Chapter Three

Chapter 3: Training the Sons

3-1: A Concerning Message

Several months of training and sparring had come and gone since that day. Amane had grown taller, stronger and was now capable of drawing his blade in one pull, with ease. Fujimoto continued their training routine as before except Amane was getting up earlier, for more practice when he could. He took to the sword like a moth to flame. The interest he had was piqued since that day and he had become very serious when wielding his sword.

Toshiro and Toshin had also continued their training as well and just like Amane, Toshiro, had gotten much taller and somewhat stronger. His build was more athletic and lean compared to the muscle Amane had started putting on, due to the extra steps. Toshiro’s training had been different from his and focused more on stronger strikes while using an enemy's force against themselves.

As Amane practiced, in the earliest part of the morning. Before anyone was awake to his knowledge, he noticed a difference in his sword. It was as if the sword was pulsing internally with energy. He stared at the blade and as he did so; it faded. He sighed then shook his head and thought;That was weird.

Amane returned to his training and an hour later his mother had come out to greet him with a cool drink.”Hey Amane, I brought you a drink.”

Sheathing his sword quickly, he rushed over to greet her and thank her, “Good morning, mom. Thank you for the drink.” He took it from her and took a sip of it. While doing so he glanced down at the blade as he removed the glass from his lips.

“What’s wrong? I saw that look.” She asked as she kept watching him.

“Nothing is really wrong. Just something weird happened.”

“Are you going to be intentionally vague?” She asks slightly confused while jerking her right eyebrow up.

“Sorry, it was just weird. The sword was glowing like it had energy within it. I felt it and looked down at it but then it faded away.” He replied with confusion as he explained the situation to her.

“I’ll go get your father while you rest and enjoy your drink.” She replied as she walked back into the house. She knew what was going on already but this was something for Fujimoto to explain to his son.

Amane continued to drink his beverage as she went inside, still confused. Jade had made her way back into the bedroom to see Fujimoto getting dressed, finally. Pausing to take his appearance into her mind, she leaned against the door frame and stared at him.

“You can always go slower.” She smirked.

He laughed for a quick moment,"  You could always get naked”, he added jokingly.

“I could.” She smiled. “Anyway though.”

“What’s up, Jade.” he asked.

“Amane has learned something and needs a lesson in it.” She replied.

“Okay, are you going to be vague?” He responded.

“No but I did ask him that same question. He felt energy within his sword but didn’t realize it was his own.”

Fujimoto was surprised and retorted,"  It’s that time already?!” He shook his head and sighed,"  I guess it is so much quicker than I expected.”

“He is OUR son. Both of our families are known for spiritual abilities and that one is from your side. It was only a matter of time, Fujimoto. He is going to lead our families into the future. Your skills are being put to great use.” Jade added sternly and compassionately.

“You’re right. I’ll train him better than we were...better than I was, at least.” He replied and slipped his two blades into his waist bands and followed his wife outside to their son. Things were about to get interesting, for all of them.“I’ve heard your problem, son.” Fujimoto said loudly as he exited their house from the back door.

“It’s not a problem, just more of a confusion. What is going on?” Amane asks.

“Simply put; your training and meditating are opening you up to more skills involving your own spiritual energy. You can house the energy within your sword and either: use it to strengthen your blade or use it as a distance attack at your current stage. Progressing the ability will allow further development into other skills. Also, once you learn to strengthen your sword efficiently you can learn to strengthen yourself. The same skills can be applied to your body to help you reach further heights. Increases your skills, strength, speed, and stamina. We’ll have to increase your physical training so you can train your spiritual energy. From now on, you’re going to wear heavy armor.”

“If that’s what I have to do, I’ll do it.” Amane responded to his father.

“Well that was simple.” Fujimoto added.

“It’s training.” He retorted quickly but respectfully. “I knew what I was getting into. Holding back isn’t something you can do, especially if I’m going to learn.” Amane replied.

“You have learned so much already.” Jade stated while nodding her head and smiling. Her arms crossed over each other as she looked at her son who is growing up before her eyes.

As they talk a flurry of knocks bang on their door. A panicked and rushed voice yells out; 

“FUJIMOTO! FUJIMOTO!”

