Call of Home

by Tau22

Rating: teen
Tags: Gore, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure
Length: 10779

After almost a year of travelling the world, an unassuming pony returns to her homeland to find it embroiled in war. With a magic grip on her trusty sword, she sets off on a mission to end the conflict, with an inevitable clash of blades on the way.

A side-story to the Misadventures of Trixie.

Lotus, a unicorn swordsmare from the far east, returns from her travels to her beloved Neighpon. Yet she is uneasy, for she knows all is not well.

With power struggles evident, the unassuming mare rides out to put an end to a destructive civil war, no matter the cost. Old allies surface to aid her, while great foes watch her every move.

Will she be the blade that frees the Empire of the Rising Moon? The truth is found within these pages, dear reader. Stay a while, and listen.

******

Written to further portray the adventures of Lotus, the swordsmare which appeared in the main story. Reading the main story to chapter 7 eliminates spoilers, but is not necessary to read this one.

Likewise, reading this story first may spoil a few minor elements from my other work. You have been warned, dear reader.

Without further ado, I hope you will enjoy this little tale.

Published 2016-10-20 16:00:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-10-25 16:39:35 UTC

Dagger's Kiss

A silver mare made her way through massive fields, bathed by the last rays of day. The earth ponies who tended to them were nowhere to be seen, undoubtedly resting after a hard day’s work. Her walk was slow, purposeful, her pink eyes kept vigilant watch over her surroundings. She wore crimson, form-fitting armour and a simple straw hat, which hid a short, black mane and a horn.

At her side rested her trusted companion. Almost as long as her torso, the slim blade rested in a simple, black scabbard, ready to be unsheathed at a moment's notice. Its hilt was adorned by a single sapphire, representing Mother Moon. A weapon only a unicorn could wield, due to the dexterity and finesse that only a magical grasp could provide.

Lotus Windrider breathed in the air of her homeland with a mixture of relief and dread. On one hoof, seeing her birthplace again was absolutely wonderful. On the other, the circumstances which had brought her back were alarming at the very least. Had a certain showpony not crossed her path, she wouldn't have even made it. Memories of the events and her travels in general flooded her mind.

Her senses did not dull for even a moment, however, and were able to pick up an old, familiar scent. Sulphur, mixed with the odour of molten metal. She came to a stop and called out with a smile:
"Greetings, Sensei."

The voice that replied was calm like a windless sea, and about as deep:
"I see your sense of smell has not left you," from thin air, a figure appeared. His body was elongated, snake-like, stretching to almost twice her height and covered in emerald scales. The mentor did not stand, rather, he floated above the ground without any visible wings or other aids. His elongated face had a pair of long, white whiskers attached, right beneath two crimson eyes, "nothing could ever get past you, Lotus."

She bowed slightly, then met his gaze again:
"I need such skills to counter your elusiveness."
"Quite," the small dragon's facial features contorted into something which distantly resembled a frown, "you return in the nick of time, I would say."
"Had there not been an attempt on my life, I would still be travelling."
"Let me guess. Item-spirits?"
"How did you...?"
"Neighpon has grown darker since your departure. The answers you seek can be found within the capital. Be on your guard. Royal red is a dangerous colour to wear these days."
"Is your aid out of the question, Sensei?"
"You know well that I am a mentor of the spirit, not of battle. Even if, within this conflict, I am a stranger. The trials ahead are yours to face, my student. Be careful, dear Lotus, and may Mother Moon watch over you."
"Thank you, Sensei."

With that, the serpentine dragon faded once again into nothingness, his scent leaving soon afterwards. Lotus eyed the dirt road under her hooves for a few moments, before resuming her march.

Uma was a veritable fortress. Its central palace was constructed on a hill, surrounded by several layers of defensive walls. Much more than a simple defensible position, the spaces between these walls were rich with life. A metropolis of immense size, hundreds and thousands of ponies could be seen wandering its streets at any point, especially now, when the moon shone in the sky, surrounded by its court of stars.

It was much more than some idle fancy for the night. The moon had been venerated by eastern ponies ever since the clash of sun and moon, during which the sun had scorched the world with its gaze for several days. The return of the moon, then, had been celebrated with incredible enthusiasm. One thing led to another and many previously tiny moon cults suddenly grew in influence without any sign of stopping.

As she made her way through the streets, Lotus wished she could just stop and enjoy herself. To partake in an evening brew, observe one of the many theatrical displays, perhaps wager a few imperial bits in a stacked game of chance. To just glance at the alleys full of colourful lanterns and just enjoy the moment. But her duty remained absolute and her eyes watchful.

At first glance, Uma seemed just like she had left it, little more than a year ago. The buildings were mostly on the small side, the city expanding more in width rather than height. The ponies seemed cheerful enough. But she noticed the nervous glances shot her way as she walked through the city. She noticed the local guard sporting a blue shade of jade instead of crimson. She easily noticed the clumsy attempt at stealth a few of them partook in. Feigning interest, she entered one of the many bars at the side of the road.

The previous bustle of the place died down as soon as she took her first steps inside. The more cautious clients suddenly wished to pay for their drinks, post-haste. Calmly, she walked up to the counter, where a stallion looked at her with a mixture of concern and fear. She said simply:
"Hot water, please."
"C-coming right up."

It was brought without delay and she paid the poor sod a few extra bits. She had a feeling he'd need them.

It didn't take long for a squad of armoured figures to enter the bar. Even the most stubborn patrons rose to leave. Earth ponies to the last, their armour a bright jade. Long, bladed polearms were attached to their sides, ready to be used as discount lances or powerful cutting weapons, depending on what was needed of the soldier at the time. Their leader, distinguished by a golden streak on his helmet, spoke:
"Well, isn't this a strange sight," Lotus shot him a steely look, "a criminal casually walking through Uma? Suicidal tendencies, surely."
"I do not see what I did wrong."
The troopers erupted in chuckles and the commander continued:
"Considering what you are wearing, you are either a grave robber, or a rebel against lord Kabuto's rule," she blinked at the name. It was all-too-familiar, "for your sake, I hope it's the former. Come quietly and you may live to see another night."

Before she answered, she slowly finished her drink, examining her opposition. Five, though that was just here. The city's garrison undoubtedly housed countless more. She swallowed and turned towards the aggressors:
"Allow me to pass and perhaps you might see the end of this one."
Another group chuckle as the owner disappeared through a backdoor:
"Oh, little filly thinks she's tough. Take her away!"

Two of the guards moved, one left, one right. Under her hat, her horn already shone in a pink hue, as she gathered arcane power within her very muscles. They only managed a few steps before the swordsmare struck like lightning, cleaving in a wide arc. The two stared in awe as their weapons fell to the ground, broken and useless, then immediately retreated. The commander was not too happy about the situation and readied his own naginata.
"Blasted unicorn," he nodded at one of his subordinates and the mare immediately galloped outside. No doubt looking for friends, "let's see what you've got!"

