Chapter 14. RAISHOTO
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Day [14/40]
The first day passed as a blur of dense forest and winding paths. The mechanical steed plowed ahead at full speed, its six hooves barely making a sound as we raced through the underbrush. We traveled south from dawn until dusk, stopping only when the sun dipped below the horizon.
I found a small clearing to rest for the night. After lighting three fires, I practiced Zii-Kata to center myself. Kitty watched.
* * *
Day [15/40]
The relentless pace continued on the second day. The landscape shifted, the thick forest giving way to rolling hills of tall grass and sparse trees.
I practiced Zii-Kata during a brief rest, comforted by the sun’s warmth. The movements were slower and more deliberate as I pondered my progress. Hiro weighed on my mind as Kitty hunted for bugs.
* * *
Day [16/40]
By the third day, fatigue set in—my body ached, my mind exhausted. The landscape grew more desolate, with trees becoming sparse, giving way to rocky outcrops and dry grasslands.
We paused by a small stream to rest and drink. The water was cool and refreshing. Kitty jumped in for a bath, only to yelp as something underwater pinched her.
* * *
Day [17/40]
By the fourth day, the solitude became mind-numbing. The vast grassy plains stretched with no trace of civilization in sight.
As the sun set, I found a sheltered nook to rest. My training, long abandoned, and the silence of the night only amplified the emptiness. Desperate for a distraction, I blinked into the Jingozi arena.
“Hello?” I called. “Are you there?”
“Ember, it’s great to see you—”
“This was a mistake.”
I blinked out and stayed awake all night.
* * *
Day [18/40]
By the fifth day, doubt started to gnaw at me. What if I don’t make it? I had been traveling for days with no sign of a city or the Samurai, with an endless landscape blurring together with every rise and fall of the terrain.
Cresting a hill, I heard music. A caravan of brightly colored wagons accompanied by what looked like entertainers came into view. I approached cautiously, holding out the Samurai token. The leader of the caravan, a jovial, round man with a long black beard, welcomed me with open arms.
“Hello, young lady!” he said, waving.
“Um, hi. I’m trying to get to the city.”
“Any member of the Samurai is welcome to travel with us,” his eyes twinkled with kindness. “My name is Daichi. We are a troop of artists on our way to Raishoto to entertain the nobles. Please receive our hospitality.”
I entered the Jingozi arena and scanned the entire caravan, scrutinizing every reflection for any signs of danger, but found nothing suspicious.
Exhausted, I blinked back and asked to ride in one of the wagons. Daichi happily took the reins of my steed, seemingly unconcerned about the fact I was a total stranger. I climbed into the back of a wagon with Kitty. After days spent in a saddle, the soft piles of costumes and the gentle rocking of the wagon felt like a blessing.
Laughter and music lulled me into a deep, dreamless slumber.
* * *
Day [19/40]
The towering walls and majestic gates of the Samurai city were an awe-inspiring sight. The wide streets were alive with activity—Samurai in gleaming armor, merchants hawking their goods, and children laughing as they played. The architecture blended the traditional and the fantastical, with pagodas stretching toward the sky adorned with carvings and shimmering banners. The vibrant sounds of the city and the mouthwatering aroma of street food welcomed us into its heart.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
I thanked Daichi and gifted him the steed. I’d become a capable rider but had no idea how to care for a horse with six legs—or whatever it was.
“You’ve been so cool, even though you’re the weirdest pony I’ve ever seen,” I whispered, patting its armored flank one last time.
I stood in the market square with Kitty, taking it all in.
“All right, Kitty, let''s do this.”
* * *
A local merchant’s stall displayed exotic goods, from silken fabrics to finely crafted weapons. The merchant himself was a stout man with an amiable demeanor. He beckoned me over.
“Welcome, traveler,” he greeted with a bow. “You seem new to Raishoto. Can I introduce you to some of the finest wares in the city?”
“Thank you,” I said. “I’m curious about the city itself.”
“Ah, Raishoto! It is a city of great history and importance. Please allow me to enlighten you,” the merchant’s eyes lit up with pride. He gestured for me to come closer, handing me a juicy-looking fruit I didn’t recognize.
“Raishoto, which means ‘lightning castle,’ was founded centuries ago by the legendary Samurai Lord Raiden Takamori before the Jingozi. He was a warrior of unmatched skill and a master of an ancient form of elemental Zii-Kata, now long forgotten. It’s said that during a great storm, Raiden harnessed the power of lightning itself to vanquish a formidable enemy that threatened our lands. In honor of his bravery and the divine power he wielded, this city was built on the ground where that battle took place.”
The merchant paused, his eyes scanning the bustling market.
“The city’s architecture reflects this lightning connection. Looking closely, you’ll see many of our buildings are designed to capture and channel the energy of the storms that occur almost every night. The pagodas are adorned with metal rods and enchanted stones that draw lightning, providing protection and power to our people.”
I glanced around, noting the subtle details he described.
“Raishoto is not just a city—it’s the heart of the Samurai faction. Our warriors train here to host several sanctioned Jingozi exhibitions, honing their skills and mastering the Jingozi way. And we are blessed to have Lord Shogun himself residing in the Grand Palace at the center of the city, overseeing the defense and governance of our lands. Many important decisions are made here, making Raishoto the military and spiritual hub of the Samurai faction.”
He leaned in, lowering his voice.
“But there’s more. Raishoto is also a place of pilgrimage for many. The Temple of Thunder, located on the eastern hill, attracts those seeking the deeper mysteries of Zii and the legacy of Raiden Takamori. Meditating there during a storm grants insights and visions from other dimensions.”