The three of them rush to the door to see what is actually going on. They needed to know why a man was panicking and banging on their door so early in the morning. Something was going on. When they reached the door the man was lying face down before them in a pool of blood, with arrows sticking out of his back and his body was covered in stab wounds.

“Are you okay? We’ll get you some help.” Fujimoto asked as he rushed to kneel down to the man. His voice is calm but his spirit is angry.

“It’s too late for me, Fuji. They’re coming for you. A secret meeting was held without you or the clan heads. They decided they wanted you for Junchiro’s murder. Without you there they could target you; without you defending yourself.” The man said quickly, explaining as much as he could.

“This is wrong. Are they trying to start a war?” Fujimoto replied as he grew angrier. His calm demeanor fighting to stay visible when all he wanted to do was finish this once and for all.

“Yes. There was someone at the assembly I didn’t recognize at all. A man in a black hooded cloak with a strange feeling about him.” The man coughed up blood adding to the pool beneath him. “Get..out...” His last words before he collapsed on the ground.

“I will not leave my home.” Jade added sternly. “This is a special place for more reasons than it’s our house. This place has trained many warriors for many years. It cannot and will not fall to ruin, while I live.”

“We don’t have much choice, Jade.” He replied.

“Then, we take them away from here.” Amane stated calmly.

“What?” Fujimoto asked as if he was confused by the simple response Amane had given them.

“Everyone lives here right? So we take them further away. Towards the mountains and into the open fields. Get them out of Yama Zengo. It’s a simple idea but it’s hard to execute exactly. Either we bait them or we flat out call a meeting about it.” Amane responded.

“Someone has definitely been paying attention.” Jade spoke softly with her left hand on her chin and a smile on her face.

“The learning and training is coming along very nicely, I see. Why are you so calm?” Fujimoto asked Amane directly since he, himself, was burning with anger inside. He wanted to know why his son was calm.

“This man, right here.."   He pointed down to him,"..was happy as he passed on. He died knowing he completed his final task; getting you that information. He succeeded. Unfortunately, he’s going right into that vortex.” Amane added.

Jade smiled at Amane,"  Learning more than what is taught I see too.”

“Trying my best.” He replied with a smirk.

“Amane, I need you to go see Toshin and tell him what’s going on. I’m going to see Sage. We’ll figure out what to do and put that armor on.” He pointed to the mannequin wearing it.

“Yes sir.” Amane replied.

“And be safe. I’m going now.” He paused,"  Amane, there is a cave on the outskirts, tell Toshin to meet us there.”

“Can do.” He nodded.

Fujimoto kissed his wife,"  See you soon.” He said as he quickly left the doorway and headed to the right as fast as he could.

Amane removed the armor off the mannequin one piece at a time. Starting at the bottom; the first part he put on were the boots, they were octagon patterned pieces that interlocked together. Knee guards were next, he removed his upper gi revealing his black training unitard which he wore under his clothes created with stronger than normal materials. Pants, chests, and arms were next. All of the pieces were octagonal shapes that interlock and all together they made a flexible heavy armor.

“Dad was definitely right. This is heavier than my other one. But..” He said as he moved normally,"  I can walk normally.”

“Yes son, but you’re gonna have to run and possibly fight in it. This is for your protection, not training. The stronger your spiritual energy gets; the easier it’ll be to move for you. You can move normally because of your current level but once it adjusts to you, it’ll be much harder.”

“Adjusts?” Amane asked.

“It can feel your energy. this armor will adjust accordingly to make your training more helpful. The stronger you get; the stronger it gets and more useful it becomes.” Jade responded.

“That’s pretty cool.” Amane said.

She laughed,"  It sure is and it looks good on you, too. Take good care of it.”

“I will.” He nodded,"  I better get going. Toshin is waiting.”

“Amane.” She put her hand on his chest to stop him before he began moving. “Remember if you can’t move well; focus on the peak of your spiritual energy and you’ll be able to move.” Jade added.

“I’ll keep that in mind, thanks mom.. See you soon.” He ran out the door quickly and towards Toshin’s home.

Just like his father. She shook her head with a smile.

