BLOOD SAMURAI

ONE MAN ARMY PART 1 (TEMIRCHI)

A few weeks later, Kiyoshi arrives in a new town called Temirchi. A town that is renowned for the amazing blacksmiths that it had produced over the centuries. But for now, it is home to Kiyoshi's new mission. As Kiyoshi follows the directions given to him by Sairon, he can see that the town is filled with old, outdated but very well-kept buildings and houses, which could be at least two centuries old, Islamic-style architects. Smoke fills the air as blacksmiths work on their craft from every corner and every other building. As Kiyoshi continues on he can see fishing boats returning to dock from the Qora Dengiz sea with rough and dark waters pushing the small vessels around. The atmosphere of the town is quiet with no one in sight, which could be because Kiyoshi is passing through the back alleyway of the town, avoiding major roadways as requested by the client.

As he walks through the back passageways, he notices a red flag with a black and yellow dragon circling the sun. "What are Xeng flags doing here? " He wondered. Finally, he reached the location of a blue and brown blacksmith shop with a large sliver ax as the sign which read perfect craft blacksmithing. Kiyoshi entered through the back door and proceed down the stairway until he came across an old rusty iron door. He knocked on the door and a tiny window within the door opened, relieving a pair of bright green eyes. "Who's there?" asked the person behind the door, trying to mask their voice as to not be noticed. "Kiyoshi" he replied. "If you are that person, what is the password?" The person behind the door remarked.

Kiyoshi took a deep breath and replied, "The Lord has given us all we need, we just have to take it".There was a moment of silence before the door opened, making a loud and long screeching sound as it did. Behind the door was a girl in a brown robe that covered her entire body, only showing off her beautiful green eyes. She ushered Kiyoshi through the door before closing it. The pair walked down the hallway, which was poorly lit by candles running down the walls of the hallway. They soon arrived at a wooden door. The woman knocked on the door and mumble something that sounded like hazratimiz but Kiyoshi wasn't sure. The door opened. Inside were a group of people, at least forty of them all dressed in the same robe.

They surrounded Kiyoshi, as one of them approached Kiyoshi and removed the hood of his robe to relieve the face of an old man. His skin was pale, his face was wrinkled and old, with a scar running down the left side of his eye. And despite looking like he was in his mid-seventies, the hair on the old man was shiny, jet black. The man grabbed Kiyoshi's hands and ushered both of them to sit. "You must be the blood samurai." The old man remarked. "My name is Shamak Bukhara, and it is a pleasure to meet you, young samurai," continued the old man as he bowed his head to Kiyoshi. "We desperately need your help. We are being slaughtered daily and our people are dying." proclaimed Shamak as tears flow from his eyes. "Explain to me what is going on here," replied Kiyoshi. "It started a few months ago. They came in with their ships, massive ones. Now we are accustomed to Xeng and other countries, sending a large group of soldiers to our shores. After all, we are blacksmiths and they are going for business. But this time was different. They came in and conquered our town. No warning, no negotiations, nothing."

Shamak continued as he began shaking. "They told us our town is now a Xeng stronghold and we are now part of the Xeng kingdom. At first, they just made us a lock-off trade with the rest of the world, but then they showed their true colors. They started killing blacksmiths whose work they found 'not up to standard'. Then started kidnapping our women and carrying them to their stronghold, raping them and turning them into slaves. Any woman that resisted was burned at the stake like a witch for all to see. Now they have kidnapped more women two being and daughter and her daughter, I am worried about their safety and mental health being with those animals. Please, I am begging you to save us, save my granddaughter and my daughter," cried out Shamak as kissed the feet of Kiyoshi with tears flowing down his face.

