Glorious Battle

Glorious Battle is a fiction written by Shawn Carman. It is the third of ten parts from the Dawn of the Empire promotional ccg set. 

Annotated Story
Previously: The Daughter.

Unmei continues his story. Kaimetsu-uo is fascinated by the creature and asks if there are more like him, and if the Kami know they exist. Unmei reveals there are many like him, but they hide from the Kami fearing the armies led by Akodo. Hantei had declared that all creatures not of human origin had to be destroyed, for fear of Fu Leng's power.



Akodo Mirotai looks into the eyes of the Kitsu creature he is about to kill, and the depthless eternal red-gold eyes show him the true measure of the creature's soul. The spear strikes true, and the creature is dead. Mirotai's strength leaves him, and he wonders what he has done. Ikoma replies he has only done his duty, and pulls Mirotai to his feet and claps him on the back. Ikoma suggests they should drink sake, but Mirotai is lost for words. Akodo and two dozen of his best men had been scouring the mountains for the Kitsu, but Mirotai and two others had been added to the group to replace three struch with fever. Mirotai had been greatly honored but terrified at the same time. Akodo moves through the assembled men congratulating them, and stops infront of Mirotai and asks Ikoma how well he is doing. Ikoma says Mirotai killed a Kitsu single-handed. Akodo is impressed, and reveals their hunt is coming to an end and stories will tell of the Kitsu slayers. Ikoma suggests the stories will mostly be about him, but promises to mention Mirotai in there somewhere. Mirotai says nothing, but thinks about Akodo. A god, but still no taller than Mirotai himself. There was something however that immediately impresses the fact that Akodo was more than mortal. Akodo's scouts have reported another trail, and offers Mirotai a place alongside him in the hunt. Akodo says he will need a new spear, and Ikoma suggests some sake would also be appropriate. Ikoma proceeds to being questioning Mirotai about the women in his village.



Later that night, the village is celebrating after news of a successful hunt. Mirotai is repeatedly asked to retell the tale, but he does not wish to gain praise he does not feel he deserves. Mirotai finds himself in a shadowed corner of his favourite sake house, and most leave him alone. Akodo joins him at the table, and asks him how the sake is. Mirotai is taken by surprise, but Akodo continues to talk about his brother and the making of sake. Akodo asks Mirotai if he is ready for tomorrow. Mirotai is not sure, but Akodo tells him he would not bring him along if he did not think him good enough. Mirotai thinks for a moment how Akodo must feel having been in the Celestial Heavens to be now stuck in the mortal realm. Mirotai feels a slight swell of pity for his champion, but swears to be ready tomorrow. Ikoma calls out to Akodo from the entrance, suggesting the Kami speak to his men to encourage them tomorrow. Akodo leaves, and Ikoma sits down next to Mirotai. Ikoma begins telling Mirotai about serving girl further down the street, but stops and makes sure Mirotai has no relatives in this village. Ikoma notices Mirotai is thinking about something and guesses that it was the Kitsu he killed. Ikoma reveals that he too has noticed something about the creatures, but warns Mirotai not to think too much about it. Ikoma continues to explain that it is a war, and you always have to fight something in a war. You must do everything to win, and honor is just a pretty word that will not save your life. Ikoma warns Mirotai to do whatever it takes to survive, or he may not see this village again. Mirotai nods, but does not agree in his heart.

Ten days later, the group of Lion finally catch up with the remaining Kitsu. The Kitsu outnumber the Lion, but Mirotai's fear is quelled by regret at taking part in their extermination. Akodo is eager having finally found his prey, and organizes the group into small squads and places them to prevent the creatures escaping. Akodo signals the attack, and the Kitsu are disoriented by the attack from multiple sides. These Kitsu are even larger than the one Mirotai killed, and Akodo points to the largest of them all. A samurai charges the beast but is batted away, but still alive. Akodo slices a creature in half, and begins to move towards the large one ordering Mirotai to flank the creature. Mirotai begins to move into position, but again see the red-golden eyes and the soul contained within. This time he also sees the Kitsu facing a dark creature from the south along time ago, and win. He saw their race begin to dwindle, not helped at all by Akodo's hunt. As Akodo yells for Mirotai to attack Mirotai stops and drops his spear. He cannot attack, and Akodo is outraged at the treachery. Mirotai tells Akodo to look into the beast's eyes. Akodo scowls, sheathes his blade, and leaps at the Kitsu. The two wrestle for a moment, before the creature throws Akodo to the side. Mirotai grabs his spear once more, determined to save his lord. Akodo motions for him to stop, and the look of realization dawns on his face. Akodo yells for his men to stop, and after moments of looking at the large Kitsu he bows to it. The Kitsu lowers his head in return. Akodo tells Mirotai that he has been a fool, and that he now can see these are not creatures of Fu Leng. Mirotai asks what can be done, and Akodo says they will try to make amends.

To Be Continued in: The Perfect Gift.

Characters

 * Kaimetsu-Uo
 * Unmei
 * Akodo Mirotai
 * Ikoma
 * Akodo

Not Present, But Mentioned

 * Fu Leng
 * Hantei
 * Akodo's sake making brother