Around the same time Amane had started his training; Toshiro and Toshin headed down the stairs to start  their own. Toshin began his lessons, with Toshiro, in the basic exercises to build up strength to be able to wield a sword when he was older to protect himself. They spent several days doing the basic exercises and during that time Toshin had given him a wooden sword to help him learn basic sword strikes. The continued training had them sparring against each other with their wooden swords.Toshin felt it was too early for Toshiro to use a real metal and sharpened blade.

Toshiro stood across from his father with sweat coming down his face. His hand trembled with excitement and exhaustion as he sparred with his father. As he breathed hard he spoke quickly,"  Going easy on me?”

“Of course. I don’t want to hurt you too badly.” Toshin responded with a calm voice.

“Can we make this our last spar for the day? I’m getting very worn down, father.” Toshiro said breathing slightly less heavy after catching his breath, to a degree.

“We’ll call it a day after this time.” He sighed slightly aggravated,"  In the future, you’ll have to learn to fight through your exhaustion.”

“Yes sir.” Toshiro responded with a full understanding and confidence in his future progress.

Toshiro held his sword up with both hands and prepared himself as he prepared to continue their training. Toshin came at him slowly and swung down from above. Toshiro blocked the strike by holding up his sword above his head. He held it up with both hands holding the hilt and the wooden blade at that back.

“Good block.” Toshin stated proudly.

Toshiro pushed back and forced the sword to the right out of his way. As he tried, Toshin pushed back and forced the sword back into the previous position, while adding more force. Toshiro dropped his guard and dodge rolled back out of the way. He rolled back onto his feet and ran forward with his sword out to his side. He attacked his father at full speed.

Toshin shook his head and dodged Toshiro’s lunge and smacked him back. “How’d that go for you, Toshiro?”

Toshiro stopped and turned around, swinging his sword quickly. He was blocked by Toshin who knocked it out of his hands. “Not too well.”

“Don’t use all your stamina for one attack. You’ll just end up  leaving yourself wide open. Charging past your opponent doesn’t help either. It can be used effectively but not the way you performed it. You’ll learn as we go on.” Toshin advised him.

“I’ll remember that to the best of my ability. I just need more time.” Toshiro added quietly while catching his breath.

“We’ll pick it up tomorrow.” Toshin replied.

“Yes sir.” Toshiro responded back. He tossed his sword to his father and grabbed a towel. He wiped his forehead off and dried himself off.

Toshin caught the sword and walked it over the stand it was on. “When you’re ready for real swords, I have the perfect one I want to give you.”

“Really?!” Toshiro said excitedly.

“Yes. It's the blue and white one in my bedroom stand. It may not look like much in the case but the sword belonged to your ancestor, Aurora. Her blade once slayed demons according to legends.” Toshin explained.

“Slayed demons?” Toshiro said, confused.

“Yes, many years ago there was a war against the Underworld. Aurora was a strong warrior and a strong cryomancer.” Toshin continued to explain.

Toshiro nodded,"  I’ll take care of her sword when it’s mine to use.”

“I know you will, son. Go get cleaned up.” Toshin smiled at Toshiro while he was strict on his training, he was finally starting to understand how to act like a normal father again. It was a big step for him in this relationship.

Amane continued running as fast as he could in this new armor, which wasn’t fast at all. Running felt like slow jogging but he kept moving forward despite it. The armor was getting heavier and heavier as he progressed forward slowly. Soon enough, he was just walking at a brisk pace but he was still making it there; no matter what. It had been half an hour since he left home and was just walking now. He couldn’t move any faster and he couldn’t figure out how to focus to the point to make the armor feel less heavy. This was more difficult than he thought it would be.

The man was watching Amane closely when he saw him. Yes, this is the one I was waiting for. Just as she had predicted a lone armor-clad warrior roaming the streets. The figure thought to himself and smirked.

“What am I supposed to do?” Amane said to himself aloud while struggling to walk.

“What seems to be the problem, young man?” An elderly man asked.

“I’m just trying to figure out how to focus my energy like I was instructed to. That way, I’ll be able to move faster...and clearly I’m not moving that fast.” He replied.

