Chapter 56: SHOGUN


    <hr>


    I finished my Zii-Kata routine in the Jingozi arena, feeling the energy flow through me, and my next spell card materialized. I hadn''t noticed until now that the nexus here amplified all my abilities. Mentally, I''d never experienced such a boost, including how quickly I learned spells.


    Feeling a surge of resolve, I was ready for whatever test awaited.


    A figure rose through the Jingozi floor, chilling my spine. It was the Shogun, the assassinated leader of the Samurai faction. His traditional armor and the deep crimson and gold of his robes reflected in the obsidian floor of the arena. He appeared revitalized, except for the gruesome, bloody, gaping hole where his left eye should have been. The wound looked fresh, still oozing crimson from where Overlord Edric''s wand had penetrated his skull.


    Instinctively, I snatched the spell card from the air, my fingers closing around it tightly. Without a second thought, I blinked and transported myself out of the Jingozi arena, leaving the Shogun behind.


    I found myself back in the courtyard, sitting across from Sora. In the background, Kitty romped through the garden, snapping up bugs. I looked down and realized my hands were shaking.


    YOU HAVE RECEIVED A POWER CARD


    Force Field III


    <ul>


    <li>


    PVP: Pay your defend/reward or attack/risk. End the hand and freeze the pot.


    </li>


    <li>


    PVE: Create a shield that neutralizes one opponent''s attack. The shield size can be increased based on the defense score and Zii multiplier.


    </li>


    </ul>


    "What did you see?" Sora asked, looking up from her meditation.


    I took a deep breath.


    "I saw the Shogun in the arena. I think... I think he''s still alive, trapped somehow by the Jingozi."


    Sora scowled, but before she could respond, Cragmarr joined us.


    "What is the plan, Em?" he asked.


    "You should have killed those Amazons when you had the chance," Sora said, her expression hardening. "It would have helped you level up."


    "No," I shook my head. "That would have ruined any chance of making things right with Kyra."


    "Princess Kyra?" Cragmarr said, surprised.


    "She''s not a princess anymore. After what we... what I did, she was stripped of her title and sent to some camp."


    "The Reforging Grounds," Sora said grimly. "I''ve heard of such places where Amazons are trained into the fiercest warriors. If this Kyra is there now, she is no longer the Amazon you once knew."


    "Sora is correct," Cragmarr nodded.


    "I don''t care," I said. "It''s my mess, and I''ll clean it up."


    Sora''s lips tightened, but she didn''t push further.


    "I don''t understand why you want to help people, Ember, but fine. If the Emperor faction is coming, we need to prepare. We''re only three against potentially a hundred soldiers."


    "What do we do?" I asked. "How do we win?"


    "Katorro would never leave his home unguarded. There must be an advantage we don''t yet see. I''ll search the compound."


    "Crag, I know you want to help," I turned to him. "But I need you to stay with Jon."


    He frowned but nodded.


    * * *


    Jon''s condition forced Cragmarr to stay at his side, keeping him on life support using Zii. How Jon even survived that fall was beyond me.


    The least I could do was visit him through the Jingozi arena.


    "Hi, Jon," I said, seated beside his reflection.


    "Ember," his voice replied. "By your visit, am I to assume I''m still in my... condition?"


    "Yes, but Cragmarr is healing you as we speak."


    "That''s comforting... at least, it occurs to me it should be."


    "We''re preparing for Lance to attack."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    "Any ideas?"


    "Not gonna lie, Jon, I''m at a loss."


    "Well, I guess I can help you out since I might as well make myself useful," Jon gave a playful sigh. "Our faction relies on sheer numbers and brute force, but Lance is cunning. I will tell you their plan on one condition."


    "And what might that be?"


    "When this is all over, Ember, you come and join me. We bid farewell to the Jingozi way and build an enterprise we can be proud of—both of us."


    "Jon..."


    "At least consider it... please."


    "Alright."


    * * *


    Sora revealed the entrance to a hidden network of chambers and tunnels beneath Katorro''s estate. The Ninja had been more prepared than I could have imagined. Using my gift in the Jingozi arena, I mapped out the intricate tunnel system crisscrossing the island. Each strategically placed entrance and exit was armed with spikes, spears, and auto-loading crossbows. There were enough food and supplies to last months, maybe even a year.


    "Katorro could''ve held off an entire army from down here," I muttered, running my hand along the rough stone walls.


    "That was likely his intention," Sora concurred.


    I relayed what Jon had told me about Lance''s strategy. A primary force would land on the beach, preceded by cannon fire to soften any defenses, while a smaller group would attempt to ambush from behind. Lance would wait on the ship for the right opportunity, and that''s where he''d be vulnerable if we got to him first.


    Sora''s eyes narrowed as she processed the information.


    "We can use that to our advantage," she said. "How did you learn this?"


    Instead of telling her, I blinked into the Jingozi arena and told her what I''d learned about Overlord Edric''s necromancy. When I blinked back, she leaned against the wall, stunned by the revelation and what had just happened.


    "I underestimated the Overlord," she said. "He rivals the Jingozi with his evil."


