The Academy

That night, Reniko sat in the main room of their cottage in front of a blazing fire sipping tea with his mother. The two had been talking ever since they returned from the temple; Saishi thrilled her son would be attending Lalniara. A blazing fire was roaring in their fireplace.

“ I attended the same school all those winters ago,” she had told him. Then, to celebrate, she made a cinnamon and berry pie. Although Reniko had enjoyed the large slice she had carved for him, while he had enjoyed it, the pie had reminded him he would be leaving him in the morning. He tried not to frown, but his mother caught the expression on his face.

“ What’s wrong, son?” she asked. Reniko sighed and looked at her.

“ I’m… nervous,” he admitted. “ I look forward to the academy, I do. But, what if I’m not good enough? What if I mess up?” His mother held his gaze for a moment, then smiled softly.

“ That is perfectly normal to think. I thought the same before I left. But I know you’ll be okay, Reniko. You will do fine in the Academy. However, there is something I need you to promise me,” she said, the smile leaving her face. “ As you know, your grandfather is the Grandmaster of the Academy. So I need you to promise me you will not abuse the bond the two of you have.”

“ But why?” Reniko questioned. “ What is wrong with indulging in the privileges I have been awarded by birth?” His mother stared at him hard.

“ A true warrior has no need to claim the accompaniments of others as his own. He forges his own legacy, not one off the backs of those already established. I want you to be yourself, not act in a way you feel you must due to something you cannot control, such as your birth. Do you understand?”

“ I guess so,” Reniko said, looking down. His mother smiled.

“ Good, I’m glad we got that sorted. Now you best get to bed. You leave at first light.” Reniko nodded and stood up, bowing his head to his mother, then went off to his chambers.

Reniko stood at the entrance of the village, enjoying the fresh dawn air. The vegetation surrounding him was soaked with morning dew. Reniko ran throughout the village; besides himself, none were stirring. No animals nor villagers. Even the birds were silent. Reniko ran to his small cottage and hurried inside, eager to see his mother. However, he was greeted with a gruesome sight.

His mother lay lifeless, a score of arrows having been embedded into her body. Before Reniko could even process this, the cottage suddenly became engulfed in hot searing flame. Reniko choked on the smoke and backed up, needing to get out, but he couldn’t leave his mother there! He had to move her body! Just then, the transparent form of a woman appeared before his eyes, standing next to his mother with blazing blue eyes.

“ Only He who bears the Curse can save us all,” she said in a voice that sounded as if three people were speaking at once.

“ What?!” Reniko asked, growing more confused and frightened.

“ Wake up… wake up….”

“ … Wake up!” Reniko woke up with a start to see his mother standing over him. “ You’ll be late if you swaddle any longer. Hurry, get dressed, and ready. Take nothing with you; you won’t be needing anything.” Reniko wordlessly slowly began to get ready for the day. As he washed in a nearby stream, put on a fresh kimono, he reflected on his nightmare. It had seemed so real; he could feel the heat and the sting of embers on his cheek.

“ Reniko!” His mother called harshly. Reniko hurried out of his room into the dining area, where fried rice, broiled fish, and fresh tea awaited him. With a nod of thanks to his mother, Reniko sat down. He picked at his food, mind weighed by his dream and the fact he would be leaving home for six years today.

“ What is it, son?” Saishi asked, picking at her food as well. “ Is it the Academy?” Reniko nodded, still looking at his food. He didn’t want to admit his dream had frightened him. He wasn’t supposed to be a boy anymore; he was supposed to be a man now. Men went to the academy, boys stayed and worked a trade, being forgotten about.

“ You’ll be fine, my dear. I promise,” Saishi promised with a warm smile before reaching into her Kimono. “ I got you something,” she said, extending a closed fist towards her son. Reniko cupped his hands together as Saishi dropped something. Curious, Reniko examined the item. It was a jade tortoise pendant with a silver chain.

