The Shadows of Tragedy

Disclaimer: This content contains mature themes, intense scenes, and graphic violence that may not be suitable for all readers. It is intended for adults aged 18 and above. Reader discretion is advised. This chapter includes depictions of violence, bloodshed, and psychological distress. If you are sensitive to such content, it is recommended to skip this chapter.

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Amidst our conversation, an alarming noise, like a distant murmur, disrupted the moment's serenity. Slowly but relentlessly, it grew into a cacophony of cries and anguished screams, infiltrating our ears and unsettling our hearts. Father's gaze met mine, a silent exchange of concern that foretold the impending storm.

In the midst of mounting chaos, the thunderous hoofbeats of horses bore down upon us, their rhythm an eerie prelude to the unknown horrors. Swish! The door swung open, revealing a horrifying tableau. My elder brother Taro stood before us, a chilling specter cloaked in blood. His body bore the scars of countless cuts and wounds, painting a gruesome portrait of the ordeal he had endured. My voice lodged in my throat as I took in the nightmarish sight.

"TARO!" Father's voice, a thunderclap in the tumultuous night, shattered the silence, snapping me out of my stupor. The harsh reality of our situation crashed upon me, leaving me in numb disbelief.

"Oniisan!!" My voice quivered as I beheld blood trickling down from Taro's battered armor, and my eyes welled up with tears.

"Run... To the forest... Take everyone with you!" Taro's voice trembled as he coughed up fresh blood. He pointed toward me, his eyes wide with terror, and then crumpled to the ground. Father, quick as a flash, was there to catch him before he hit the dirt, cradling his wounded son in his arms.

"Taro! TARO! MY SON. WHAT'S GOING ON!?" Father's anguished cry filled the air, echoing my confusion and fear.

"Wa... War..." Taro's voice wavered, teetering on the brink of consciousness. His body, battered and bloodied, rested heavily against Father's support. Beneath them, a pool of his lifeblood continued to grow.

Once filled with concern, Father's gaze now darkened with grim determination. My own body trembled with shock, but I remained immobile.

"Go round, everyone. Head to the forest at the training grounds!" Father's urgent command pulled me from my stupor, pointing me to safety.

However, my eyes remained fixed on Taro's dire condition. The shock had taken hold of me, rendering my limbs almost useless. My brain sent commands to my body, but it refused to respond. Father's urgency finally cut through the haze of horror.

"GO!"

BAM! The sharp sting of a bamboo stick striking my thighs propelled me into motion. Tears welled up in my eyes from the pain, and I blinked them back. Father had never resorted to physical discipline before, but the severity of the situation left no room for hesitation. I nodded, and as my strength slowly returned, I sprinted into action.

In the kitchen, I grabbed Mother and Yuko's hands, my breathless words pushing them into immediate action. "Forest. Run. Now." My body was a whirlwind of motion, but my mind lagged, still grappling with the shock of seeing Taro's battered form.

Fear shimmered in their eyes as the gravity of the situation sank in. They didn't need further explanation. Without a moment's hesitation, they left everything behind. Mother hurried to the rooms to collect essential belongings while Yuko darted to the back of the house. Hana, however, was nowhere to be found. Once their tasks were complete, they both went to the backyard.

Racing to my room, I retrieved my dagger and, with bated breath, whispered a silent plea to Mamoru, my ever-faithful protector. "Protect my family and me," I implored within my thoughts.

Swish! The door burst open, and Father stood before me, holding two additional samurai swords.

My arms trembled under the weight of the Katana and Wakizashi, the gravity of the situation settling in. "You still have the manual, right!?" Father's voice quivered with an urgency that mirrored the unfolding chaos.

I nodded and revealed the manual, lifting my shirt to display it. The book was tucked securely beneath my shirt, fastened with a cloth string to prevent it from falling.

"Good... Very good. Here are the other two manuals. They will complete your training. Hold onto these." Father handed over two more manuals, emphasizing their importance.

"O... Otousan. Why are you giving me all of these?" My voice trembled as tears welled up in my eyes. The raw emotion of the moment was almost overwhelming.

Father's silence spoke volumes. It was a silence I dreaded, one laden with unspoken words, and it hung heavily in the air, bearing the weight of finality.

"This... This letter will help you if anything happens... Happens to your mother and me..." Father's voice trembled as he handed me a sealed letter. I accepted it with a heavy heart, understanding the unspoken truth in the air.

I clutched the letter tightly, its weight reflecting the moment's gravity. The importance of the words unspoken between us filled me with dread.

"Survive!" Father's grip on my shoulders was firm, his eyes burning with intensity. "You hear me! Now go!" With a forceful push, Father propelled me toward the back door, and I stumbled into a frantic run.

I sprinted as fast as my legs could, the swords weighing me down. My petite frame strained under the burden, but my determination fueled me. The urgency of the situation demanded no less.

As I ran, I passed through a nightmarish scene of bloodshed, bodies strewn across the village. The weight of the swords felt heavier with each step.

Screams and cries echoed around me, and then, my heart lurched as I saw Hana in the Lord's embrace, lying amidst a pool of blood.

'Was it her blood? His blood? Other people's blood?' The chaotic scene overwhelmed my senses. Despite the relentless violence, Hana's laughter sent chills down my spine.

She found amusement in the suffering of others. Her gleaming eyes and chilling laughter struck a discordant note amidst the bloodshed.

Our eyes locked, and my heart raced. Her gaze seemed to pierce my very soul.

'She is not my sister.' A wave of realization washed over me. Her eerie smile, devoid of humanity, rooted me in place. I felt as if I had come face to face with a harbinger of death.

Did she point toward me? No, she gestured in the direction of our home. 'Father! Taro!' Terror gripped me as I comprehended her intentions.

It was as if I could read her mind. She smiled again after her conversation with the Lord, who had now moved out of earshot.

"NO!" I roared with all the might I could muster. Drawing my dagger from its sheath, I charged toward them, consumed by rage. But just as I closed in, an unexpected blow from behind sent me sprawling.

As I fell, I glimpsed two pairs of legs and the horses' hooves drawing near. My vision blurred, and my eyelids grew heavy. Despite my desperate efforts, they stubbornly refused to stay open. The last thing I saw was Hana's terrified expression before everything faded to black.