Chapter 9: Story

(Nate couldn't sleep that night. He got up to take a glass of water and surprisedly saw Tasha training outside; she swings her sword moving it in different directions. Nate was surprised and sits down for some moments to watch her. After the training, she pants and cleans her forehead as she was sweating. She saw Nate)

TASHA: Bro, aren't you gonna sleep?

NATE: What about you? Why are you training by this time of the night?

TASHA: Because I don't want to lose anymore. Yami is strong and I want to defeat him.

NATE: I see.

TASHA: Do you think humans are like that?

NATE: Huh, What

TASHA: Nevermind

NATE: He's not a human. (Tasha was surprised) Manipulators are keen to doing things magnificent. However they resolve to a difficult situation.

TASHA: You are smart, bro.

NATE: I've been reading lately since I want to know everything we all face in this world.

TASHA: Wow. I hope you will tell me everything on what you have learnt.

NATE: Yeah. By the way, how also we train together.

TASHA: (Smiles) Okay.

NATE: I hope one day we will be able to overcome situations just like dad.

TASHA: Dad.

NATE: Don't worry he's going to come home. Remember his promise.

TASHA: Yeah.

NATE: (Thought) Tasha must be worried about dad. I know he will come, he never fails his promise.

            (There was flashback)

["I and my sister went born into a noble clan of swordsmen, the Leighton clans and my father was the head. He was also a teacher who trained students to become warriors"]

(Nate was 16 years old while Tasha was 14 years old at that time)

FATHER: The swordsmanship is not about fighting; what I mean is you fight when you achieve something, it's all about what you believe. You don't fight without observing your surroundings. (Brings out his sword) When blocking, you incline your sword toward your face and quickly find his weakness. Once you do that, you will be able to find an opening to finished him off.

["We started training and I came out the best, same with my sister. Days later, my mother died of a strange illness as we later arranged the funeral and that was the same day I became a warrior. We go out for war and fought side-by-side against the enemies. We managed to dominate the southern region and overthrown the head. Days later after the war was over, my father organized a big party to welcome his warriors"]

["Two weeks later, I sat down outside looking up to the sky as the ruffling sound of leaves was made. The place was peaceful as they was no disturbance. Surprisedly, the silence broke down and I could hear a voices. I stood up and turned back thinking it will be my dad or sis. I followed the voice and it was dad. I was about to meet him and he was seen having a discussion with one of the warriors"]

WARRIOR: Sir, According to what I heard it seems there is a disturbance between the North.

FATHER: Hmm... the North.

WARRIOR: After the war, they didn't rest until they made an agreement with the Jonaha and plans to make alliance with them (Father touches his chin as he thinks). It looks like there is going to be another war and this time they will be larger than before. (Nate was surprised)

FATHER: This is not good. Then we'll do the same

WARRIOR: The war is coming up next week.

FATHER: I'll inform the rest of them. There's no way we will lose this time ever since we have been winning the battle, that will be a big difference.

WARRIOR: Yes sir.

["I was surprised that another war is coming, when last did we go for that war? It's a month now and it's near?, What did he mean by they made an agreement?. Those were the questions I ask myself. My head was racing at this point and I became worried. The next day, I trained myself for the upcoming war and Father saw me as he was surprised"]

FATHER: Nate

NATE: Oh hey dad.

FATHER: What are you doing?

(Nate was surprised to hear that question. Doesn't he know what he is doing without asking him? That was his thought. Then he answered)

NATE: Training.

FATHER: It's there a reason why?

(Nate couldn't take it anymore for the questions his father asked him. So he told him the truth)

NATE: I'm training for the upcoming war.

FATHER: You heard the discussion between Me and the captain.

NATE: Dad you aren't you doing anything.

FATHER: Of course I'm doing something.

NATE: It's a lie. I have watched you for a while now.

(Father couldn't say anything, so he sighed)

FATHER: What are you fighting for?