The whole situation made Kiyoshi uncomfortable as he was not accustomed to people treating him and a kind of respect but as a weapon of destruction. But before Kiyoshi can gather himself to respond, one of the men in robes flew up, causing his face to show. He was in his late twenties, with long bread, pale skin, and dark brown eyes. "Why beg and worship this complete stranger for help? I and the other men here are more than enough to stop them, ", shouted the young man in a rage. " We don't you blood samurai be gone, ", the man continued on his rant. "Silence," shouted Shamak to the young man. "You are not a warrior, you a blacksmith, nothing more, boy," Shamak continued. "But father I can do this". Shouted the young man back to Shamak. "Oh, really, if you could do this, why didn't you stop them from killing your mother, Abdulaziz? " Shouted Shamak, enraged by his son's disrespect towards their guest. Abdulaziz, thrown back by his father's words, sat down and threw the hoodie back over his head, hiding his facial expressions. "Am sorry for my son. He does not know his place. Please help us," stated Shamak as he apologises to Kiyoshi for Abdulaziz's behavior. Kiyoshi raises to his feet, bringing Shamak to his feet as well.

" I will help you all out but please no need to worship me, it is my job after all" stated Kiyoshi. With overwhelming joy, Shamak hugged Kiyoshi, making him more uncomfortable, as people had never shown him that affection before besides Sairon and a few other people. " I need to know where their stronghold or base is so I can formulate a plan of attack," stated Kiyoshi "By the way even if even if I destroy the base wouldn't the ships out in ship bring more soldiers and repeat the cycle?' asked Kiyoshi. "You are right," remarked Shamak. "By chance, did you see some fishing boat coming in while you passed through the town?" asked Shamak. Confused by the Kiyoshi answered yes. "Those fishermen weren't just fishing but were laying explosive under the water of the boat." "So once their base is down, they won't have any ships to bring in more men," remarked Shamak. "But wouldn't they just bring in more men when they don't hear from them," remarked Kiyoshi, still confused by Shamak's words." I don't think so. The queen has never been one to force people to her side. She has always been diplomatic in her ways. I believe these men are acting on their own without instructions from the queen. So once they are gone we shouldn't have any problems." proclaimed Shamak. "Are you sure?" asked Kiyoshi. "I am sure," replied Shamak. "Ok then, I just need directions to their base so can what am up against," stated Kiyoshi. "Here is a map. It will lead you straight to their stronghold and blood samurai, thank you," remarked Shamak as he and everyone besides Abdulaziz and a few others bowed towards Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi returned the favor and went on his way.

As Kiyoshi left, the people rejoiced as they had found their savior, but with the rejoicing of everyone around him, a bitterness grew inside Abdulaziz. "I'll show them I show father and that cursed samurai I can protect our people". Abdulaziz thought to himself. Meanwhile, as marches through the forest to the stronghold, Tyrook makes fun of him for being uncomfortable receiving affection. "Awww for a moment there I thought you were going to blush Kiyoshi" giggled Tyrook. "He was just desperate that all, desperate times make people do things they won't normally do," replied Kiyoshi. "But he seemed sincere about it" stated Lilly, cutting into the conversation. "Yeah, he did and Kiyoshi seemed to enjoy it too," Tyrook added. Kiyoshi rolled his eyes as he continued on his journey. " Don't worry kiddo, after this mission, am sure you will get a mission where the people there will treat like a weapon," continued Tyrook, who enjoyed teasing Kiyoshi. Kiyoshi sighed at Tyrook's words and continued on. A few minutes later, Kiyoshi arrived at his destination. Kiyoshi, wanting a clear view of the stronghold, climbs on top of a tree to get a better view. On top of the tree, Kiyoshi could see the Stronghold, a massive multi-structured complex. It had five watch towers one at each corner and one in the middle. The one in middle was the biggest and tallest and had five guards stationed in it covering every direction. The remaining four were equal in height and size to each other and only had three guards on the post. They also established six other buildings in the stronghold, which appear to be the weapons area, the dining hall, the training hall, the living quarters, and one other that Kiyoshi can't establish use for. "Lilly, what do you think?" asked Kiyoshi. Suddenly, a figure was next to him. The figure appeared to be a wooden mannequin with long red and orange hair that ran down her back. Her eyes were a glowing purplish-blue that could captivate any person. Her body, even though wooden, was proportioned like the body model of a supermodel with not a flaw on her wooden body. The mannequin sat next to Kiyoshi observing the stronghold. Her naked body unaffected by the elements of nature. "So what do you think, Lilly?" asked Kiyoshi. The mannequin turns to Kiyoshi and responds, "There are at least four hundred men in there. If you make any mistakes, not all will they call for backup, but they will kill all the kidnapped women as well. "Agreed and I have a plan, ", replied Kiyoshi. "What is it?" asked Lilly." I will tell you when we get back. I just hope I brought it with me this time." replied Kiyoshi with a smile on his face.