“ This will ensure our ancestors watch over you at the Academy,” his mother explained. “ Put it on.” Obeying Reniko unclasped the chain and put it around his neck. His mother stood up and helped me clasp it again. She stepped back and looked at her son.

“ Look at you, my little man,” she said smiling. “ Now eat up and hurry! They won’t wait for you.” Reniko did as he was told, forcing himself to eat and drink his tea. Once he was done, he stood and met his mother outside. She smiled at him and led the way towards the entrance of the village. As Reniko followed her, he nodded to those that nodded to him; the morning air crisp and cool; despite it being springtime, Reniko could see his breath.

When they came to the village entrance, Reniko saw the crowd of kids and parents that had attended The Selection. Standing in front of them with a row of carriages behind him was a Usodori Shadow Warden wearing his black heavy plate armor and black bear cape. In his hand was a scroll. He was old, old to be a soldier; wrinkles lined his face, long silver hair flowed past his shoulders. He lifted the scroll in the sunlight and squinted his pale blue eyes.

“ When I call your name, step past and get in a wagon. Quickly, we don’t have all day.” The old warrior said in a gruff voice and began to call out names. Reniko watched as children gave their parents one last hug, the last contact any of them would have with each other for years before leaving to board a carriage.

“ Reniko Doraki!” Reniko jumped as he heard his name called. Then, with a start, Reniko looked at the Shadow Warden. “ Well, move on along, lad,” he said. “ While it’s still morning.” Reniko turned to face his mother, who had knelt so she could meet his gaze.

“ Well, this is it,” she said briskly, but Reniko could see the tears in her eyes. He was startled; he had never even come close to shedding tears. She brought him in close for a tight hug and whispered in his ear. “ Go make me proud.”

“ I will,” Reniko whispered back, feeling his own eyes glisten with tears. Grumbling, he wiped his eyes with the sleeve of his kimono. He couldn’t let the others see. Once he was content, he pulled away and walked towards the wagon. He hopped on the closest wagon and looked at the three other kids. Although he recognized their faces, he didn’t know them by name. Just as well, he didn’t feel like talking, and by looking at their sullen faces, they didn’t either.

The remaining children boarded the wagons. Once the old soldier gave the order, the sound of cracking reigns and shouts ordering the horses to move filled the air from those controlling the carriages. The horses whined a little but began to walk, pulling the carriages. Reniko turned to look at the village he had been born and raised in. Soon he wouldn’t see it anymore, and he wanted to look at it for as long as possible. Even when his carriage turned right, and he could no longer see the village, he just stared.

The carriage ride lasted all day, mostly in silence. No one said anything, not the kids, the Shadow Wardens that drove the wagons, or the Shadow Wardens accompanying them on horseback. They traveled on thin dirt trails through dense forest with trees so high Reniko thought they must surely touch the clouds. The morning soon passed to midday which then faded to evening. Reniko’s stomach growled; they had minimal stops during the journey and short ones at that. How much further were they to go? The sun was starting to set when the carriages slowed to a close.

“ All of you, out.” Came the command. Reniko and the other kids obeyed gleefully, eager to get out of their wagons. They grouped together and collectively gasped when they saw their destination for the first time. With its back facing a cliff face and the front facing the dense forest the children came from, Eleven thin, square towers piercing the sky were connected by high, wide walls made of green stone. Elegant windows were scattered generously around the walls in seemingly perfect symmetry, along with holes of various sizes for archers and artillery. A great gate with tall wooden doors, a regular bridge, and a moat guarded the only easy way across the river. Giant statues of heroes and legendary Khans decorated the bridge outside, memories of glories of the past. One of the Shadow Wardens chuckled, seeing the awed expression of the children.

“ Welcome to The Academy. If you think that’s impressive, wait till you see the inside,” he said. “ Come along then; I’m sure the Grandmaster and the instructors are looking forward to meeting you.” The Usodori warrior led the way across the drawbridge inside The Academy. The Warrior hadn’t been lying; the inside indeed was grand. Reniko followed the group as they walked through a massive hall whose walls served as a mural of a warrior fighting a Feobis, a horrific hybrid of a goat and dragon. Once they came to a large pair of solid oak double doors, The Shadow Warden pushed them open to reveal a magnificent room.

