Chapter 12. HIRO


    <hr>


    “What are you doing here, Hiro?”


    “I wanted to come with you.”


    “You can’t just stow away like this.”


    “Please, Ember,” he pleaded. “I want to help! I promise I can be useful.”


    I sighed, glancing at Kitty, already curled up in Hiro’s lap. What could be the harm? It was too late to turn around anyway.


    “Alright, Hiro. You can stay. But do exactly as I tell you. Deal?”


    The carriage lurched to a stop. The door swung open, and Ryuunosuke’s stern face appeared.


    “Out. Now.”


    I stepped out of the carriage, Hiro following behind me, clutching my sleeve. Ryuunosuke, still on his mount, grabbed the boy by the collar and lifted him off the ground.


    “What is the meaning of this?” Ryuunosuke demanded. “What did you do?”


    Hiro’s eyes welled up with tears.


    “I just wanted to help... I wanted to be useful…”


    “Do you understand what you’ve done? Who is your father?” Ryuunosuke shook him. “Wait, I recognize you. You’re Takeshi’s son.”


    Hiro sobbed, unable to speak.


    “Stop it. He’s just a child,” I stepped forward.


    Ryuunosuke’s gaze snapped my way, his expression unyielding.


    “This child has brought shame to his family. Do you understand the consequences of his actions?”


    “He came because of me,” I matched his glare. “I told him to hide in the carriage. He’s my responsibility.”


    “His father is a Samurai and was chosen to send his son to learn the ways of Jingozi,” he set Hiro down. “It is a great honor and responsibility to carry the future of our faction. But by dishonoring us in such a way, the Shogun will decide if the entire family must be executed. Yukiko will also be punished.”


    “All for a game? You can’t be serious.”


    Ryuunosuke’s expression softened.


    “The Jingozi will seek retribution if Yukiko cannot deliver the offering. And our faction values honor above all else. Such a disgrace cannot go unpunished, or many more will die.”


    “Please, don’t hurt my family!” Hiro sobbed louder, pulling on Ryuunosuke’s boot. “It’s my fault, not theirs!”


    The rest of the caravan gathered to gawk. There were three carriages, twelve Samurai on armored mounts, and roughly another dozen staff of men and women. Ahead of us, the road crossed into a dense forest of tall pine trees.


    “How is this fair?” I asked.


    “What does a runaway Emperor girl know about fairness? Your faction oppresses everybody in your land.”


    “And this is any better?” I pointed at Hiro.


    “I could execute you right now for your insolence. Remember your place.”


    I caught myself before unleashing a litany laced with profanity I knew I’d regret.


    “Come on, Hiro, we’ll figure something out without this asshole.”


    * * *


    Day [11/40]


    After entering the forest, we made camp. Pine trees loomed overhead, their branches intertwining to create a canopy in the sky. Ryuunosuke rode ahead to scout.


    “Stay here,” I told Kitty.


    Hiro finally slept after crying all night.


    Seizing my chance, I crept to one of the mechanical horses tied nearby. It had been a hot minute since I rode a horse, let alone one with six legs powered by magic. Climbing onto the steed was challenging, but I secured myself. Come on, Em, you can do this, just like all those times at summer camp.


    Urging it forward, the robot horse sprang into action, its legs moving in a rhythmic pattern. I gripped the reins, struggling to stay balanced as it galloped through the forest.


    Ryuunosuke was ahead, on foot. I slowed to a trot, then dismounted behind him. He turned and glowered at me.


    “What are you doing here?” he asked, keeping his voice low.


    “Listen, we’re going to get something crystal clear. You—”


    Ryuunosuke dragged me down behind a pile of logs, the blade of his katana flashing in front of my face. His gloved hand covered my mouth.


    I felt the eerie silence—no birds, no rustling leaves, just an unnatural stillness.


    Ryuunosuke leaned in, “Be quiet. Golems.” He removed his hand. “They’d never be so bold.”


    “Why would they attack us?” I asked.


    “Are you not aware we are at war? Your faction and mine, the Golems, Ninja, and others. We are all enemies.”


    “I’m not from around here.”


    “Clearly,” he said, his eyes darting back and forth. His face stiffened. “Do not move.”


    I fought the temptation to load my hand, which would reveal my identity. Ryuunosuke’s eyes widened. He slashed at something behind me. A severed wooden tentacle fell, wriggling to the ground. Something else squealed and retreated through the brush.


    “Back to camp, quickly,” he picked up the severed branch. It wrapped itself around the Samurai’s arm, making chewing noises, and leaked black ichor, turning my stomach. His armor provided protection, but it still disturbed me.