She gazed at him with heightened senses. Truly, he was more skilled than the others, but not by much. His charge was more fury than calm, measured intent, many movements redundant and overblown. She had no such issues. With an augmented dash, she circumvented his defences, shattered his weapon, then delivered a powerful kick with her hind legs, sending the pony flying onto a nearby table, which broke on impact. A few teeth lay scattered on the ground.

She locked gazes with the last armed guard in the room and they reached an understanding. After he fainted on the spot, Lotus rushed outside, katana at the ready. The locals were panicking, rushing for the safety of their homes. A bell was ringing above the commotion. The alarm. She could already make out flashes of jade armour in the distance.

She ran through the city's streets, taking every back alley that she could. Eventually, she ended up within a small square, dominated by an equally minor fountain. There was only one exit, but as she took a few steps towards it, several guards moved in to cut her off. More jade armours soon entered the area, until she was outnumbered more than a dozen to one. Another designated captain shouted:
"Give up! You have nowhere to run!"
She bid her katana to float in front of her face as she took them all in. She then responded:
"Except through you."
"Attack, no mercy!"

The battle itself was short and intense, like a spring romance. The guard ponies charged in several waves, always coming from several directions at once. For a moment, Lotus closed her eyes. When she opened them once more, they possessed a faint, ethereal glow. The world around her slowed down.
The unicorn became little more than a blur, dashing, disarming and disposing of her opponents without giving them an opportunity to retaliate. Weapons and jaws alike were shattered as she struck with the ferocity of a monsoon. In a few dozen heartbeats, she stood alone within the square, panting heavily. The fountain was shattered, much like her foes.

A male voice broke the ensuing silence:
"Impressive."
She immediately turned. The pony was calm, collected, wearing light armour similar to her own, with that alarming shade of jade. His coat was dark blue, bordering on black, his mane a light shade of green. A pair of dark blue eyes shone in the dim light of the area. The most worrisome features, however, were the black horn sprouting from his head and the jade scabbard at his side.

Calmly, Lotus sheathed her blade and walked. The other unicorn mirrored her movements as they kept what remained of the fountain between them. She said:
"I see Kabuto has more competent lackeys."
"I humbly agree, lady Windrider."
"I seem to be at a disadvantage, for I know not who my opponent is."
"To my opponents, I am Razor. I am truly thankful that the whole assassination gambit failed. Falling to such trickery is no way for a warrior like yourself to pass on."
"True enough. I suppose you cannot simply allow me to depart."
"Regrettably, I must slay you," to punctuate his point, he drew his weapon. It was a finely crafted blade, she could see as much even from a distance. Its hilt was fashioned into the shape of a dragon's maw.

Drawing her own sword, she locked gazes with him. The two samurai took a few last breaths, then charged in almost perfect unison. Metal clashed with metal, the sounds of their duel echoing through the alleyways. To an onlooker, it would have almost seemed like a deadly dance.

Parry, sidestep, duck, slash, block, dodge, clash. Both unicorns breathed through gritted teeth, separating before once again closing the distance. Dodging a wide slash, Lotus managed to jump onto the roof of a nearby building. Her opponent was not far behind, landing with a mighty downward stab, which resulted in little more than a damaged roof. Once again, they allowed each other a few breaths, before resuming their waltz.

The moon shone brightly and from below, they looked like a pair of silhouettes, duelling at speeds others could scarcely even comprehend. During another clash, Razor commented:
"The tales of your skill were not exaggerated."
"And I bet they spread tales of yours, as well."

They danced for a few more moments, which to them seemed like hours. Lotus suddenly cried out, as a slash managed to dart between her defences and bit into her side. She retreated, hissing loudly due to the pain:
"L-lucky strike."
"It is only a matter of time now. Surrender and I guarantee lord Kabuto will be merciful."
She shot him a defiant glare:
"Never."
"I would have expected nothing less of you. Allow me, then, to grant you a warrior's death."

He dashed once again, and this time, she knew she couldn't keep up. She mustered her final defence and gritted her teeth, facing the inevitable with defiance. And then, he was suddenly forced to disengage, as a pair of floating daggers assaulted him. A sleek figure darted out of the shadows, her form concealed by a form-fitting, dark blue cloth, complete with a facemask. Only her eyes and horn were visible, golden and pink, respectively. In a high-pitched, cocksure tone, the newcomer spoke:
"Razor, dear, a little bit overenthusiastic, aren't we?"
A hint of anger could be heard from the samurai:
"Stay out of this, kunoichi!"
"Oh, I think not! For one, I don't believe that was a fair fight to begin with. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll get a second chance."

She pulled out some sort of orb from a concealed pocket and smashed it against the roof. A cloud of thick smoke filled the air. Razor slashed at it a few times in frustration, to no avail.

Lotus felt a tug on her shoulder and the kunoichi whispered:
"We need to go, now."
"I will not flee from..."
"Die here, and Neighpon could follow."

The swordsmare met eyes with her would-be rescuer.

When the smoke finally dissipated, Razor was alone. Calmly, he sheathed his blade and bowed slightly in Mother Moon's direction. The kunoichi was right, after all. He would have a proper duel, another time.

She had never run so fast in her life. Led by her ally, they managed to reach the city outskirts in record time, but only stopped galloping once Uma's lights were distant flickers on the horizon. She collapsed against a tree, panting heavily. Her saviour did much the same, but finally managed to say:
"Damn, Lotus. You never were good at keeping a low profile, but this..."
She did not expect the samurai to come closer and spontaneously hug her and say:
"Oh, Cherry, you came in the nick of time. Thank you."
The ninja hugged right back and said:
"Anything for an old friend. How bad is the wound?"

Lotus glanced at it again. It was a rather shallow cut and would have to be treated, but otherwise did not hinder her:
"It will be fine for now."
"If you say so. Now come, we need to get going. I'm sure your father will be relieved to know you are well."
"He is alright, then?"
"A bit bruised, but yes."
"Oh, you cannot imagine how relieved I am to hear that."
"Good. Let's get going, while Mother Moon watches over us."

As they ran, Lotus asked:
"How did you know where to find me?"
"Sensei alerted me. Had to bust my behind to make it on time."
"And there he was, claiming to be a stranger to the conflict."
Cherry mimicked the dragon's voice perfectly:
"Oh, I was merely observing that the capital looks especially nice on nights such as this one, dear Cherry Petal! Whether you wish to visit, well, that is up to you," she changed back to her regular energetic voice, "you know how he loves technicalities."
"That I do," her mind immediately drifted back to her greatest opponent, "that stallion, Razor..."
"Bit of a creep, but honourable."
"You seem to know him."
"He made a name for himself in the north. His family is honour-bound to serve Kabuto. Though, I feel he'd be the first in the line to stab the fat bastard, given the chance."
"I'd be second, then. What happened to Neighpon, Cherry?"
"I'm sure others could describe the situation better."
"Then let's make haste!"