The two jump off the tree and agree to discuss Kiyoshi's plan once they get back. Lilly vanishes as Kiyoshi marches back to meet Shamak and the others. Back at the underground base, Kiyoshi relates his plan to Shamak. Kiyoshi pulls out a piece of paper and hands it over to Shamak. "How long will it take you to make this?" asked Kiyoshi. " I'll need at least a day and half this quite a request you're asking for. Do you really think this will help get rid of those bastards?' asked Shamak. "I do I absolutely do" replied Kiyoshi. "Then consider it done. " Shamak proclaimed "Thank you" replied Kiyoshi. In the meantime, you could stay at our place and get some rest," remarked Shamak. "No, no, I couldn't I will just sleep in the forest," Kiyoshi announced. "Nonsense. My daughter Arshi, the one that brought you here, will escort you back to our home. And I won't take no for an answer either." Proclaimed Shamak. "Thank you for hospitality," remarked Kiyoshi as he followed Arshi out of the base and back to Shamak's home. A few minutes later, they arrived at Shamak's home. From the outside, it looked that a poor old shack with hasn't been maintained in years, but on the inside relieved a beautiful and massive home fit for a king. Arshi ushers Kiyoshi to sit as she changes her clothes and prepares food.

As Kiyoshi looks around, he can see that certain parts of the wall are pure iron and gold and that the flooring of the house is pure silver. As Kiyoshi marvels at the home, Ashri appears with two bowls of soup and hands over one to Kiyoshi. Without the robe, Kiyoshi could only think that Ashri is an absolute beauty. Her already amazing green eyes are even more beautiful than when her full face could be seen. Her long black hair shines as bright as the moon in the night sky. Her pinkish lips remind Kiyoshi of peaches and for a second he wondered how they taste would before bringing himself back to reality. As the two eat Kiyoshi couldn't help but ask why the house was the way it was.

Ashri gigged and replied that this house was in her family since the founding of this town and the marvels of the house were brought from blacksmiths of the family as they traveled the world to do their craft. My father left the outside in ruins to prevent dishonest travelers from stealing our families' treasures, as we don't steal from each other in this community. Kiyoshi, fascinated by Ashri's story, asked if she was a blacksmith too. She laughed and replied that she was one in training and only her father and brother were true blacksmiths. But one day she wishes to become a great blacksmith like them and even a weapon as legendary as Kiyoshi's sword one day. Kiyoshi, impressed by Ashri's passion, continues to talk to Ashri for hours before the two decide it's time to go to bed. Ashri directs Kiyoshi to his quarters and wishes him good night before heading into hers.

As Kiyoshi lays in bed, Tyrook and Lilly tease him about how he has found affection and even has fallen in love with Ashri. Kiyoshi tries to ignore them, but the pair of demons continue on. Tyrook remarked that Kiyoshi had never talked to anyone for more than five minutes unless it was about a mission, let alone four and a half hours. Lilly added that he didn't even talk to them or even Sairon for that long, either. The two giggled and laughed, repeating the phrase Kiyoshi's in love over and over like annoying school children. Until Kivuli told the pair to shout up as Kiyoshi needed to rest and that they were acting like seven-year-olds and not like seven thousand-year-old demons. Kiyoshi Thanked Kivuli as Tyrook and Lilly retreated into the depths of the sword in defeat as Kiyoshi fell asleep.