    At the camp, Ryuunosuke tossed the wriggling branch into a fire. It hissed and thrashed as it bubbled and burned, sending a shiver down my neck. The other Samurai gathered with grim faces as they watched the fire consume the branch.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    “We’re not alone in this forest,” Ryuunosuke addressed the group. “A Blight is tracking us, and we’re not prepared to fight if the Golems have superior numbers. We’ll take another route along the waters to avoid an ambush, but it will add a week to our travel.”


    The Samurai grunted in agreement, their expressions grave. Plans were made to alter our course, and the group efficiently scrambled to action.


    Entering the carriage, Hiro was excited to greet me.


    “Ember! Look what I made for you.”


    He handed me an origami flower made with white parchment paper. Without thinking, I put it in my inventory—distracted by our situation. Hiro sensed my worry as the carriage started rolling.


    “What’s wrong?” Hiro asked. “Why are we turning back?”


    “It’s nothing. We’re just taking a small detour. I asked for the scenic route.”


    “Oh,” he returned to his origami.


    After a curious look, Kitty climbed on my shoulders and wrapped me in scales.


    * * *


    Day [12/40]


    Our travels continued along the river until we reached a large lake. The calm waters reminded me of the last time I fished with Cragmarr. It felt like a lifetime ago.


    Hiro stirred and opened his eyes. He’d slept using Kitty’s belly as a pillow.


    “Hey buddy, how are you feeling?” I asked.


    He groaned and tried to sit up, eyes puffy.


    “I’ve been better,” he said. I helped him get comfortable, and he sat thinking before saying, “Ember, I’ve wanted to talk to you about something.”


    “Oh? What’s on your mind?”


    “There’s this girl back in my village. Her name is Aiko. She... she likes me.”


    I raised an eyebrow, remembering the cute samurai girl the day I met Hiro.


    “Really? That’s sweet. Do you like her too?”


    “No, she’s nice and all, but she’s just a kid,” he shook his head.


    “Hiro, you’re ten,” I chuckled. “You’re both kids.”


    “Yeah, but she’s so immature. She always giggles and follows me around. I like someone more... mature.”


    “Oh? And who might that be?”


    He blushed, his eyes darting away.


    “Um, well... someone like you.”


    “Me? I’m flattered, Hiro. But you know, I’m a bit too old for you.”


    “I know, I know. But you’re so nice and tough. You’re like a warrior princess or something. Aiko could never be like that.”


    “Hiro,” I smiled at him. “Girls change and grow up in ways you don’t expect. Maybe one day, Aiko will become a warrior princess herself.”


    “Maybe. But she’ll never be as amazing as you. I saw you fight.”


    “Just give it time. If I know girls like Aiko, she’ll grow into somebody you admire.”


    “I guess, for now, I’ll keep training and getting stronger. I’m going to become a Jingozi champion.”


    “I look forward to it, Hiro. You’re already on your way. And thank you for the flower.”


    “You’re welcome.”


    Hiro beamed as we sat, rocking back and forth, but it all bothered me. Hiro and the other children were pawns to the Jingozi—just like I was. It made absolutely no sense. How does an entire world bend the knee to a religious game?


    A bellowing sound came from the forest. Our carriage flew into the air, spinning end-over-end. With a deafening crash, we landed upside down. Water from the lake surged through the shattered windows while shouts and growls erupted outside.


    The caravan was under attack. I barely made out the notification.


    NEW QUEST: AMBUSHED


    Escape the ambush and rescue the child.


    A jagged piece of metal jutted from my right thigh while my left foot lay twisted, pinned beneath the chest. Kitty pawed at Hiro’s sleeve, but he remained motionless, floating on his back. Blood streamed from his head, mixing with the water filling the caravan.


    Gritting my teeth, I dislodged my foot and rolled toward the door, slamming my shoulder against it. It wouldn’t budge. Bracing my back against the seat, I kicked. Pain shot up my legs as my ankle gave way, the metal shard in my thigh tearing the wound wider.


    The water now rising to my waist, and I looked for another exit. Kitty swam onto a shelf, but Hiro…


    “Hiro!”


    Taking a deep breath, I leaned forward and found Hiro’s body submerged. I pulled him back to the surface, holding his head above water as I loaded my hand. The only way out was up.


    Hand: [2/2] [6/7] [2/4] [5/6] [1/3]


    I infused a [7/6] with one Zii and slammed it into the carriage floor. But with my injuries, I couldn’t muster enough strength to plant and channel the Zii behind my strikes. I tried again three more times with a [6/5], [6/2], and [5/4]. The cards just fizzled, only making a dent. Why wasn’t it working? I must be doing something wrong.


