Hero of Darkness

A completely different scenario came into sight at an unknown place as a vast mountainous region was revealed.

The mountainside was a serene escape, draped in the warm hues of twilight as the sun set behind the peaks.

Flutter!

Red maple leaves fluttered gently from the branches, painting the air with their vibrant scarlet and gold. Each leaf danced on the crisp mountain breeze before settling softly on the ground, forming a delicate carpet along the stone pathways leading to a secluded abode nestled on the mountainside.

The abode itself, a modest structure of wood and stone, stood tranquil amidst the beauty of nature.

Lanterns adorned the exterior, their soft glow complementing the fading daylight. A wide veranda extended from the abode, offering a perfect vantage point for taking in the breathtaking view below.

Stretching out at the mountain's foot lay an expansive stretch of lush rice fields, their neatly planted rows reflecting the amber and lavender hues of the sunset.

The shimmering water in the paddies mirrored the sky, making the scene feel like a dreamscape. The gentle rustle of the rice stalks swaying in the breeze harmonized with the occasional chirp of distant crickets as farmers cut the crops with their sickles, creating a soothing symphony of nature.

As the last rays of the sun kissed the horizon, the scene was imbued with a sense of peace.

And outside the abode… a young boy dressed in blue and gray hakama, ran after a 4-year-old little girl who adorned pink and rosy-red wakufu (traditional clothes for young japanese girls).

"Okaa-san! Look at Nii-san, he's bullying me again." said the young girl with two hair buns over her head as she ran with her little legs, pacing away from a monstrous being in her eyes.

Her cute dumpling-like squishy cheeks made her look so adorable, while her little strides gave her an appearance similar to a duckling.

The so-called evil monster then caught up with her as a mischievous and playful grin appeared on his face. He grabbed her face and started squeezing her plump cheeks.

"Bwahh! Let m- me g-go!" said the young girl, fighting with her little fists.

Step!

Step!

Soon, with quick steps, a woman in a red and golden kimono appeared from behind and quickly pinched the boy by the ear.

"How many times do I have to tell you to not irritate your sister?" she said in an annoyed tone as she pulled the boy's ear.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry. It's just that Hina-chan's cheeks are so cute and fluffy." said the boy, still mischievous.

Hina-chan with her now rosy cheeks waddled with her little steps and hid behind their mother.

She then put her tongue out and taunted her brother while grabbing her mother's kimono.

"Ha ha ha!"

The maidservants following them from behind chuckled among themselves, finding this childish game between a brother and sister cute and refreshing.

Over 20 meters away, stood a man, watching this joyful moment while folding his hands behind his back, his countenance exuded a regal and dignified aura as the sunlight reflected from his golden robes.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

However, he too had a content smile as he basked in the fresh gust of wind.

This was the Shogun and the father of these young and vibrant children.

"What do you think, will they grow well in the future?" he asked a man who stood by his side.

On the side, stood a tall but old man with a strong stature, his gray hair and long white beard revealing the years he spent surviving.

"As a father of a rebellious son myself… I hope they grow differently, Shogun-sama." spoke an elderly man who was only a few years older than the shogun.

"How many times do I have to tell you that when it's just the two of us, call me by my name?" spoke the shogun, slightly annoyed.

"Ah, my apologies… Tanjiro-san." spoke the Samurai clad in black and sunset-gold armor.

"Tadayori-dono… I want to begin Ryuken's training next year. I want you to officially accept him as your disciple." spoke the shogun in a calm and thoughtful tone.

"But Tanjiro-san… he's barely 7 years old. Even I started my training when I was 9. His body hasn't grown to sustain through even basic training at this point." spoke the old and white-beared samurai.

"I know… but unlike us, he may not have the luxury of time." spoke the Shogun as if lamenting over a grave matter.

"The Daimyos are making their moves just right after the foreigners came.

How come these fools don't understand that outsiders like these always come to conquer under the guise of the trade?" he questioned, his face turning disgruntled.

"They're blinded by the gold these outsiders are offering.

The greed they've been hiding in their hearts has shown itself recently." spoke the samurai.

"If only… if only I hadn't failed to gain the last two divine spirits' acknowledgment.

Otherwise, they'd not be so brazen to accept such bribes. I can't even wage a war against any of them based on suspicion alone.

I lack both strength and justification." said the Shogun with a regretful tone.

"You're right. It wouldn't have happened come to this had you not failed.

But you're just not the kind of man by nature. Even some of your ancestors failed in those trials." spoke old man Tadayori.

"I know. But those divine spirits would only acknowledge someone far more vicious and ruthless. To them, it's a sign of power and authority… but I am of different nature.

So all hope lies with Ryuken." he said with a contemplating tone.

"As a father… I want him to grow up to be a kind and moral man. But my position as the Shogun forces me to raise him as a battle-hardened warrior, who must be feared by his subjects, whether the nobility or the commoners.

Only then, can he maintain a peaceful rule where the society thrives." he said.

Enjoy new chapters from empire

"Look at us…" said Tadayori.

"We used to abhor our fathers when our enemies attacked our borders while they chose not to go to war.

We yearned for vengeance and blood back then. And now that we've turned old… we're trying desperately to maintain this frail peace, all so that our country doesn't fall from within due to a civil war." spoke the samurai.

"Sadly… it is a burden that we must pass on to our children, in hopes that they can create a better future for our people and motherland." said the Shogun as a breeze fluttered his long golden robes.

Soon, he called upon Ryuken who was playing with his sister, Hinamori.

"Yes, Otou-san! I'm coming!" said Ryuken and energetically ran towards his father.

"Look at those rice fields, it's the harvesting time before the winter comes." said the Shogun as he pointed at the large expanse of rice fields where hundreds of farmers were cutting and harvesting the rice, mostly with paid laborers or their families, including young children around the same age as Ryuken.

"Let me ask you something, my son." spoke the Shogun in a contemplative tone.

"When you take my place in the future, what kind of ruler do you want to be?" he asked with a calm and stoic tone.

"Me?... I want to become a big and strong ruler. I will be a leader respected by everyone but also feared by our enemies!" replied the young and naive Ryuken zealously.

His father let out a benign smile and spoke in a quaint tone…

"I just want you to remember something when you become that big and strong ruler of this country…"

The shogun's face then turned towards the rice fields as he spoke in a dignified voice...

"Your duty as a ruler isn't just to rule with authority or fight your enemies from outside.

No nation can thrive when only the people of the upper class have their bellies full while thousands of commoners are starving." he spoke and gently placed his palm over Ryuken's head as the setting sun in the sky created dark silhouettes of the father and son.

"The hardworking and diligent… It's these kinds of people you're fighting for.

It's the people who have very little, but choose to live respectable lives… they're the ones you have to live for." said Sasakibe Tanjiro.

At an early age, Ryuken's sense of duty and responsibility as the future shogun was instilled in him by his father.

BLIP!!

However, the very next moment… the scenario quickly changed to a dark midnight. But compared to the peaceful embrace of nature from before…

The young Ryuken stood in a different setting.

With his eyes widened and body rooted on a spot, surrounded by corpses…

As he saw his entire world engulfed by raging flames.