Huge braziers at the bottoms of each of the twelve soapstone columns lit up the room and radiated warmth. The countless gems on the slanted ceiling danced in the flickering light while statuettes and marble icons looked down upon the grey wood floor of this regal hall.

A vermilion rug splits the entire room in half from the doors to a large gray marble table where several people sat, looking at the children. Red and black banners with embellished borders and roaring bears dangled gently from the walls. Between each banner stood several tapers of various sizes; many of them had been lit and, in turn, illuminated the artistic depictions of great warriors below them. Veils shrouded huge windows colored the same as the banners. The curtains had been adorned with impressive needlework and embellished borders. Three long stone tables with mountains of fresh food awaited the children, the smell wafting in Reniko’s nose.

One of the people stood up. From his sharp posture, Reniko could tell it was his grandfather, the Grandmaster of The Academy. Standing 6' 6" tall, this olive-skinned man had a commanding feel about him.

He had a triangular face with a cleft chin, a broad nose, small lips, and small brown eyes. He had been naturally bald for several years. He had long arms and large hands, a powerful torso, narrow hips, short legs, and narrow feet. He wore a dark black armored robe, black leather gloves, and black leather boots.

“ Welcome, Initiates!” He called in a booming voice, “ To the rest of your lives!” He motioned to the food on the table. “ Go on, eat. I’m sure you must be hungry.” The children did not need to be told twice as they sat down and began to pile food on bronze plates. Reniko scooped rice, cucumbers, roasted potatoes, and roast chicken on his plate and filled his tankard with tea. Distracted as the children were with their food, the Grandmaster was able to hold their attention.

“ You sit in these hallowed halls that have taken young boys and girls such as yourselves and turned them into mighty Usodori Shadow Wardens. For the next six years, this will be your home. You eat in order of seniority here. First are the sixth years, then the fifth years, and so on until it comes back to you. Then, when you hear the gong ring seven times, you will be permitted to take your meals here. Your classes begin at first light and will continue until the sun begins to set. After that, the day is yours. But you must be in your dorms by the time the moon rises and may not leave during this time unless it is to use the chamber pot. You are free to explore the grounds if you so wish but be warned, we are not in the village. Should you anger a wild beast, you will have to fend it off unless one of my warriors hears your cries for help.”

The Grandmaster moved to stand in front of the table. “ Behind me are your instructors. Their word is the law, and you will all obey the law here, or else. While you are here, you will earn your keep. You are first years, so you will take the brunt of the dull and tedious work. Scrubbing the floors, cleaning the windows, cleaning the bathhouses, seeing the dishes after meals, taking care of the grounds, amongst others. Every day at breakfast, there will be a list of who does what chores when.

Of course, you will still be expected to keep on top of your courses. If you fall behind, you will be removed; if you are removed, you will never be a Shadow Warden.” The Grandmaster stopped and looked at the children. “ Many of you sitting here right now won’t even last the year. Even less will wind up graduating. Some of you will be dead. Many of you will drop out and run away.”

The Grandmaster smiled, “ If you mean to become Shadow Wardens, then show us what exceptional Shadow Wardens you can be.” Reniko felt nervous, scared even, but more than that, determined. “ I’ll be one of those that graduate. I swear upon my life,” he vowed to himself. He fingered the pendant he wore around his neck. “ And I’ll do my best to make you proud, mother.”

The following day Reniko stifled a yawn as he sat in the back of a small instruction room. The only reason he had found the instruction room in time was because he had been unable to sleep the night before. So he just laid on his small cot, staring at the ceiling. The dorm room was one large circular room with cots and some closet space where fresh clothing was kept for each first-year boy, identified by their name, tapped above the door. Giving up on sleep long before first light, Reniko had gone to the bathhouse and prepared for the day. From there, he decided to search for the instruction room for first years, wanting to commit the way there to memory.