    Kitty escaped through the window. Taking my last breath before wholly submerged, I clung to Hiro and blinked to the Jingozi arena.


    * * *


    Injuries didn’t follow me when I blinked. The metal shard in my thigh and the gaping wound vanished as if it never happened. But the mental effects—any pain, fear, shock—remained. I spent extra time steadying my nerves.


    “That doesn’t look good,” the voice said.


    “Where have you been?” I asked.


    “I’ve been here the whole time.”


    I examined my reflection in the carriage with Hiro, his head still bleeding and the contents of the carriage floating around us.


    “Any chance you’d help me out?” I asked.


    “I’d love to. But may I ask a question first?”


    “Okay,” I groaned. “What?”


    “Whose daughter are you?”


    My entire body stiffened.


    “Are you serious right now? What are you, Dr. Phil?”


    “I am serious. But I do like Dr. Phil.”


    How does he know who Dr. Phil is?


    “Look,” I said. “I kind of have a situation here.”


    “Humor me, that situation isn’t going anywhere.”


    “You mean, who is my dad? Is that what you want to know?”


    “Nope. I mean, whose daughter are you?”


    “You mean my biological dad? Bryan? He gave me up for adoption after my mother died giving birth to me.”


    I can’t believe I’m talking about this right now.


    “So I''m adopted,” I clenched my shaking hands. “I guess I’m nobody’s daughter, asshole.”


    “I see. That must’ve been hard.”


    I had enough.


    “Okay, let’s cut the bullshit, man. Are you going to help me or not?”


    “I’m sorry, Ember. We can pick this up another time.”


    “If there is another time.”


    After a pause, the voice said, “Jingozi isn’t about what you do. It’s about who you are. First, you must learn to be, and then you will know what to do.”


    “Where''d you get that bullshit? A fortune cookie?”


    “I believe in you, Ember, and I’ll see you again soon. Remember, I’m always here.”


    The voice was gone.


    I sat on the floor, cross-legged, opposite the image of myself.  How am I supposed to BE something when I need to DO something to get out of this mess?


    That’s when it hit me. I need to BE something else.


    Loading my deck, I folded and discarded cards until I found what I needed.


    Hand: [2/3] [5/5] [Evolve] [1/6] [0/0]


    Evolve


    Increase any 0 on your card by +1 for every Zii paid.


    I had no idea if it would work. With 96 Zii left, I played [Evolve] with the [0/0], spending 90 Zii, making it a [45/45]. But was that enough? Power alone didn’t work before.


    Blinking back into the submerged carriage, my card radiated with energy. Glowing runes appeared on my body, my skin turning into metallic crystal armor. My hand sliced through the carriage floor with a few swift swipes. As the debris floated away, I grabbed Hiro, and we shot out of the water, soaring through the air before landing on the shore.


    As the spell wore off, I shook Hiro. I didn’t know CPR or anything to save him.


    Let’s see if this works.


    Loading a [1/2] card, I infused one of my last six Zii. If I could focus on the water in Hiro’s lungs, I might have a chance. Palming the card in my hand, I struck his chest, stopping an inch before making contact. A wave pulsed into Hiro, causing him to spit up water and cough.


    Turning him on his side, the gash on the back of his head was deep. He was breathing but unconscious.


    QUEST COMPLETE: AMBUSHED


    Escape the ambush and rescue the child.


    I’d ignored the cacophony of roars and screams from the forest until now. Pulling Hiro onto my back, I called out, “Kitty!” But there was no response. The [Evolve] spell had pushed the metal out of my leg, cauterizing the wound while leaving a nasty scar. With Hiro piggybacked, I took off, running in the opposite direction of the caravan.


    We stumbled through the forest, my chest and legs burning as I searched for shelter until finding a large burrow on the side of a hill. It was empty.


    The burrow sloped down into a space big enough for the two of us. I slid in first and eased Hiro down. His breathing was shallow, and his face was pale. I checked him over and wrapped his head with my remaining bandages. Remembering the Samurai cloak, I pulled it from my inventory, swaddling him to keep him warm.


    Snapping my fingers, I produced my fifth last Zii coin, placing it on Hiro’s head. After some Zii-Kata, the coin glowed red and melted into the bloody bandage. It would have to do for now.


    Crawling out of the hole, the forest was silent but getting dark. We had either run far enough that we couldn’t hear the caravan, or it was over.


    My inventory, including the tinderbox, was dry. Shivering, I gathered dry wood and kindling to light three fires at the burrow entrance. Slumping beside Hiro, I fought the urge to sleep, but my eyelids grew heavy. Zii-Kata would have to wait.


    I drifted off with Hiro’s hand in mine.