The storm had ceased, and the sun was setting. The girl thrashed wildly as Kenji held her over his shoulder. She was only four feet tall and had a small frame. Kenji held steady as he walked, taking multiple kicks just below his rib cage, though his armor was more than enough to make them feel as nothing more than a light breeze.

  Manohara is nearby, I suppose I can stop there. I shouldn't cause too much attention as long as no soldiers are present. It is a small town, after all.

  Kenji rested the girl on the forest floor as she continued to fight. He watched as she continued with bottomless effort. He knew he couldn't take her into town in ropes.

  "Hey, calm down," he demanded, but she held no calm. "Fine. I have plenty of time."

  Kenji waited as she grew more and more tired from her constant thrashing. He watched as she fought to keep her eyes open, but he knew she'd eventually lose this battle. She was just a kid, after all.

  Some time passed, and it was night. The girl was sound asleep. Kenji picked her up and carried her into the small, coastal town of Manohara. On his left were a few buildings made from oak - not rugged, yet not so sturdy as to look inviting. On his right, he saw what looked like a small inn. Kenji carried the girl into the inn where he spots an elven woman behind a desk. She seemed to be fazed by Kenji's presence, her expression low as if frightened. He approached her slowly.

  "A room, please."

  "Um... sure. Just ten gold."

  "I only have nine."

  She hesitated to allow Kenji to stay, but then her gaze turned to the girl. She felt empathy and nodded to Kenji. He handed the nine gold to her, and she led them to their room.

  Kenji entered the room and examined it. There was a window, which he noted just in case they needed to escape. There was also a dresser, which Kenji knew might have some stuff others forgot and had left here. Then there was only one bed. Kenji approached it and laid the girl onto the soft furs, causing her to instinctively caress them in her slumber. Something twisted in his chest. Pity? Empathy? He shoved it down. He needed to get her to safety. Taking her to Rombart wasn't likely a good idea, but leaving her to be hunted by the elves wasn't right either. He thought about it, but then he thought.

  Wait, am I really about to risk so much for this girl. I don't even know her. No, I can't just leave her here. I probably killed the only ones protecting her. I must get her to a safe place. I owe her that much.

  Kenji went downstairs, seeing the woman from before. He approached her, causing her to shift uncomfortably.

  "Thanks..." Kenji spoke. "We've... been through a lot."

  "Of course," she replied. "You're welcome to stay all night, and all day if you must."

  "Yeah... about that. Do you know where we can go... you know, to get away from the war?"

  "I suppose Simulhuya would be best, though it's all the way north."

  "Is it past Death Valley?"

  "Yes, sir. Temperatures there reach far below freezing, especially in winter."

  Kenji sighed. "Then I need another way."

  "You could go to Frostport. You can take a ship from there to Snehah. That'll be within the same territory as Simulhuya."

  Kenji thought about it. Doing so would involve going across all Regalis territory, but he'd have better odds doing so than crossing Death Valley.

  "Fine. Thanks for the help."

  "Of course, sir."

  Kenji entered their room and saw the girl still asleep. He let out an exasperated sigh as he sat against the wall by the bed.

  Frostport. What the hell am I doing? Rombart will likely hunt me down the whole way there... I suppose I better get some rest. I'll need it.

  Meanwhile, at his desk, Rombart sat, looking at documents. Medals and achievements in the form of titled papers decorated his walls. He caressed his beard as he read them carefully, and then he grabbed a paper and looked at it. The paper had an illustration of Kenji with writing below - "500 Gold." Rombart smiled as he looked over the bounty poster.

  I think now is the right time. I can see it now. Kenji Remora, an escaped criminal from a cell in Castellum. Former soldier turned mercenary. It's perfect. And no one can question it. After all, all those guards in that prison ended up dead in his breakout. I may have done the killing, but I'm sure Kenji won't mind taking fault for that.

  This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  Rombart laughed with a wide grin.

  Finally, I'm going to get exactly what I deserve. Everything I've ever wanted. The gold. The recognition. I'll be famous and celebrated as a legend amongst these petulant people.

  Rombart got up and opened his door, looking down the hall just outside his office. He walked down to a room at the end and saw a Regalis soldier. He handed him Kenji's bounty poster.