They galloped through the night, watched over by Mother Moon.

She hadn't expected the resistance to Kabuto's rule to be located so close to his seat of power. Though, truly, perhaps that is why it had been chosen. An old, abandoned fort in the middle of ancient woods. Their every move was undoubtedly watched by sentries.

For the first time in her life, she felt relieved when several figures surrounded them, armed to the teeth. The royal crimson of their armour probably helped in that regard. She identified the leader, a pony with brown coat and a sizeable scar around one of his golden eyes. He screamed:
"Halt, in the name of the Emperor! Identify yourselves!"
"Cherry Petal, in the Emperor's service. And with me is..."
"Purist Lightshield," Lotus took a step forward, smiling, "have you forgotten me in but a short year?"
"Lady Lotus?!"
"One and only, old friend."

Immediately, the soldiers bowed, though Purist remained standing with a warm smile:
"You return sooner than we expected."
"And yet still not a moment too soon, it seems."
"Too true," he turned to the kunoichi, "great work, Cherry."
"Finding her wasn't exactly difficult. 'Lady' Lotus," said with a potent dose of friendly ribbing, "is not exactly known for being discreet."
"I'd simply hate to intrude upon your specialty. In any case," she turned back to the leader, "is the situation as bad as it seems?"
"Worse. Follow me, your father will be overjoyed to see you again."

The old fort was in much better shape than she remembered. Often, as a filly, she would venture into the ruins to play. Her spirit had been adventurous even back then. Royal red patrolled the reinforced walls and the vicinity. Some bowed as the two passed, others did not recognize her as readily.

The inside of the fort was a small maze of tents and other improvised structures. Most ponies there were resting, or simply attending to the fort's daily needs. The two walked to an especially large tent, its entrance flanked by yet more guards. Their armour was far more decorated than that of the other troops, the image of a mighty tornado emblazoned on their helmets and chest plates. She did not know them by name, but their faces were etched into her mind. With surprised glances, they bowed and one spoke:
"Lady Windrider! You have returned!"
"Indeed I have. May I see my father?"
"Of course."

They stepped aside and she nodded to Purist, before entering the tent.

The inside was rather cramped. A lone bed stood in the corner, the rest of space taken up by a small legion of chairs and a large table. A large map of Neighpon rested on it, with many areas highlighted. Most important, however, was the lone stallion looking at it with a frown.

He stood tall, wrapped in an elegant robe of royal crimson. His coat, once white as snow, was a faded gray. His mane, in the past a deep brown, was also showing signs of age. Tired, sky blue eyes scanned the map for a few more seconds, before turning up to look at the newcomer. Immediately, a bright spark of life ignited his gaze.

Lotus rushed towards him. An army wouldn't have stopped her then, as she flung herself into the stallion's eager, loving embrace. They stood there for a few moments in complete silence. Lotus almost wished the moment would last forever. Alas, that was not meant to be. Tenno Windrider spoke, joy evident in his voice:
"Dearest Lotus... I thought I might never see you again."
"Yet here I am," she looked up with a smile, but it soon faded. His face carried a deep scar she did not remember, "you are wounded."
"Had Teshin not deflected the blow, it would have been far worse. It was the nature of the would-be assassin that alarmed me the most."
"Let me take a wild guess. Tsukumogami?"
He gazed into her eyes again. One look was enough to learn all he needed to know:
"So they were sent after you, as well. Blasted Kabuto," in an uncharacteristic fit of rage, he kicked into one of the chairs and sent it flying across the tent, "and his sorcerer!"
"Sorcerer? Father, what exactly is going on in Neighpon right now?"

"It all began a few months after you left. Returning from travels to the west similar to yours, lord Kabuto was said to have brought back a mysterious stranger. I did not pay such rumours much heed at the time. I knew that Kabuto was ambitious, but he had never before had the resources necessary to openly oppose our rule.

Then, strange occurrences began. Convoys found plundered. Villages ransacked. Most suspiciously, only those of Kabuto's enemies or competitors. Yet there were never any signs of attackers and I dared not accuse a noble without any proof. Then came the first deaths and the attempt on my own life.

I saw the thing, then. A blade flying in the air, held by a shadowy, phantasmal figure. It struck with deadly precision, but left only this scar. The puzzle pieces fell in place. This mysterious stranger was whispered of as a sorcerer, a unicorn of immense power. Somehow able to command item-spirits and pit them against Kabuto's enemies.

Kabuto's forces grew in strength tenfold over the coming months. Due to subsequent conquests, or due to fear alone, our allies slowly dwindled. Only a few nobles now stand with us, while we remain here. In a trap of our own making.

That may all change soon."

The large tent suddenly felt very full. Figures in decorated armour stood around the map, discussing battle plans and strategies. Lotus did not pay it too much attention. She possessed the swift thinking of a warrior, not the calm, collected genius of a strategist. She sneaked a glance at her wound. Bandaged up and healing, though still undeniably there. She then turned to one pony who stood out among the crowd, Cherry Petal, who was busy informing the assembled commanders:
"With the information the scouts have provided, we have been able to pinpoint the location of the sorcerer's den. This is our chance to put an end to their foul magic."

One of the generals almost shouted, such was her excitement:
"Would storming the place in force be possible? Trap him like the rat he is!"
"Neigh," another, senior commander spoke up, "a large force would draw attention. The magus could flee at the first sign of danger. We need the precision of a dagger, not a sledgehammer!"

Their bickering intensified, before a single, commanding word washed over them:
"Silence," immediately, they complied, as the emperor looked towards the map, "we cannot risk that the stranger will withdraw. A team of assassins shall be formed, small enough to pass undetected through enemy territory. Once the deed is done," he moved closer to the map, indicating with his front hooves, "groups of riders will be sent out, declaring the sorcerer's death. Kabuto's rule stands on crutches of fear. Once they are removed, his reign will crumble. Our allies shall flock back and united, we shall recapture Uma," a murmur spread through the generals as they nodded, one by one, "now only one matter remains. How many assassins should be sent?"

Silence ensued, as they all contemplated the issue. For Lotus, the solution was clear:
"Two ponies," the assembly turned towards her, listening intently, "Cherry Petal and myself. We can cover ground quickly and discreetly, then strike at the enemy's heart and rid us of this fiend once and for all."