    "Now you understand why I have to stop him."


    "I do. And your fire sight?"


    "I received it from the nexus."


    "You can sense it?"


    "Yes. I don''t know how to describe it. It makes me... better."


    "Yet another reason Master Katorro would pick this battleground."


    Sora paused, meeting my gaze, her expression softening.


    "Ember, Katorro..."


    "I know. He''s dying."


    "How will you find your champion? Without one, you can''t win the Jingozi tournament."


    "That''s a problem for future Ember," I said, attempting my best reassuring smile.


    * * *


    Together, we formulated a plan. Sora and Kitty would engage the forces sent to flank and ambush us. They''d use the tunnels to harass Lance''s army from behind, wearing them down through guerrilla tactics. I''d figure out how to use my blinking and water-walking abilities to disable the primary attack and draw Lance out where we could defeat him. He was too strong for one of us alone.


    "Zii conservation will be paramount," Sora said. "We don''t know how long the battle will last, so use the least amount of magic possible. I will train you as we wait."


    “Crag? You good?” I asked.


    Cragmarr wasn''t thrilled because I knew he wanted to help, but he grudgingly agreed. His loyalty was evident, even if it meant staying out of the fight to take care of Jon.


    We gathered around the weathered makeshift table, spreading the meager rations from Katorro''s supplies. The smell of dried fish and stale bread filled the air as we finalized our plans.


    Sora''s eyes gleamed with intensity as she outlined Ninja faction tactics, using a dagger to carve a diagram into the table.


    "Remember, stealth and misdirection are our greatest weapons. We strike from the shadows, then disappear before they can retaliate."


    I nodded


    "I''ll set the traps Jon taught us," I added.


    "Good. Use the environment against them—pitfalls, tripwires, anything to slow their advance and sow confusion."


    As we ate, Cragmarr raised a valid concern.


    "And if things go wrong? We need a fallback plan."


    Sora and I exchanged glances.


    "There''s a secluded cove on the island''s far side," I suggested, recalling my earlier aerial view. "Cliffs shelter it with a narrow approach. We could fortify it as a last-stand position."


    "That''s our muster point if things go wrong," Sora agreed. "Stockpile supplies there, just in case."


    We spent the next hour detailing escape routes and signals. If we got into trouble, we''d use my crystal earbuds to communicate and regroup at the cove.


    As we wrapped up, Sora fixed me with a stern gaze.


    "Remember, Ember. Our strength lies in patience and precision. Don''t let your emotions cloud your judgment."


    I swallowed hard, knowing she was right.


    * * *


    I glared at the Shogun, standing directly behind my next spell card. He stood still, observing me with his one eye. I could zoom in and see right through the hole in his head. A pinhole of light revealed the wound extended out to the other side.


    Drawing my sword and lunging forward, I swung, my blade whistling through the air.


    He evaded like smoke, effortlessly gliding away from my attack. I pressed on, unleashing a flurry of strikes using a combination of cards. The nexus boosted every move with energy I''d never experienced before. Yet, no matter how fast or clever my assault, the Shogun remained untouchable.


    Frustration bubbled up inside me as I watched him draw his sword. The metallic ring of our blades meeting filled the arena. He parried my attacks with infuriating ease, never making an offensive move. It was as if he were toying with me, which only fueled my anger.


    I tried everything—feints, chained attacks, even attempting to tackle him. Nothing worked. The Shogun''s defense was impenetrable, his movements fluid and graceful, rendering my increasingly desperate attempts utterly futile.


    Sweat beaded on my forehead as I fought to catch my breath. My arms burned with exertion. I channeled my fury into one last, powerful strike—an [Evolve] spell—putting everything I had behind it.


    My sword flashed into a dozen floating blades, rippling with fiery energy. The metal hummed with raw power as the duplicates hung suspended for a heartbeat, each one a perfect mirror of destruction. With a thunderous sound that echoed off invisible walls, they arced high into the air before raining down like a hail of missiles, trailing streaks of amber light in their wake.


    The Shogun deflected them with bare hands, moving with impossible speed and precision as if swatting away annoying flies. Explosions detonated around him in thunderous bursts of crimson light and raw energy, but he didn''t even flinch—his stoic gaze locked on me through the chaos, unmoved and unimpressed.


    A scream of rage tore from my throat. I was hopelessly outmatched and ultimately ineffective. It was maddening. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than to wipe that calm, unperturbed look off the Shogun''s face and put my sword through his other eye.


    But I couldn''t. No matter what I did, I couldn''t touch him.


    Finally, my anger gave way to exhaustion and bitter acceptance. I lowered my sword, chest heaving as I glared at my impassive opponent. Without a word, I reached for my spell card and blinked out of the Jingozi arena once again, leaving the undefeated Shogun behind.


    YOU HAVE RECEIVED A POWER CARD


    Soul Strike


    <ul>


    <li>


    PVP: Pay 1 Zii to plus +1 attack/risk or defend/reward (maximum +6).


    </li>


    <li>


    PVP: Pay 1 Zii to plus +1 attack/risk or defend/reward (maximum +6).


    </li>


    </ul>