  "Take this down to the bounty office, make sure them spread it across the empire. I want every town and village to have at least ten of these."

  "Yes, sir. Anything else?"

  "Yes, gather up a convoy for me. We're hunting this criminal down."

  "Of course, sir."

  The soldier ran off as Rombart's grin formed despite his effort in trying to stay composed.

  Seventeen years ago, a young Kenji, only ten years old, woke up and sat on the edge of his bed. He rubbed his eyes and then broke into a yawn. His door opened, and a man stood before him. He looked a lot like Kenji in the present, yet he had a well-kempt, short beard and a scar on his left cheek just below his eye.

  "Come now, Kenji. It's time you learned the way of seafaring, eh, son?"

  "Yes, Father," Kenji responded with a smile as he got up.

  Kenji and his father went onto the deck of the ship. The large ship looked amazing as it was made from mahogany. The figurehead was that of a demon's face as if meant to ward off potential enemies. There were other fathers teaching their sons how to properly sail a ship. Duos stood at the helm, looking over the edge of the ship, studying currents. More were at the sails with fathers teaching his sons how to adjust them. There were other performing tasks such as meal rationing and ship maintenance. All in all, there were about forty sons and forty fathers. Kenji looked to his father, then a voice cut through the air.

  "Hiro!" He called out, approaching them. The man was quite big with a bushy beard and his hair tied in a ponytail. "What a glorious day to spend with our sons."

  "Agreed. Kenji here must learn more than the blade to be a mighty samurai."

  "Ah, yes, Kenji. How are you, friend?"

  The man held his hand out, and Kenji took his hand and shook it.

  "Such a strong one. He has all the other young ones beat in sword play. Unmatched, I'd say. You must be proud, Hiro."

  "Of course," Hiro replied, wrapping his arm tightly around Kenji in a side hug. "As soon as he learns the bow, he'll be the finest warrior in Shimajima. Much like his father, of course."

  His father chuckled a bit, and then the man left to help his son with meal rationing. Suddenly, one of the other boys approached them.

  "Mr. Remora, my father told me to tell you a storm is brewing up ahead. It's eastward."

  Hiro smiled. "Then I suppose we'll head west."

  "Yes, sir!"

  Hiro turned to Kenji and placed his hand around his shoulders. "Come now, son. Let's take the helm."

  Later that day, storm clouds began to appear overhead. Hiro looked up in confusion as everyone scrambled around him - adjusting sails and tying down anything not worth losing. The wind was blowing strong, the salty spray of seawater hitting their faces relentlessly. The ship thrashed against the sea, causing some to hold onto railing.

  "I don't understand. Didn't you say the storm was eastward?" Hiro asked as he faced toward the father of that boy from earlier.

  "No, Hiro! I said west! It was west!"

  "But..."

  "Perhaps my son made a mistake!"

  "Well, we're paying for it, now!"

  Hiro grabbed Kenji's hand and pulled him to go below deck.

  "Father, is everything alright?!"

  "No, Kenji! I need you to stay in the ship with the other boys!"

  "I'm scared!"

  Hiro turned and grabbed Kenji by the shoulders. "Don't be! A man is never afraid! Whatever you're feeling right now, son, push it down because, right now, survival is our focus! Understood?!"

  Kenji still had that frightened look upon his face as he watched his father head back onto the deck. Kenji sat with the other boys, who looked just as frightened as he was. Kenji felt an uneasy feeling as the ship rocked from side to side, causing the boys to smack into each other. Eventually, some began crying, and then a piece of the wall cracked, and water leaked through, filling the room slowly, then another, and then another. The room began to look unstable. Kenji ran toward the ladder and climbed it with the other boys following him. As he reached the top, the room below collapsed, taking each boy with it. Kenji watched in horror, trembling. Then he got onto the deck where his father grabbed him by the shoulders, tears somehow noticeable amongst the rain dripping down his face. The ship thrashed violently, and the storm was completely blinding, with strong winds slamming against their bodies. Lightning struck the unforgiving sea, and thunder roared loudly as if the gods themselves were fighting within the clouds. He began to speak, his voice shaky.