NATE: Dad stop all this questions

FATHER: Answer me! Is it for the people or for your families. Questions can be hard to answer. Didn't you heard that the North have made alliance with the Jonaha?. So how can you fight a great large number of them. They are larger than us. However during the last war we conquer, I saw the display of your strength and speed which was different from what I had always seen during practice, your fear vanished.

NATE: I fight for the people. This kingdom must not be left into the hands of those wolves. I could feel them surrounding me, so all I could do is to fight then the fear vanished. Mum didn't see how I finally fulfill my dream as a warrior. (Touches his right chest) I know deep down in my heart that we will not fail this time.

FATHER: That's good of you (he left and turned back a little) Promise me you will protect your sister, she may be good but she doesn't know how to handle a sword.

NATE: Sure father I will. I'm not going to leave Tasha.

(Father left without replying back to Nate. Nate wondered what was wrong with his father, he left so quick after saying his last statement. He could be wondering about things so worried right now. So he forgets about it and move on to his training. Tasha came to check on Nate)

TASHA: I found you big brother. (She pants as her hands touches her knees)

NATE: Tasha what's it?

TASHA: I saw you talking to dad so I came to see what's it.

NATE: It's nothing. (He didn't want to tell her the discussion between him and dad and the war that is going to happened till the time come)

TASHA: Is anything wrong?

NATE: Yeah everything is fine. Hey sis, how about we go get some food to eat. (As he tries to change the topic)

TASHA: Yeah sure. I'm hungry

NATE: So let's go (They walked together). So what will you like to eat there?

TASHA: (She touches her chin in other to think) Hmm... How about... Yakisoba

NATE: Yeah that's good. Yakisoba will be fine to eat. (So he begin to thought) Tasha I promise I wouldn't leave you.

(Yakisoba - A Japanese dish made of fried wheat flour noodles, pork, vegetables and a sweet sauce)

["Three days later, the war was about to start. We were called to say in a room so that the head, that's my dad will come to advise us. I was prepared as I placed my sword properly to my side. Dad and some of his members who followed him by side finally came in"]

FATHER: Are this all the students (He said to one of his right-hand man)

NATE: (He thought) What we aren't students again.

MAN: Yes sir.

FATHER: I want to thank you once again for the honor you gave me in defeating the enemy. I know I deserve the honor as the head. You all stood by me and as your teacher, don't give up the dreams you are focusing even though it's difficult you must pass through it.

NATE: (He thought again) What is he trying to say?

FATHER: The North are now larger in number, they are up to ten thousands men on the battlefield I and the rest will face.

(When Father said "I and the rest will face" Nate's eyes were widened with great shocked)

NATE: What does he mean by that, what about us?

FATHER: We also made an alliance with the noble men in Zaki not far from this kingdom... So for now you all will stay here till the war is over.

(The reactions were made on the students and they begin to murmur each others, What he think we can't fight them? What are we here for? Are we bunch of losers? Are we babies? I disagreed with that, we aren't playing here. Those were some questions made by them. Nate knew his father was worried that's why he left after he had a discussion with him. Tasha ran to Father and gave him a hug)

TASHA: Dad, I don't want to stay here.

FATHER: I know but it's dangerous out there.

TASHA: But I can't fight, we can

(She looked at him as tears were gathering from her eyes. Father felt the pain and cleans her eyes with his index finger)

FATHER: I'm only trying to protect you.

NATE: (He thought) It's this going to be the end.

FATHER: Nate (Nate looked with him with shocked) I'll be back, I promise. Take good care of Tasha (He faces her) Goodbye Tasha (faces everyone) and goodbye to all of you. Don't worry I promise to you that one day we will conquer!

(Some were rejoicing over father's saying while some were sad and dumbfounded like Nate and Tasha. She kneels on the ground and looks at them about to leave. Nate saw him leaving through the door and looks at everyone who were also sad while some were angry at him. They left them inside as they shut the door).