A murmur spread through the assembled strategists. Cherry nodded, obviously enthused by the idea. It came down to a single vote, as it usually did. Father and daughter met gazes. Tenno knew that look all too well. A determined, fierce gaze, unstoppable by anything short of a monsoon. His lips curled into a bitter smile as he spoke:
"Very well. It shall be so. You will leave with the first rays of morning. For now, rest. You have a long journey ahead of you."

Morning came after a restless night and bathed Neighpon in its warmth. The pair assembled at the gates of the fort.

After receiving a few final words of caution, the two assassins set out on their mission, the wind itself howling at their side.

Scythe's Hunger

Two days and nights, the would-be assassins rode through the land, avoiding any signs of jade on the way. There were many, and only got denser with each step closer to their goal. On the dawn of the third day, their target finally came into view. Ragefire Gorge.

It was a barren place. A chasm torn into the world due to intense volcanic activity, its soil barely enough to support irregular patches of grass. Its walls were thick stone, but even from a distance, they could see irregularities. Tunnels and holes had been dug into the earth. By skilled hooves, judging by their regularity. It was no longer just a sight of nature. It was also a military base.

The two infiltrators crept along the outskirts, watching the guards march to and fro in regular intervals. Their routines seemed solid enough at first glance, but extended watching revealed certain exploitable gaps. And for ponies like Lotus and Cherry, it was child's play to take advantage of them.

They crept right under the enemies' noses, moving swiftly and silently into the heart of the base. The guards easily numbered in dozens, each clad in Kabuto jade. Stopping for a moment to allow another patrol to pass, Lotus whispered:
"This sorcerer keeps a generous bodyguard."
"If all goes well, we will be gone long before the soldiers mobilise."
"Then let us move like the wind."

And so they did. It did not take long for them to reach the centre of the canyon. An especially large hole in the wall stood in the distance, a pair of guards keeping vigilant watch. The infiltrators glanced at each other, followed by nods. They separated, each making sure no other prying eyes were in the area. Then, they struck.
Moving as fast as lightning, they emerged next to their adversaries. The soldiers were caught utterly off-guard and both received a precisely aimed blow to the head. They collapsed on the spot, their helmets barely even cushioning the blow. The assassins shared another glance, then dragged the unconscious guards inside of the tunnel.

Cherry took a glance outside, then back to her compatriot:
"I will keep watch, you check deeper. If the sorcerer is down there, take care of them."
"Will do."
"Lotus?"
"Yes?"
"Be careful."

They stared at each other for a short while, before Lotus simply nodded. Without wasting another moment, she descended into the belly of the beast.

The tunnel coiled around like a snake, leading the swordsmare ever deeper into the earth. With each step, an unnameable stench became more and more prominent in the air. It was a foul mixture of what had to be dozens of alchemical reagents and it almost made her eyes tear up.
Finally, she reached the bottom and found herself in an almost stereotypical evil workshop. The reagents that irritated her nose so much were hung on the walls. Nearby tables featured various strange and more mundane tools of all shapes and sizes. Yet there was no sign of the sorcerer. Had they arrived too late?
The room had another exit and Lotus cautiously used it. What awaited her on the other end of the passage left her breathless. A truly immense underground cavern stretched for what had to be a good mile in every direction, its insides lit by torches with an unnatural, green flame. A small stream flowed through the area, the sound echoing throughout the area.

On the other side of the water, stood a lone figure, its body fully wrapped in a navy blue cloak. As soon as Lotus took a few steps forward, the sorcerer called out, his voice surprisingly high-pitched, yet raspy:
"I was wondering when this day would come."
"Are you some sort of prophet, sorcerer?" Lotus did not let her guard down for even a moment.
"Not in the slightest. But it does not take a great deal of intelligence to know I am a high priority target. There was bound to be an assassin sooner or later. I must say, having Lotus Windrider herself come after me is an honour. It also lets me finish what I started."
"We'll see about that."

Lotus blasted off with the wind at her side. With western magic users, speed was the key. She had to strike before the pony erected an arcane barrier and bring them down with a single, well-aimed strike. She closed the distance in the blink of an eye and struck. Her sword sliced right along where the side would be, cutting deeply and... with a surprising lack of resistance. She landed on all her legs a few metres away, even as she heard a body collapse onto the cavern floor.

Swiftly, she inspected her blade. To her utter confusion, it was pristine, without a single sign of blood or other bodily fluids. She immediately looked back, just in time to see the sorcerer's supposed corpse rise from the ground:
"Not bad, Lady Windrider. not bad," his robes were ruined and allowed for an unobstructed view of a skeletal ribcage, its pieces floating back together after her attack. A cloud of crimson dust floated between the bones, "but not good enough."

His head was now clearly visible, just as skeletal as the rest of him. Lotus held her blade in a defensive posture as she asked:
"What are you?"
"I could give you a lecture about that, if we had the time. The short version, though? I am a reject, a unicorn with thousands of years of experience," the dust gathered around his horn as he hovered above the ground, "I am Yevon the Eternal. And I will be your executioner."

Lotus dashed under him as he unleashed a bolt of arcane energy, vaporising part of the ground. The sorcerer turned to face her, only to black her blade at the very last moment with his magic. She landed on the ground and locked eyes with her opponent, even though Yevon did not have any.
He readied another attack, but this time, she met it head-on, with her blade. An explosion rocked the area, but when the dust settled, Lotus stood there unscathed. Yevon grunted:
"Ah, yes. The sacred Moonblade, forged in a dragon's flame. I am so forgetful sometimes."
"I do not fear your magic, sorcerer!"
"Truly? Then perhaps I can entertain you with something more mundane," with a flash of magic, a wicked instrument hovered next to him. A large, wicked scythe, its metal black as night, with a large, roughly cut emerald embedded in its blade, "and seeing as you are surely more experienced in this area, let us even the odds!"

He waved the scythe through the air and four more, though much more mundane versions, floated from hidden locations in the darkness. The gem emitted an eerie light and menacing, shadowy hands took hold of them. The item spirits were little more than shadowy silhouettes in the dim light of the cavern, yet they gripped their weapons with clear purpose.

Lotus hissed and prepared to defend herself, but the sounds of battle suddenly reached her ears. She turned around just in time to see none other than Cherry Petal fly from the passage to the workshop and land roughly on the ground. She got on her hooves, panting, just as a new, yet familiar figure entered the area.
Lotus cursed under her breath at the sight of that dark blue coat and green mane. Then, she cursed again when she saw just a hint of crimson staining his sword. She called out:
"Cherry!"

The kunoichi replied, her daggers at the ready:
"I should have known this wouldn't go easily."
The samurai was absolutely calm as he bowed slightly and acknowledged her:
"Lady Windrider."