The door opened, and a 5' 7'' tall, fair-skinned man with an unassuming feel about him entered the instruction room, marching to the front. He had a strange burn mark on his left ear; he had a broad face with a pointed chin, a large nose, large ears, bony cheeks, and full lips. His light green eyes were close-set, and he had thick eyebrows and had short, straight, brown hair slicked back. Reniko recognized him as one of those who were sitting at the Master’s table. The man looked at the children.

“ I am Master Moriyaki, and for your first year, I shall be your instructor. You will obey my commands at all times, you will show up on time for my lessons, and you will not cause me any trouble. Getting on my bad side, and you will wish you never came here.” He took a moment to fix the group of first years with a hard stare. “ I am here to introduce you to the world of the Usodori Meideir. I will not mince words; most of your first year will be spent in my instruction room; you will only be taught the basics of combat.

But before I can teach you anything, I must go over The Code of Zadiam our great spirit bear, the Stiea’i.” Master Moriyaki opened a scroll reverently and began to read. “ The Usodori is loyal to the clan only and Zadiam. The Usodori never shys away from battle. The Usodori does not accept defeat. The Usodori live with honor, respect, and dignity. The Usodori look after those in the clan unable to defend themselves. The Usodori never spare an enemy. If any fail in their duty, their blades are broken, and they shall be banished.”

Carefully Master Moriyaki rolled the scroll up and put it away. He took a deep breath before speaking again. “ The Usodori have been here since the dawn of the Third Age, mere years after the conclusion of the Second Age. You!” He said, suddenly looking at a child in the front.

“ Y.. yes sir?!” The boy stammered.

“ Are you aware of the Second Age?” Master Moriyaki asked.

“ I’ve heard of it, but… I… I don’t know,” the boy stammered once more. Master Moriyaki sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

“ They come less informed every year,” he grumbled before looking at the child. “ That’ll be fifty push-ups.” Finally, the child stood up with a resigned sigh, moved to the side of the room, and began his punishment as Master Moriyaki addressed the rest of the children.

“ The Second Age was when this world was ruled by those known as the R’urkahr. Beings of terrible power, full of malice, caused the First Age’s end, the Age of the Gods. You may know that ever since the First Age, none have heard anything from the supposed gods, if they ever existed, to begin with. That, of course, is up for debate. For sure, all we know is at the start of the Third Age; our kind was nearly wiped out due to the warlord, Inda. If it were not for The Great Spirit Bear, Zadiam not appearing before our founder and first Khan, Akio Shoda, none of us would be here today.” A hand was raised in the air, and Master Moriyaki nodded.

“ Master, forgive my interruption, but if I may ask, whatever happened to the R’urkahr?”

“ A most excellent question, young Initiate. The Curse-Bearer sealed them away.” Seeing the blank looks, Master Moriyari grumbled. “ I can see I’ve lost you. The Curse-Bearer. The Great Bridge throughout the Ages. The Curse-Bearer was first born in the First Age and has been reborn during a time of great tribulation. It is said whenever the Curse-Bearer is born, the end of the current Age is coming, and only the correct choice can save us all. However, whoever that is must be cursed to share in that duty alone.”

“ How is that a curse?” Asked an overly eager student who did not wait for permission to speak. Master Moriyari chose not to comment on it and answered the question.

“ Solitude is enough to drive one mad. Or it can cause depression to fall upon the strongest warrior and cause him to rot inside. But what I meant by the Curse-Bearer must bear it alone is this. Every Curse-Bearer has lived to see each and every single one of their loved ones dies in front of their eyes, indirectly by their hand. That is the true curse.” The room was silent for a few moments; students looked at each other in amazement before Reniko raised his hand, waiting for permission to speak.

“ Yes?” Master Moriyari asked.