This is him. His spiritual energy is high for his age. No chrono energy within him though. Must not have awakened yet. The old man thought to himself. “Ah yes. Spiritual energy. Here let me grant you the knowledge you seek.” The old man reached up and put his hand on his forehead. Amane’s eyes went white entirely before turning black and his irises red. He still remained in a trance -like state. What’s this? The old man thought. Underworld particles in his energy? That’s not possible. Unless...he’s of that clan. This is just getting better. The old man smirked and removed his hand. “How do you feel?”

“I feel..very light. Almost like I could run for days without getting tired; while wearing this. What happened?” Amane asked.

“I transferred some of my knowledge to you.” He smiled normally. “I must be off. Good luck on your quest…Amane.”

“What? How did you know my name and that I’m on a quest?” As he was very confused by the man, the old man had disappeared.“That was weird.”Amane continued his trek to Toshin’s home in a quick manner.

The hooded figure watched Amane start running. ”You’re going to have very quick growth and be very strong, Amane. Even stronger than expected.The Underworld coming here won’t phase your body and mind; as long as you keep your power.” He disappeared entirely from sight.

Amane ran as fast as he could, making a much better time than he was before. He arrived roughly fifteen minutes after his conversation with the old man. He knocked on the door several times.

After the training with his father, Toshiro showered and changed clothes. During the time Amane was struggling with the armor, Toshiro sat down at the table with his sketchpad and began drawing. The drawing itself was a variation of his ancestor Aurora fighting against demons. The sword being colored and drawn as the one in the case. He heard a knock on the door and someone calling for his father.

“Toshin! Toshin!” The voice said as they knocked on the door.

Toshiro continued practicing his drawing skills and was looking out the window. “What’s Amane doing here?” He got up from the table,"  One second. I’m coming.”

“Take your time Toshiro. Though you could have just said come in.” Amane shrugged with a slight chuckle.

Toshiro opened the door,"  Good point. I could be smarter sometimes. What's going on and why are you dressed like that?” He asked confused as he looked his friend over.

“Training and I need your Dad.” Amane replied quickly.

“Training with real swords?” Toshiro asked in excitement.

“The real deal since Dad is training me.” He nodded and replied.

“That’s awesome!” Toshiro said excited for Amane. “Let me go get my father.” 

“I’ll be here.” Amane stated calmly.

Toshiro went down the stairs to meet with his father again. “Hey father, where are you?”

“In the cells.” Toshin called back to him.

Toshiro walked into the back of the cells and met with him, finally. “Amane is upstairs looking for you. He doesn’t seem like he’s here for any fun and something seems off.”

“Come on, let us go see what’s going on.” Toshin added. Moments later Toshin came back up with Toshiro and stood before Amane.“Amane, that armor looks good on you. Take good care of it. How’s your training going?” Toshin asked.

“It’s going really well for me,sir. Thanks for asking. I’ll do my best to take care of it.” Amane felt slightly embarrassed but refocused himself after shaking his head.

“What’s wrong?” Toshin asked with a stern look.

“The short story is they want to kill Dad for Junchiro’s murder. They held secret meetings without telling any of you so they could target him. Dad also said something about a cave on the outskirts of town.” Amane replied.

Both of them were shocked and surprised at what they heard. The normally cold and calm Toshin was clearly panicked by this news. Toshiro was sweating and concerned but he knew there was nothing he could do.

“Toshiro, grab that sword from my case and your jacket.” Toshin commanded.

“Yes sir.” Toshiro grabbed the jacket and put it on and then the sword as he came back, being careful not to mess up the case. He offered the sword to his father. “Here you are, father.”

“Slide it into the opening on your jacket. It’s yours now and you might need it.” He turned to face him more directly. “Take care of it and it’ll take care of you.”

“What’s up with our parents telling us that?” Amane sighed.

“Yours too?” Toshiro asked.

“For sure. Right before I left.” Amane replied.

“We just want you to be safe and take care of your equipment.” Toshin added. “Come now, let’s move to the cave. Where we’ll meet your father and I’m guessing Sage.”

“Yes sir. He’s supposed to meet us there for whatever he is planning or wanting to discuss.” Amane said in acknowledgement and agreement.

“Let’s go kids.” Toshin kept a stern look on his face but was clearly bothered by the events going on. There was so much going on and he didn’t know how it was going to end for them.