He stared at me intently as I bit into the fruit. It was plum-flavored with a minty aftertaste.
“How do I see the Shogun?” juice trickled down my chin.
“Nobody sees the Lord Shogun. Why would you make such a request?”
“No reason, just being a tourist. Thank you for the fruit.”
“It’s my pleasure,” his smile returned. “Raishoto is a city of honor and tradition—every visitor becomes a part of its story. Don’t hesitate to return if you need anything else, whether it’s guidance or supplies. Just ask for Taikumi.”
As I walked away, Taikumi shouted, “May the spirits of our ancestors and Lord Raiden himself guide you!”
Taking only two steps, I almost tripped over a family of dark elves huddled together near a crumbling wall. I immediately recognized them by their deep purple hue, dulled by dirt. They wore tattered rags and cloaks with hoods drawn low. A small child clung to their mother’s leg, wide-eyed and gaunt.
I paused, taken aback. My past encounters with dark elves had painted them as the enemy, filled with cruelty and aggression. I''d never expected to see them in such a state of vulnerability.
“Please, sir,” the mother begged, her voice small. “Just a small piece of bread. Anything to feed my child.”
For a moment, I was at a loss for words, twinged by their desperation and the flicker of pity stirring within me. This world, like Earth, has its share of poverty and social injustice.
Kitty tensed and yowled, sounding like a real cat. I''d forgotten about her aggro with dark elves. I couldn''t blame her.
"Chill, Kitty," I whispered. "Look at them. They pose no threat."
Kitty didn''t care but stayed put on my shoulders.
"Behave," I told her.
I approached cautiously, my heart aching. I summoned three rations from my inventory and offered them. The child looked up at me. The spark of hope in those innocent eyes made my heart clench.
"I''m sorry, that''s all I have," I said.
The mother’s expression shifted to gratitude as she accepted the rations with trembling hands.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her eyes glistening. “We thought we would not find kindness today.”
“It’s the least I can do,” I responded softly. “I wish I could do more. Please take care of yourselves.”
The small child reached out a tiny hand, brushing against my arm.
“Thank you,” the child said shyly, their voice barely above a whisper.
“May the spirits protect you,” the father added, his voice hoarse but filled with sincerity.
“Hey! You there, girl!” Glaring at me, a grizzled man with a scruffy beard leaned out from behind his fruit counter. “Stop encouraging those vagrants! They''ll never leave this place if you keep giving them food.”
I flicked my wrist to load a Jingozi card, letting it glow with Zii, and flashed it. The bravado melted from his face.
“I—um, I was just—” he stammered, his voice trailing into mumbling.
Without waiting for a response, I approached his counter and picked up three ripe melons from his stall. The shopkeeper opened his mouth to protest but then relented after seeing my glare.
I took the melons and turned back toward the family of dark elves.
“Here,” I said, raising my voice. “Take these. A gift from that kind and generous man behind me.”
The father''s eyes widened with disbelief as he received the melons.
“Move along,” I gestured gently.
As they scuttled away, I shot the shopkeeper another death stare. He shifted uncomfortably but said nothing as I walked past him. From the corner of my eye, Taikumi nodded and smiled.
* * *
An inn on the corner drew me in with its welcoming facade and a sign swaying in the breeze. The aroma of cooked food wafted just outside the entrance, making my mouth water.
Stepping inside, I was met with the warmth of the hearth and the comforting hum of conversation. The innkeeper, a burly man with a bushy beard and ruddy complexion, looked up from behind the counter, his eyes briefly meeting mine.
“Room?” he said flatly.
“Yes, please.”
“Two silver.”
I was stumped. Nobody had explained the monetary system here.
“Money?” he frowned.
“Oh, of course.”
The innkeeper’s eyes narrowed, watching me fumble.
“I have this.” I presented Ryuunosuke’s Samurai token.
“Out! To hell with you Samurai. Think we’re all your slaves?”
“Wait, I don’t…”
The innkeeper signaled to his workers. They surrounded me, hands on their swords. Kitty tensed. I pulled a Jingozi token from my inventory to defuse the situation. The innkeeper and his workers’ eyes widened in fear, and they shouted a litany of harsh-sounding words in a different language, pushing me out the door.
“Take that cursed coin and leave! Never come back!”
The door slammed shut behind me. Standing bewildered, I tried to process what had happened.
A figure approached—a blonde elf dressed in a flashy pirate outfit topped with a wide-brimmed hat and a feather. He was a Jingozi apprentice.
Name: Jon Deerfoot [Doctrine Dealer]
Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 5
Faction: Emperor [Lord]
“Vexing day?” he asked.
“You could say that,” I said, still shaken.
“Jon Deerfoot, at your service,” he bowed. “I’m from the Emperor faction, on a trade mission from my northern manor. And you are?”
“Ember. Did you say Emperor faction?”
“Despite the war, factions still conduct business. Trade is essential, even between enemies. And as an elf, I’m considered somewhat of an outsider, less of a threat.”
“So why would they be hostile to this?” I held up the Jingozi token. The elf covered it with his glove, scanning the area from left to right.
“Not everyone is friendly to the Samurai. Their elitism and oppressive rule have earned them disdain from the people. As for the Jingozi, they’re feared. Such a token is an omen, representing chaos and meddling beyond control.”
“I just need a place to stay.”
“People don’t just stumble on such treasure. You’re a Jingozi dealer.”
“As are you.”
“Touche, my dear.”
Jon placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Come with me. I know of more suitable accommodations for a lady such as you.”