Yevon, surprisingly enough, was not at all delighted to see him:
"Razor! A... pleasure to see you again. I do hope you haven't come to steal my glory?"
"The duel is your own. I shall not interfere," he pointed his sword at Cherry, "and neither will she."
"Excellent, excellent! Feel free to watch a true professional at work," the livid dead turned back to the swordsmare, "now, where were we?"

Immediately, the four tsukumogami charged, their leader close behind. Lotus met them in combat. At first, it seemed to be going fine, as the spirits were not nearly on her skill level and she parried or evaded them without too many problems. Once Yevon entered the fray, the sheer number of opponents became problematic.
The sorcerer attacked with reckless abandon, foregoing any sort of defence in favour of brutal, ruthless attacks. Lotus could have punished such recklessness under ordinary circumstances, but he was immune to standard counterattacks. Any damage she inflicted mended itself within moments and the spirits proved just as resilient.

Unlike previous assassins, their weapons were finely forged and resilient and she could not quite muster the strength to shatter them, especially when every other moment she was forced to evade a potentially lethal blow. Duck, sidestep, parry, block, measly counterattack. It continued in this manner for some time.

And then Lotus failed to keep up.

One of the spirits struck true, raking her side as she cried out. Yevon took this opportunity to blast her with magic, sending her through the air. She landed within the stream, bruised and wounded, though, thankfully, the water was relatively shallow. Shakily, she got back onto her hooves, leaving a crimson trail within the water. She coughed, ignoring the salty taste of her own blood, and raised her weapon for another confrontation, panting heavily.

The sorcerer was obviously amused:
"Bahahahah, don’t feel like running yet? That pride will be your undoing, Lady Windrider. Lord Kabuto will reward me generously for your head. Another step towards my triumphant return from exile," he chuckled to himself once more, "but I digress. It is time to end this."

With another wave of his scythe, the spirits marched. Lotus panted, swiftly forming another plan of attack, though she felt tired. Doubts lingered at the edge of her mind. What would happen if she failed? How many years would Kabuto's reign last? How many would... her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a male voice from behind her:

"The magic of a unicorn is an element all its own," Razor and Cherry had been observing the fight, but now, Cherry and Lotus both stared at the other samurai, "unicorn and arcane are one, indivisible. Calm and collected as a forest pond," Lotus's breathing grew more controlled as she calmed down and cleared her mind, "but when a disturbance appears, they become three things."

Lotus looked back to her adversaries. She knew those three things only too well.

A light breeze gathered around her, even as her adversaries drew close. Her fatigue seemed to evaporate in the blink of an eye. As the shadows raised their weapons to strike... she vanished. The sorcerer cried out in frustration and she reappeared behind her assailants, a powerful gale accompanying her movements. The wind. Untouchable, elusive.

The creatures turned to fulfil their commands, but the swordsmare struck first. Moonblade shone brightly with a silvery hue as she slashed through the air. In that moment, her blade was unstoppable, fuelled by a rising tide. The tidal wave. Merciless, unequalled in power.

One by one, their weapons were shattered. One by one, horrid wails filled the area as the creatures could no longer maintain their forms within the real world. With a determined look, she turned back to the sorcerer. Yevon screamed, even as the shadowy essence of his servitors gathered once again in his scythe:
"You think you can stop me?! I will summon another host, again and again!"

Lotus did not comment, only shot through the air to meet her opponent. As before, Yevon soared to meet her with reckless abandon. And this time, he would be punished. One with the wind, she evaded the clumsy blow and struck back. But her blow was not a wide swing as before. In that moment, she was the final aspect. The samurai. Tempered by honour, precise and deadly.

She stabbed downwards as she evaded the mighty scythe. Moonblade struck against Yevon's arcane gem. The crystal seemed to resist for a moment, before it was violently shattered into a thousand tiny fragments. She was sure that if he had the organs to do so with, Yevon's eyes would have been wide.

She landed on the ground and proceeded to collapse. The exhaustion returned tenfold. Her magic was spent, every fibre in her body ached. The sorcerer wailed above her:
"You insolent wretch! What have you done?! I'll turn you into reagents for this," the scythe rose into the air and he swung it in a slow, clumsy, overhead swing. Lotus could not have dodged even if she tried. She could barely even move. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable. Cherry screamed in the distance, but all she could hear was the undead, "dieeeeee-ack, wha-?!"

Blessed oblivion never arrived. She opened her eyes again to see a shadowy hand holding the scythe in place. The spirit growled and dozens of its kin joined into the rather unsettling chorus. They grabbed hold of the skeletal magus, one after another, while the fiend screamed:
"Unhand me, you worms! I am your master!"

The tsukumogami obviously disagreed. With hellish wails, the spirits attacked their jailer. Their shadowy claws did not shatter bone. No, they instead slashed at the crimson dust swirling inside of Yevon's form. It was resistant, but the sheer number of attackers scattered it. Bit by bit, the sorcerer's essence vanished into thin air, even as he cried out:
"S-stop! I-I demand it!"

The skeletal body fell apart during the onslaught, its bones dispersing over the area. Yet no matter how much the incorporeal creatures tried, they could not destroy the sorcerer. A single spark, one little red speck of life always floated within his skull. The freed slaves were irritated by this, but found their own way. Bones were, after all, items.
Just as they had fallen apart, the sorcerer's many bones came to life, before scattering themselves in a thousand directions, digging into the earth and lodging themselves into every nook and cranny of the underground caves.

Lotus, now alone, stared at the skull. Without showing any further emotion, she lashed out with one of her aching hooves and kicked it. It flew in a precise arc, right into the stream, where it proceeded to sink. The battle was over and she allowed herself to collapse once again. A voice, much too loud considering her headache, soon filled her surroundings:
"Lotus! Lotus, talk to me!"
"Cherry... too loud."
"Oh, sorry."

"Marvellously fought," they turned to the stallion, standing at the very edge of the stream, "watching you at work is a joy, lady Windrider."
The kunoichi helped her get up as she asked a simple question:
"W-why?"
Razor tilted his head a little, a slight grin on his face:
"Well, for one, I never liked him as an interior designer. Secondly, his practices were abominable, honourless and foul."
"Why didn't you take him out yourself if you hated him so much?" asked Cherry, still frowning.

The answer came from the swordsmare leaning against her shoulder:
"H-honour," Razor nodded slightly, "the sorcerer was still an ally of his lord."
"Indeed. And thirdly, falling to such arcane treachery is hardly a fitting end for one such as you, Lady Windrider."
She managed a grin:
"Heh, that sounds familiar, Razor. So, what now?"
He looked back towards the sorcerer's workshop, then to the assassins:
"You may wish to flee. Me and the kunoichi caused a fair deal of commotion. Guards are undoubtedly on their way. Follow the stream," he pointed with his blade into the darkness, where the water flowed, "it goes deep, but surfaces roughly four miles away."