“ Forgive me, Master,” Reniko began, “ But where is the Curse-Bearer now?”

“ There hasn’t been one ever since the start of the Third Age and may Zadiam grant there never is one. There have been only two Curse-Bearers, and each time, the end of the Age has come to pass. Were one to be born now, it would mean the end for us all. And with that thought, it seems it’s Intermission time. Meaning you all need to do your morning chores. Hurry to it; the faster you get them down, the faster we finish for the morning here, meaning you’ll be having a hot breakfast sooner than before.” As the children filed out of the instruction room, Reniko was deep in thought. Why had all that talk of the Curse-Bearer sound so familiar?

During the following weeks, Reniko settled into a routine. He would wake up, prepare for the day and go to the instruction room for the first half of the morning lecture, then do his morning chores during Intermission. After the second half of the lecture, he would eat what was usually a stone-cold breakfast. He would then have a couple of hours of free time before the midday lecture, followed by Second Intermission and more chores. After the Midday meal, Reniko had a few hours to himself before the evening lecture, Evening Intermission, which meant even more chores then the second half of the lecture. After the final lecture meant the evening meal except for those assigned extra chores as punishment.

Reniko sighed as he scrubbed hard at the arena training floor. The evening lecture had been instruction in the Usodori hand-to-hand combat method, Kye-Kyoutta. Unfortunately, he had done terribly, the worst in the class, not managing to win a single sparring session. As a result, Master Moriyaki had demanded he scrub the training arena floor in its entirety five times over before he left. The evening’s failure was indicative of how his first few weeks had been at The Academy thus far. He was far from the best student; while his bookwork was passable, he was no match for the others due to his small stature. If he didn’t improve, he could be in danger of being thrown out.

A splash made him look up. He saw three fourth years standing on his wooden floor, having kicked the bucket over. The trio laughed, impressed by their own perceived cleverness. Reniko bit his tongue as he slowly stood up. This was the sort of treatment first years got. The older students always went out of their way to pick on the first years because they knew the retaliation would be minimal. Suddenly the world went dark, someone had placed the now empty bucket on his head, and Reniko felt someone push him. He landed hard on his side as the laughter grew in howling. Reniko stayed out, hoping if he just laid there, they did get bored and go away.

“ What is the meaning of this?!” Boomed an angry voice. The laughter was cut short as big quick footsteps approached Reniko and took off the bucket. Reniko looked up to see his grandfather, who whirled on Reniko’s tormentors. “ If I ever see you there doing anything like this again, I will expel you all on the slot, do you understand?! Now leave!”

The three boys nodded and hurried out of the training arena. The Grandmaster turned to face Reniko.

“ As for you… Reniko, is it?” He shook his head angrily. “ Master Moriyari told me I’d find you here. He also has told me of the mediocre start you’ve had here. I was hoping to find you so we could talk, and when I find you, I see you letting three commoners bully you when you are of noble blood.” The Grandmaster shook his head again. “ And yet you dare use the Doraki name.”

“ I’ll do better!” Reniko said, trying to keep his voice level. “ And the reason I don’t act like a noble is that -.” Suddenly The Grandmaster grabbed Reniko by the collar and hoisted him up.

“ Oh yes, I know all about that boy. Your mother, my daughter, never really cared for noble life, not even now. But that doesn’t excuse your pitiful performances here! Or the fact you disgrace the family by allowing things like that,” he nodded towards the empty bucket, “ You should be tracking those boys down and forcing them to apologize. But, you curled up and waited for it to get better.”

The Grandmaster’s eyes searched Reniko intensely. “ If you dare to call yourself Doraki, you will be the best and only the best! Do I make myself clear?”

“ Y… yes sir,” Reniko stammered.

“ Good. If you are truly my grandson, if you are truly of the Doraki bloodline, You’ll be the best, or nothing at all,” The Grandmaster snarled, letting him go, Reniko hitting the hardwood door hard. “ Do not disappoint me.”