  "Listen, Kenji! This may be it, son! If you make it, return to your mother and never leave her side! I-I love you, son! I-I really l-love you!"

  Kenji looked at his father as tears welled up in his own eyes. His father pulled him in for a hug, but a wave suddenly took him away before Kenji's very eyes. Hiro was sent flying toward the edge of the ship as it tilted. Kenji held onto the door of the ship as he watched his father fall.

  "FATHER!" Kenji cried out.

  "I'm okay, son! We'll get through this!" Hiro shouted, but then they ship tilted over.

  Kenji watched his father get pulled into the sea, and then he saw the sea approach his vision and smacked right into it.

  Kenji suddenly woke up from his slumber on the floor. He sat up instantly in a fright, frantically searching the room with his gaze, then he calmed as he realized he was still in the inn. He looked over and saw the girl pressed against the wall with his knife pointed directly at him.

  Kenji stood up. He approached the girl and held his hand out.

  "Give it here."

  The girl shook her head in defiance. Kenji looked at her, still shaken from his nightmare. His face twisted slightly in anger.

  "I said give it," Kenji demanded as he attempted to pry it from her small hand.

  Immediately, the girl began screaming, and Kenji gave up instantly. Looking down at her, it was evident they were both pissed off at the other.

  "Fine. Keep the damn knife," he said through clenched teeth.

  Something seemed to catch the girl's ear, causing her to look at the door. Kenji turned, acknowledging her caution. He approached the door and opened it carefully, crouching as he left the room. Then, he heard voices. He crept his way down the staircase, just enough to see downstairs. He saw two elf soldiers talking to the innkeeper. She seemed to point at the stairs, and Kenji immediately knew she what she was telling them.

  Kenji quickly snuck back into the room, shutting the door quietly behind him. He held a finger to his lips as he faced the girl. She looked confused but thought silence might be recommended as Kenji show signs of caution. Kenji picked her up and held her out the window so she could climb onto the roof. He followed after her, climbing onto the slightly-slanted roof. Suddenly, the girl began screaming at some elf soldiers below.

  "Sahayyam! Sahayyam!"

  Kenji quickly grabbed her, picking her up and clamping her mouth shut. Her muffled screams could still be heard as Kenji ran across the rooftop. Bolts of fire flew past him as he reached the end of the roof toward a stable, but then, two elf soldiers climbed onto the roof, blocking his path. Kenji dropped the girl and drew his katana.

  "Unhand the girl! She belongs to the Elven Empire!"

  "Over my dead corpse."

  "That can be easily arranged."

  The elf swiftly extended his hand, launching a fire bolt at Kenji, but he managed to slice through it. Though the flames still hit his face slightly – he felt their sting.

  The other elf wasted no time, swinging at Kenji with practiced precision, but Kenji dodged each strike, then swept his leg under the elf's feet, causing him to trip. Kenji went for the kill as the elf fell prone, but the other elf interfered. With a sudden downward slash, the elf swung his sword, but Kenji caught it with his own, their blades clashing between them. Without a second to spare, Kenji delivered a swift kick to the elf's abdomen, throwing him off balance. Kenji went for a killing blow, but instinctively stepped to the side with the other elf's sword grazing his waist. A bit of blood dripped slightly from his side.

  Now, both elves were standing. The both attacked swiftly with a downward swing, but Kenji managed to block both with his katana. One of the elves followed with a stab as the other kept Kenji busy. Kenji swayed around the blade, barely avoiding it. With a grunt, Kenji dropped on his back and rolled away swiftly. The elves turned to him only to see Kenji with a sheathed blade, his hand tightly gripping the hilt. The elves looked confused, but then they sharpened their focus, rushing toward him. In less than a second, Kenji's katana swung, slicing through both of their waists. Both elves' torsos laid upon the roof. Kenji showed them mercy with a thrust to the heart for each one.

  Kenji looked for the girl, who had attempted to flee by running in the opposite direction of the stable. Kenji ran and grabbed her as she kicked and screamed. Ignoring her pleas, he ran toward the stable and landed on its roof. He swung below it, landing on a horse. The girl continued to kick and scream as she was placed in front of Kenji as he rode the horse away from Manohara.