The duo shared a look, then they both bowed his way. Lotus commented:
"Thank you, honourable opponent."
"May the wind grant you speed. And I look forward to our rematch, Lady Windrider."
"Mark my words, Razor, you shall have it."

They parted ways. The two infiltrators started with tired shambling, before gradually increasing their speed to something more respectable. Cherry lit the path ahead and always kept glancing back at her exhausted friend. Lotus seemed to walk more due to tenacity than any actual energy, but said nothing. Typical.

True to Razor's word, the blessed company of sunlight awaited them after an hour or so of trudging through the underground. Lotus made sure to take a long, deep breath of fresh air. Heavenly. Cherry had that look again and the samurai responded pre-emptively:
"Yes, I'm fine. Really."
"No, it's not that. You just seemed... lost in your thoughts for a moment."
"Well, today has been a rollercoaster of emotions."
"Heh, you got that right. That Razor is some stallion, huh?"
"A conflicted soul," Lotus sighed, "an honourable warrior serving an honourless lord."
"Quite a pickle to be in. And he's handsome, too."

Lotus' response was flat, deadpan:
"What?"
"Oh, come off it! Tall, dark and mysterious swordspony, complete with a conflicted soul, as you put it? The sappy romance novels write themselves!"
"Right... let's just continue."
"So you have given it some thought!"
"I have no idea what you are talking about."

Cherry giggled:
"You always go super serious when you're embarrassed, you know that?"
"I do now."

They shared a look, then a heartfelt laugh. They galloped through the night, watched over by Mother Moon.

Blade's Bite

Duel. A word which carried quite a bit of weight. Hailed above all other forms of combat as a true test of an individual's skill. A lifetime of training boiled down to but a few fateful moments of clashing arms. In the end, only one could claim victory, their opponent swept away by the sands of time.

Lotus wondered how many such events would follow in the hours and days ahead. She was nestled in the middle of an intimidating force, easily numbering in the thousands. Crimson banners were plentiful among the host, proudly displaying the emblem of the Windrider line. A mighty tornado, ready to sweep away all foes. And its fury was being directed at one enemy in particular.

At their current pace, their forces would reach the gates of Uma by nightfall. Bloodshed of such scale during Mother Moon's reign would be a sure-fire way to anger Her, so the army would rest. With the first rays of dawn, the battle would commence. Their victory was all but assured. What mattered now was how many would fall to achieve it.

She glanced once more at the riders galloping beside her, each a noble of some renown and power, united once again under House Windrider after the sudden disappearance of the feared sorcerer. She only truly regarded a handful among them, those who had remained loyal despite all odds. Those were the ones to keep close.

And then there was Tenno Windrider. His pristine, decorated armour, passed down from parent to child for generations, hid his ageing features remarkably well. But even though his gaze was determined, she could tell questions similar to her own troubled his mind. As one of the nobles continued to prattle on, father and daughter met gazes. He smiled, the sort of timid, reassuring smile that had always been able to ease her concerns. And no matter how grim the immediate future might have seemed, the smile's magic worked again.

Hours passed uneventfully until finally, the walls of Uma could be seen in the distance. The final obstacle in their path was the mighty river Amagawa, which coiled through the land like a mighty snake. Only a few bridges, located miles apart, would allow them to cross its deep, ferocious waters. Night drew closer, so time was of the essence if the force was to be rested come morning.

It was then that a pony from the vanguard came rushing through the ranks, straight towards the emperor and his retinue. From a distance, he shouted:
"Lord Windrider!"
He reached them in but a few moments, panting. Tenno asked:
"What is it, soldier?"
"There... there is a samurai on the bridge, my Lord. He claims he has unfinished business with..."
"Me," Lotus spoke up.
"Yes, Lady Windrider."
She turned to her father:
"It is Razor, the samurai in Kabuto's service."
Tenno frowned, then asked the messenger:
"And he demands a duel?"
"Yes, my Lord. One watched over by Mother Moon."
"A ploy," a loyalist noble commented, "Kabuto is trying to buy time, so he sends his lackey to stall."
"Surely, we do not intend to fall for it?" called out another.

Tenno looked Lotus in the eyes. He knew that look. That gaze of fierce determination she always had when her heart called for action. When her curiosity had called her to explore the land during the night. When her courage had demanded training to become a full-fledged samurai. When her wanderlust had made her lust for foreign lands. He knew she would have followed his judgement, no matter what he said. But he knew better than to try and quench the fire in her soul. After but a moment of deliberation, he said:

"We must. This duel is a matter of honour. Ignoring honour would undermine what Neighpon is built upon. We shall have to seek one of the other bridges," he turned to the messenger, "soldier, Cherry Petal was assigned to your scout group, correct?"
"Yes, my Lord."
"Tell her to remain at the bridge, she shall oversee the duel. The rest of the vanguard is to scout the other river crossings without delay."
"It shall be done."

As the messenger galloped away, the emperor looked at his only heiress. The proud visage of a ruler was replaced by the concerned gaze of a loving parent. He leaned in closer and whispered:
"Promise me you will be careful, dearest Lotus."
"Careful as always, father."
"Hah, that does not bode well."
She tried to contain a chuckle, to no avail. Tenno nodded and they parted ways, though both still headed for a fateful battle.

The bridge was a simple, wooden, but sturdy construction. Wide enough for two loaded carts to pass side by side, it was most certainly not the most ideal crossing for an army. It was, however, a fairly appropriate setting for a duel. The Amagawa River roared below, dozens of stones bursting just above the surface of the water. The rapids those formations created were rather infamous, as many unfortunate, or thrill-seeking souls had met their end there. Uma could be seen faintly in the distance.

And then there was the unicorn.

She greeted Cherry almost absent-mindedly, her gaze locked with Razor's.

The other samurai sat roughly in the middle of the bridge, utterly calm, unfazed. She mimicked him and made her way to the centre and sat down. The two continued to stare, a light breeze moving through the air.

Finally, Razor spoke:
“A nice day, is it not?”
“Indeed. I’d prefer if it was meant for frolicking, rather than bloodshed.”
“Fate is cruel, sometimes,” he glanced sideways, at the mighty river below, “much too often, as of late.”
“May I ask something?”
“Of course.”
“Why is your family honour-bound to Kabuto?”

Razor blinked, then took a deep breath:
“A matter of our ancestors. My great grandfather swore an oath of fealty to his. The Kabuto line had been grand back then. I imagine at least Kabuto’s line was immensely pleased that a unicorn was miraculously born within mine. Dulled the disappointment when the young lord grew up into a sly worm.”
“The love you hold for your lord is simply breath-taking.”
“Heh, it is a tumultuous alliance, to be sure. It will be over today, one way or another. The lord has lost his skeletal pet and with it, most of his allies.”
“And yet, many will still die. Pointlessly.”
“Such is the nature of these games.”

