Act IV. Part V.

The day had come to an end as it always did. Toshiko walked out of the school gates and as per usual his driver was waiting for him. Toshiko raised his head to stare at the cluster of clouds above him.

"Greetings young master. You are needed urgently at the house." Said the driver as he bowed his head.

Toshiko looked into the driver's eyes for what felt like a minute, he then whispered something under his breath before he raised his head again.

"Pardon me, young master?" His driver asked expectantly.

"It gets boring doesn't it?" Toshiko repeated without turning to face the driver.

"Whatever do you mean?" The driver asked once again, now even more confused.

"The repetition."

"Forgive me young master, I'm simply doing what I'm instructed to. Is there something you'd like me to do?"

"No, don't get me wrong, you have nothing to do with it." Toshiko lightly laughed as he turned to face the driver. "I've gotten used to the monotony of my life, one step up, one step down. Nothing happens and if anything does its business as usual the next moment. Maybe I'm overthinking it and there's no pattern, but I'm not. I've seen this pattern my entire life, in myself and my family.

Surprisingly, well it isn't surprising that grandfather's the only one to break out of our family's cycle of repetition and mediocrity. And after all his achievements he's going mad now so there's that." Toshiko chuckled.

"You'd think the grandson of one of the greatest military generals would be living a comfortable life, well I am. Maybe I'm just being ungrateful and spoiled looking for more. I'm sure you're even confused about where this is coming from. It may seem 'out of character' but this has been me for the longest. But what else can I do but keep going in the same repetitive pattern? As wrong as this sounds, I wish those strange things continued happening to us…

It's been well over two months and no talk of the gods or any of that. Even though I am cynical towards how true what we've been told, I'd be a fool to deny the obvious parts even though I don't really believe in the gods. But that's all gone now…back…to…regular…programming I guess."

"Yes, young master?" The driver asked anxiously. "I had asked if there was anything you wanted me to do and you blankly stared at me. Is something wrong?"

Toshiko smiled, "Nothing at all." He said as he walked to the door that the driver quickly opened. "What am I needed for at the house?"

"Apologies I wasn't told anything apart from urgently picking you up."

"Odd. Let's quickly leave then."

"As you wish."

. . . . . . .

"Your grandfather awaits you." Said Han with her head bowed and her hands clasped by the main entrance.

Toshiko, who had just entered, made a slightly frustrated expression, "What are you doing? Raise your head, and what is this about?" He asked.

She did not raise her head nor answer him. She instead got up and took the bag off his shoulder and walked away.

He stared at Han, completely confused. He walked down the entrance corridor. The floor and the walls were made up of mostly wooden tiles but the walls had long panes of glass in the middle on both sides. Outside the windows, we're gardens that went on till other sections of the house, and we're illuminated by the lights from the lamps that hang from the trees and fountains in the area.

As he walked down the wide corridor, he was met by a servant who took his blazer off, and later another who took his tie off, and another who rolled up his sleeves, and finally one who took his shoes off.

He walked until he exited the house and reached the dojo. The sliding doors were all open and there was no sign of light from the inside. Toshiko walked into the dojo as it was colder than the outside. The only source of light came from the outside, which left peering shadows in the room. He wasted no time and quickly picked up a bamboo sword from the rack.

He slowly walked to the end of the room, to the only doors that were closed. Toshiko pushed the doors open with his left hand leaving his right to drag behind with the bamboo sword.

His grandfather sat facing the now-ripped mural. Toshiko didn't stop to sit with him as he always did but continued to catwalk towards him with both hands now on the sword.

"Drop the sword." Said Toshiko's grandfather.

Toshiko immediately dropped it, "What's this about if we're not sparring?"

"Sit."

"Grandfather what's th—"

"Sit." He repeated.

Toshiko did as he was told.

"I'm sick Toshiko…"

"How? You're perfectly healthy for your age." He asked with a worried expression.

"It's not my body, but up here." He said as he pointed at his head. "What happened this morning has been going on for a while now, I keep having these… episodes, violent episodes. The medical council of the Isochron diagnosed them as 'reliving trauma '. But I've managed to resist when these episodes happen but it was worse this time. I could have killed you."

"What are you trying to say? Why aren't you facing me?" Toshiko asked with tears in his eyes.

"Who knows." His grandfather responded with a laugh.

"Grandfather!" Toshiko shouted.

"Do not raise your voice at me!" His grandfather responded in a louder and heavier voice.

Toshiko was shaken just by his voice, he remained silent in the dark dojo. Toshiko's grandfather picked up the scabbard he had by his side and stood to his feet. He slowly turned to face Toshiko.

"I'm leaving for everyone's sake… and as selfish as it may sound, especially for mine. It's taken a long time for my conscience to clear, and I won't ruin that because I was stubborn. If only you knew half of what I've done for the Isochron." He said with a serious expression with the soft tone and light chuckles we're gone. "Stand up Toshiko!"

Toshiko quickly stood up, "Yes grandfather?"

"You will answer with 'I will', and if not leave and change you will be stripped of all your names." He said as he glared at him.

Toshiko gulped and closed his eyes. He slowly exhaled as he opened his eyes, regaining composure.

"I'm ready." Said Toshiko.

His grandfather pulled his sword from its scabbard and the sound of it cutting through the air filled the room and pointed it at him. The sword gleamed like it was made of moonlight as it reflected the light from outside.

"You will take over the house and maintain our line and name!" His grandfather shouted.

"I will!" Toshiko said with a fierce expression.

As soon as he answered the tip of the sword moved closer to his chest.

"Rule your subjects with kindness and punish your enemies viscously!"

"I will!" He shouted as the sword drew closer but he did not spare it any attention and remained meeting his grandfather's eyes.

"Do not let naivete, pride, and emotions cloud your judgment!"

"Yes, grandfather!"

"Where you are lacking, let your aides make up for it but never show them weakness. You are strong Toshiko but you are spoiled, humble yourself before the gods find a way to humble you!"

"Yes, grandfather!"

The sword was now touching his throat. The coldness of the blade made his throat quake.

"Our family exists to serve the people, if you lose your way, take your own life or our descendants will suffer for your sins! Now grab the sword!"

Toshiko didn't break eye contact with his grandfather, grabbed the edge of the blade tightly and the moment he did blood ran down from his fist and the sword.

"I swear it!"

His grandfather let go of the sword, the hilt slowly fell until it faced the ground. Toshiko gritted his teeth and yelled- it wasn't one filled with agony although he was in pain. It was triumphant... It was a battle cry.

Toshiko gripped the blade even harder and flung the sword, till it spun. Once the hilt faced him and the hilt faced him he caught it in mid-air and immediately slashed the air sending all of the blood to splatter on the floor.

"You are now the head of the Tokugawa household. Now come." Said his grandfather as he walked towards the Mural and knelt.

Toshiko followed his grandfather as blood continued to spill out from the wide cut on his palm. He stuck the sword into the floor and leaned on it.

"May the gods bless this reign." Prayed his grandfather.

"May the gods bless my reign." Said Toshiko faintly.

end