone like you to these canyons.” The man said. “My name is Ducard. I am a Janisary of the Hashashin mountain tribes. We have watched you from afar on your journey here.” The man introduced himself, placing a hand on his chest before extending it out.

  “I am Cole Kuro. Just a wandering fool, lost and on a long journey.” Cole said calmly, setting down the empty cup.

  “We saw a swordsman, and a mage of legend.” Ducard countered, Cole looking his way with curiosity in his eyes.

  “Nothing is as it ever seems.” Cole responded with inturn, narrowing his eyes some.

  “We know what we saw, what I have seen with my own eyes. You killed many Canyon Raptors that would surely cull our numbers in days if we attempted such a campaign. They will return their nests and hatch new broods, they will return in time. But for now you have cut a path straight through.” Ducard explained, confirming he had seen Cole taking on the winged predators. “But you were slow, too careful with your path, you took the most difficult routes. Thus why you did not make it to your destination and why we took you in.” He added

  “I just did what I could to survive, I was given guidance to either go north or south. So you can see I chose south. I came looking for those that dwell in the mountains and canyons.” Cole said, giving his reasoning for coming to this place.

  “Well we found you, before the buzzards did. What is it you seek from us, swordsman?” Ducard asked, leaning back some in his seat.

  Cole closed his eyes as he hung his head. But knew this was the choice he’d made, he had to see it through.

  “I seek one who corrupts all he touches, a cunning man who can slither out of any situation. He will be close to the one in power, the one who rules. It’s my duty to stop his madness.” Cole explained, Ducard now the one looking with curiosity.

  “Many men within the Empire conspire against one another over petty rights and claim to what records our ancestors had preserved from their arrival.” Ducard explained, Cole looking slightly confused at this. “Such a man is only of hundreds in the Empire stepping over one another to earn the emperor’s ear. To find him would be impossible, in a vast sea of information that is stored in the forge cities it would take forever to find the right connections. You’ll never get near the palace either.” He further added, yet still weaving grains of truth hidden in riddle like words.

  “Well as you have said. I’ve carved you a a temporary path, and I can keep it open for you and the other tribes. I’m sure I could be of use in procuring information and dealing damage to the empire. If I were to say, assemble a team?” Cole proposed, Ducard leaning forward in interest at this proposal.

  “And where you find such individuals to fight alongside you?” Ducard asked a little cautious.

  “Call it a hunch that I have a team, just a matter of finding them. Perhaps I may have to wait for them. But we will reunite in time.” Cole assured him, a small smirk forming as Ducard quirked an eyebrow.

  “How can you be so certain?” Ducard questioned still cautious.

  “You’ll just have to trust me, if you truly believe me to such a mage.” Cole countered, this made Ducard chuckle.

  “You are wise boy, I respect that. You test my own faith and that of my tribe. Very well, we will show the ways of the canyon, and you will show us what it is you can do with that sword until you assemble your team.” Ducard declared, rising up and offering his hand.

  Cole firmly shaking his hand as he met his strong gaze.

  “Then we shouldn’t waste time.” Cole said pulling himself to his feet, still not fully back to his full strength. Regardless he picked up his sword and fastened it to his hip.

  “First we eat, after we train.” Ducard said, his tone holding no room for debate, Cole accepting this as he was guided out of stone carved hut.

  The canyons themselves had been shaped and molded by these tribesmen and outcasts, they looked like commoners and what was low nobility. But all had the same kind fight in their eyes. They all had lost something, and they sacrificed even more to get here. But all bearing similar sheathed knives on their person. He could feel the faintest traces of aura sputtering from each of them.

  “Your knives. I can sense small sparks, but theyre too faint.” Cole noted, as he looked around slowly while they walked.

  “This is where the greatest concentration of crystalline steel is located. It is also our haven from the Canyon Raptors. In sun or under the moon, it reflects the rich shimmering crystalline steel buried in part the canyons and it drives them away.” Ducard explained to Cole, as he led them up a set of carved steps to another level of the flats.

  They were now approaching a collection of tents and other dwellings that were for those of this tribe. Many were sitting around and tending to weapons and equipment.

  “We also have our secrets for how we make such weapons. For you have still not answered the question of who you are, swordsman. And I don’t mean a wandering a fool.” Ducard added, as they approached the largest and most elaborate tent. Cole able to feel the mischief he held in his voice.

  As they entered they knelt and bowed before a seated and finely robed man. His gaze piercing and serious, the knife he had affixed to his chest was plated with gold. He had to be the tribe leader.

  “Sit. Speak, while we eat. We have much discuss, champion of flames.” The leader said as group filed in with plates, dishes, goblets and bottles.

  Though as impressive as it was, he could see the goblets were worn and the wine was not anything special, but seemed like something the leader treasured, the food very simple but well prepared. It was odd yet welcoming as Cole silently took all this in. The leader now offering him a goblet to which he accepted as it was about another long discussion.