A few moments passed in silence. Lotus then asked one last question:
“Razor?”
“Yes, Lady Windrider?”
“May I know the name of my opponent?”
Their eyes met once more, gentle pink and dark blue:
“Kouki. Of house Tensei.”
“It is an honour, Ser Tensei.”

For what little remained of the day, the two samurai sat in silence.

As soon as the sun vanished, they rose and scanned the night sky. A few rebellious clouds were trying to hide her, but Mother Moon shone brightly down upon the land. In unison, the two drew their blades.
Razor’s draconic katana and Moonblade met in the air as the two samurai gazed up at the queen of the night sky and, in unison, uttered an ancient incantation:
“Mother Moon, bless our arms. May the finest among us triumph on this night.”

They bowed to each other, turned away and took exactly seven steps. Afterwards, they met gazes. The wind howled as both warriors brought their magic to bear. In the blink of an eye, they clashed, the tell-tale clang of their blades travelling for quite a distance.

Usually, such duels were decided swiftly, even if the final blow did not land for some time. One combatant showed themselves as the superior, forcing their foe on the defensive with only a slim chance at counterattack, at best.

These two were different. Evenly matched, the two unicorns engaged in a deadly dance, switching from offence to defence at a moment’s notice. They dashed around the bridge at incredible speeds, clashing and disengaging with a violent rhythm. Whenever they met, magic erupted from their blades, while the wind roared past in a shockwave.

Razor suddenly gained the advantage. He dashed to the side and struck. Though she blocked it, the force of the blow sent Lotus flying past the bridge’s railing and beyond. Cherry gasped and the jade samurai walked to the edge. Lotus stood there on a single hind leg, balancing expertly on one of the sharp rocks under the bridge. The crimson samurai looked up with a smirk:
“Sorry to disappoint, but I refuse to bathe when you are watching like that.”
“Heh,” Kouki dropped down and landed on a similar pair of stones, “not even if I join you?”
“Especially not!”

Their dance continued just a few feet above the rapids. They jumped from stone to stone, meeting in the air before landing precariously on the rocks once more. Lotus struck faster this time. Bidding the wind to carry her, she shot through the air, mere inches above the raging river, and slashed towards the heavens. Razor was launched high, then came crashing down onto the bridge.

He rose to his feet momentarily, just in time to see Lady Windrider join him on solid ground. A few strands of green hair fell onto the bridge shortly afterwards. A bit too close for comfort.

The wind died down for a few moments as the two warriors took deep, long breaths.

An ordinary duel would have been long over. Several swings wasted early on could decide the victor.

This was no ordinary duel.

The wind picked up again, howling like never before, as the two readied their katanas. Their muscles, their gazes unyielding like steel. With a final exhale, they charged, bathed in moonlight.

Not even Cherry could follow it clearly as they zipped across the bridge in the blink of an eye. But her ears could hear it. Or, more precisely, could not hear it. The scraping of metal on metal.

The wind died again. The combatants stood with their backs turned to the other, breathing once again. Razor let out a grunt. Lotus inspected Moonblade and, with her magic, wiped the crimson nectar along its edge.

A chuckle sounded behind her, accompanied by the tell-tale sound of a blade entering its sheath. Her opponent commented:

“And so it is settled,” she turned and looked over his wound. Long, but shallow, running along his entire side. A hair’s width deeper and he would have been disembowelled. Currently, it would only become a scar. A calculated cut, “and yet I still draw breath.”
“I repaid my debt from earlier. A life for a life.”
“Heheh, and proved your worth at the same time. A brilliant display of swordsmanship, I must say.”

Cherry Petal dashed across the bridge, coming to a halt in front of Lotus. She opened her mouth to speak, perhaps to say a word of congratulations in a snide manner. Her expression turned to one of shock as her face was suddenly bathed in light. Lotus turned around.

Uma stood in the distance, bathed in light. It took a good few seconds for the distant echo of something akin to a thunder crack to reach their location. Smoke rose into the air. The kunoichi finally shouted:
“Uma! It’s on fire!”
“But who… what…”
“That coward,” they turned to Razor. His glare was cold as ice, “scorched earth. He will burn it all down to buy time for his escape.”

Cherry took a step back as Lotus emitted something vaguely reminiscent of a predatory growl. The wind already gathering around her, she commanded in a stern, but calm voice, passed down through generations of the Windrider line:
“Cherry, with me. That bastard is not getting away.”
“Not in a lifetime, Lady Windrider!”

The two rushed off, side by side, leaving the defeated swordsman alone. He watched them rush towards the horizon, contemplating.

The wind rose around his hooves.

The fire spread quickly between Uma’s mostly wooden buildings. Despite this, slowly but surely, it was brought back under control. The sheer number of ponies aiding these efforts helped. Royal crimson and Kabuto jade marched side-by-side, handing each other buckets and escorting civilians to safety. As if they had never been divided in the first place.

She yearned to aid with their efforts, but her quarry was elsewhere. Uma had three main gates. Only the western and eastern ones could have been used by the coward to make his escape. Cherry had chosen east, Lotus west.

The samurai galloped along the cobblestone path, her senses scanning for any sign of ambush. Instead, they picked up the sound of a carriage and at least six sets of hooves. Even when fleeing, the fool could not forsake his amenities.

A few more turns and they were in sight. Four jade guards shouted orders and rode to meet her, while the two pulling the carriage accelerated. He would not get away that easily. The guards were scattered as the tidal wave crashed into them, casting them aside like twigs. The wind rushed forward and forced the cart to halt. The samurai looked at the two in the front, simple servants by the looks of it, and spoke:
“Flee now and no harm shall come to you.”

They took her up on her generous offer. Slowly, she approached the carriage, blade drawn. As she got closer, she could hear a slow, mocking clop of hooves, followed by a smug, cocksure voice:
“Congratulations on your duel, Lady Windrider.”

Slowly, Lord Kabuto stepped out into the open. A tall, fierce looking stallion, he was slightly pudgy, but nowhere near to the extremes the frequent jokes about him would have lead one to believe. A sky-blue coat was accompanied by a mane as white as clouds, wrapped up in a set of elegant, violet robes. His eyes were two green emeralds which seemed to pierce through her soul. Lotus spat back:
“I have no need for your empty words, coward.”
“Such disrespect. Perhaps I should not expect more from a Windrider.”
“Watch your tongue,” her blade dangled inches away from his face, though he remained unfazed, “or I may feel inclined to relieve you of its burden.”
“Och, but how would I then get through my fair and honest farce of a trial? Please, Lady Windrider, we are wasting time here. You have your prize.”
“You do not qualify as much, I…”

A rustling came from behind her. She turned just in time to see one of the guards lunging forth with his weapon. Expertly, she stepped to the side and slammed her opponent aside. When she turned back, however, she gasped.
Kabuto held a short dagger in his teeth and was drawing closer, the metal aimed for her neck. She reacted as fast as she could, the world around her seemed to move in slow motion. Her attempted parry was perhaps just a bit too slow, even her fine blade cumbersome compared to the nimble dagger.

