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A shrill cry echoed through the night. The towns people were rushing about as a group of men stormed the front gates. In the night metal flashed crimson as it weaved an arc in the air. The town’s people screamed for help as the assailants made their way into the centre of town, stopping to gather their forces. A lone figure on a roof top took in the scene before darting away with speed towards a building on the eastern side of the village.
"Master!" The figure yelled as it approached the gates of the building. "The Guryues have attacked, they have broken the treaty!"
The men inside the building shuffled around, astonished gasps and cry’s breaking the silence. A figure made his way towards the messenger, the eyes of the other figures following his movements.
"Are you sure Hitoshi?" The figure said, his voice slightly elderly and filled with concern.
"Yes master, I am sure. As we speak they attack the town’s people. They seek to provoke us by waiting in the town centre." Hitoshi said, his voice quivering. The other figures in the let out shouts of anger as they went for their weapons. The master’s hand went up and stopped them all.
"The Guryues have wanted the Oritshi Clan wiped out since we took their role as protectors of the Realm. We must show them that we will not stand for this outrage. Men prepare for battle, tonight we show our strength." The master said, age seeming to dissolve as he stirred his men to action. Looking back again at Hitoshi the master sighed. "Hitoshi, you must make sure this clans name is not extinguished. To you I will place this task. Take the scroll of the Ice warrior and flee this town."
"But master..." Hitoshi protested before the master could cut him off.
"There is no dishonour in this. The Guryues plan to take our techniques and bend them to their own devices, they would commit evil with our learning’s. This is the dishonour."
"I understand." Hitoshi said with a grim voice. "I will not let them have this scroll." He said before bowing to the master and darting off to the buildings dojo. Inside hanging on the far wall was the scroll, the scroll of the ice warrior. Quickly closing the distance Hitoshi found himself in front of the scroll, something didn’t feel right. Stopping and looking around he caught the glint of an arrows head as it came hurtling towards him. Sidestepping away the arrow missed him and struck the wall behind him. "Who is there?" Hitoshi said coldly as he darted towards the shadow where the arrow had come from.
"Never you mind boy, just die!" Came the reply as two more arrows were shot at Hitoshi. Spinning his body around he avoided the two arrows, drawing his dagger as he spun. Leaping at the shadow he slashed before catching the wall with his foot and pushing himself away. "Impressive." the voice spoke again as a figure darted in the opposite direction as Hitoshi. Landing on the ground the two ninja faced each other.
"You will not have the scroll." Hitoshi spat at the other ninja.
"Oh I think I will. It’s only a matter of time before my clan destroys your clan and takes it." The figure spat back, his voice tinged with laughter.
"Over my dead body." Hitoshi said coldly, taking up a fighting stance. His dagger clutched in his hand, blade down.
"That’s the idea boy." The figure replied taking up a fighting stance of his own, his right fist in front of him as his left tucked behind his back.
The two ninja stood for a moment, their eyes taking in the stance of the other. Their eyes locking in a cold stare as they both prepared to fight to the death. It was the Guryue clan ninja that made the first move. Crouching down he launched himself towards Hitoshi, his right fist rising in the air. Closing in his right fist darted at Hitoshi. Raising his left fist Hitoshi countered the attack and spun around, his foot flying into the body of the Guryue ninja. The Guryues predicted the attack and blocked with his own leg. Spinning around the Guryue ninja lashed out with his left hand which concealed a small dagger, the dagger biting into the side of Hitoshi. Leaping back Hitoshi spat on the ground.
"I see you Guryue scum know a trick or two." Hitoshi said hotly to the other ninja, ignoring the cut in his side.
"Well our clan has been around longer then yours." The Guryue ninja chuckled before lashing out with his right hand, a wave of heat and fire rushing towards Hitoshi. Gasping Hitoshi darted away again, narrowly avoiding the attack.
"A chi user?" Hitoshi gasped as he focused on the ninja. "I didn’t sense that on you."
"Sense it?" The figure said slightly confused. "How could you sense it unless you were also..." That was as far as the other ninja got, a bolt of frost erupting out of Hitoshi's hands striking the ninja in the chest and sending him across the room. In a flash Hitoshi was upon the ninja, his blade slashing in the air, cutting the ninja a large gash in his chest. Rolling backwards the ninja let out an angry roar as he launched himself at Hitoshi, from behind he pulled out a sword and swung, Hitoshi's dagger catching it and sending the blade away. For an instant the ninja was off balance, but and instant was all Hitoshi needed. Spinning around and ducking down, he flipped the dagger in his hand and slashed upwards, standing up as he did so. The dagger caught the Guryue ninja in the stomach and opened up a cut that went up to his neck.
"See you in hell." Hitoshi spat as he kicked out with his foot, sending the Guryue across the room, landing in a pool of his own blood. Quickly Hitoshi ran up to the scroll again and took it down. Winding it up quickly he put it away as he heard the sounds of battle. "Master, I will keep the scroll safe." Hitoshi said quietly before he made for a small door to the side of the dojo that only his clan was familiar with.
Outside Hitoshi swung himself up to the roof of the dojo. From there he could see the fight erupting all around him. Swords were clashing in the darkness, the glint of steel on steel revealing partial faces of anger and hatred for a moment before they faded back into darkness. The building that Hitoshi had called home was up in flames and all around that he could see warriors unleashing their Chi powers. It was easy to see that his clan, the Oritshi, were outnumbered. A tear began to form in the corner of Hitoshi's eye as he turned away and leapt off the dojo's roof. Landing on the ground on the other side of the buildings bordering wall, Hitoshi broke into a run towards the town gates. As he ran he saw the destruction and carnage the Guryue had caused.
"All this death just to get to us?" He thought to himself as he ran, not being able to contain his horror at what he saw. "Why did they have to kill the town’s people?" At the gates he took a look back at the town. He knew he would never be able to return. In the distance he could still hear the clashing of weapons and the flames that lapped at the buildings. "Master..." He said quietly as he stood there, fighting with his feelings. He wanted to run back and help his clan, but at the same time he knew he had to carry out his masters orders. Turning his back, Hitoshi ran from the town.
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