And then, Kabuto screamed in agony. A crimson rain erupted from his neck as a long, finely crafted blade drove its entire length through it, pinning the coward against the carriage in the process. The blade’s hilt, fashioned into the shape of a dragon, seemed to bite down on the lord’s neck.
As the stallion whimpered on the ground, a figure in jade armour emerged from the undergrowth. The dark blue stallion’s gaze was locked on his master for a few moments, before turning to Lotus. Deathly silence ensued as the Lord’s last breath left his lips.

Lotus took a few steps towards Kouki, and bowed slightly:
“It would seem I am once again in your debt, Ser Tensei.”
“No,” he said, removing his helmet and armour with his magic, “that was all for me.”

The gardens of Uma’s royal palace were always a welcome sight. Complete with a calm pond and a few stereotypical cherry trees, it was an especially beautiful sight when the plants blossomed and the wind carried their petals far and wide. There was still some time until that, however.

The posted guards bowed to her as she entered, her usual armour replaced by a comfortable kimono. Her black mane, allowed to grow for a bit too long, was tied into a stylish bun. Pink eyes darted across the area and finally rested upon the lone figure sitting at the base of one of the trees. With her magic, she levitated a pair of trays, filled with a decent selection of foods, and made her way towards the tree.

Kouki regarded her with a single glance, but otherwise remained silent as he kept staring up at the moon, partially obstructed by clouds. It would rain soon. She placed the tray in front of him, then sat down next to him with her own. He did not even move. Lotus looked at him and said:
“I was told you refuse to eat.”
He sighed and looked down at the tray, the small ring attached to the base of his horn reflecting the moonlight:
“I see no reason to do so, Lady Windrider.”
“Since when is dying from starvation considered a fitting way to go?”
“Do I deserve anything more? A warrior who slew his own lord? In the heat of the moment, it seemed like the right thing to do, but in hindsight?”
“You slew a coward and a traitor.”
“One who I was sworn to protect,” they met gazes, “whose life was placed in my hooves. No matter how many times my mind tries to excuse the act, its gravity remains. I may be a hero in the eyes of some, but to others, I am the worst of traitors.”

Insects buzzed nearby as Lotus’s horn started glowing:
“Truthfully, I understand your point of view. My point still stands. Starvation is no way for a warrior to pass,” from her kimono, she retrieved a short blade in an ornate, decorated scabbard and placed it down on the ground, next to his tray, “definitely not for a samurai.”

His dark blue eyes locked onto the blade, then at her once he felt her magic brush against the base of his horn. The ring which had restrained his magic fell to the ground. He took a deep breath and said:
“I thank you for thi-“
“But,” she interjected, “before you make your choice, know that there is another option.”
“I cannot see wha-“
“I have taken the liberty of talking to many of the nobles and Emperor Windrider on your behalf. They have agreed to grant you a chance at regaining your lost honour. An act of penance.”

His eyes seemed to flash at the prospect:
“And what would this entail?”
“It is all quite straightforward. As soon Neighpon is restored to some semblance of order, I fully intend to return to my travels once again. Due to past experiences, however, my father has demanded that I take a worthwhile bodyguard with me. Despite being a capable fighter myself, I can understand his concerns,” she stared into his eyes, “further, a proper noble should have a bodyguard, even for only symbolic purposes. And I would argue there is no finer warrior in Neighpon for the job than yourself.”

Kouki blinked several times:
“This… this is not quite what I had in mind when you said penance.”
“Are you implying that protecting the only heiress to the throne is not a task of sufficient importance?!”
“No, no, I merely-“
“Then do not waste your breath, Ser Tensei. Reach for the blade, or for your chopsticks.”

Kouki looked down at the tray, then at the ceremonial blade, then at her. Seconds passed like years, but Lotus frowned when his magic gripped the blade. He unsheathed it and twirled it in the air for a few moments like toy, before finally turning it towards himself. When the blade moved again, Lotus closed her eyes.

She only opened them again when she heard a loud, almost deliberate munching. She stared wide-eyed, several tears streaming down the sides of her muzzle, as Razor ate a few impaled pieces of seaweed from the blade, dipped in wasabi paste. He glanced at her mischievously:
“I never was a fan of chopsticks.”

“You idiot,” several guards streamed into the room just in time to see Lotus deliver a kick with her hind leg, the prisoner grunting in response, “I legitimately thought you were going to go through with it!”

The guards shared knowing looks and vacated the garden once again.

“Ugh, I suppose I did deserve that, Lady Windrider.”
“You suppose?! Here I was, concocting a plan to get you to… och, horseapples!”
“Horseapples?”
“It’s a pseudo-curse word they use in the west.”
“Heh, adorable, somewhat.”
“Seeing as you have made your choice, I hereby grant you permission to address me simply as Lotus when in an informal setting.”
“You may continue to address me however you seem fit, La… Lotus.”
“Very well, then, Kouki. Enjoy your meal, you fiend.”

He dug into his tray with renewed vigour, while she ate calmly next to him, eating her fill before resting her chopsticks. He glanced at her tray in an almost predatory manner and said:
“If I may be so bold, could I perhaps,” with a smile, she pushed her tray towards him, “t-thank you. I am suddenly starving.”

She tried to stiffen a chuckle, to no avail. Her amusement proved contagious, as the two of them quickly devolved into intense, heartfelt laughter. After finally managing to calm down, they stared up at the clouded moon. The swordsmare said:
“You know, I love these kinds of nights.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. While the moon’s light is always a welcome companion, on nights like this one, you can just camp outside and fall asleep easily,” she scooted closer and leaned against his warmth, “all you have to do is find a good place to lie down.”
“L-lady Windrider?”

Seeing his calm, collected visage suddenly break as he became flustered was simply precious.

“Kouki, this is still an informal setting. Furthermore, you have already chosen penance. I will have you know I can be very demanding and tonight, I feel like sleeping right here. It is your sworn duty to protect me.”
He chuckled:
“I’m not sure who is protecting who at this point.”
“That might just mean it’s mutual.”

Without another word, she closed her eyes, listening to his quickened heartbeat. Her own heart skipped a few beats when he leaned against her, as well, before they both calmed down and drifted into dreamland together.

Somewhere within that realm, Mother Moon briefly looked over her many subjects, paying special respect to those in the far east. Their dreams were much less troubled than in the past several months. With a smile, she moved on to quell what nightmares remained, so that her children of the night could finally rest.