ACE OF FATE

"So you're the one sent by Minho, Birdman?" a man hidden in a black cloak said.

"Yes, sir. He has entrusted me with this message," the Birdman replied.

"It always freaks me out seeing a kid with a man's voice and beard," the cloaked man remarked.

"I apologize for that, but as you know, I am a small Birdman; that's why I appear as a kid, although I am 40 years old," the Birdman explained.

"Okay... you can leave now. I will ensure that Minho gets what he wants as per our deal regarding the Yotsuba clan information."

"Then I'll take my leave, sir."

The little Birdman transformed into a bird.

"Why did you turn into a bird? Can't you fly in your human form?" the cloaked man asked.

"Yes, I can, but I do this to avoid being caught by the samurai, sir," the bird responded.

With a swift motion, the bird ascended into the blue sky.

"Okay... let me see this message... yada... huh-uh... really?" The cloaked man reacted as he read the letter.

"Miku, huh? Minho is weird as always. Well, thanks to his weirdness, I didn't have to bother wiping his brain.

 Now... where the heck is that so-called vice captain? I hope everyone else arrives on time." 

Meanwhile, before Felix and Miku lay a breathtaking view of an expansive castle complex spanning approximately 600 acres or more.

Massive stone walls, towering 40 to 50 feet high, encircled the entire area, with meticulously fitted granite blocks showcasing master craftsmanship.

Dominating the skyline was the central keep—a colossal 12-story wooden structure. Its multiple tiled roofs, adorned with golden shachihoko ornaments, glinted brilliantly in the sunlight.

Surrounding the keep was a network of smaller towers and buildings sprawling across the landscape, interconnected by elevated wooden walkways and stone bridges that spanned deep moats.

The vast main courtyard, paved with smooth river stones, stretched before them, easily accommodating the assembled warriors.

"This way, esteemed leaders," Katsuhiro gestured, leading them down a wide stone-paved path flanked by perfectly manicured Yaku sugi trees. "The Emperor awaits you in the Inner Palace."

"Hold up a sec!" shouted the Kenshin clan leader.

"First, let me see what you're made of," he continued, locking eyes with Katsuhiro.

"I, Isamu Kenshin, challenge you to a fight!" he declared as he unsheathed his naginata from his back.

"My lord, please don't do this now," whispered a samurai girl with light goldish-brown hair.

"Forgive us, Master," another samurai with mushroom-black hair added urgently. "She speaks the truth; you'll have time for this later."

"Ugh... you all are such wet blankets. Whatever, I'm going to skedaddle for now," Isamu replied casually as he swung his naginata and secured it on his back again.

"Ahem... please follow me. You may bring only your highest-ranking samurai," Katsuhiro instructed.

"This is unusual; every clan brought hundreds of samurai, yet here I am, the sole representative of the Yotsuba clan," Felix remarked as they walked.

As they proceeded, Felix marveled at the intricate layout of the castle. "This place is enormous," he thought to himself. "Look at those defensive structures!"

"Wow," whispered the Sasaki clan leader walking behind them, her anxiety momentarily forgotten.

"I've never seen anything so magnificent."

When Felix glanced back at her, she noticed and quickly lowered her head in embarrassment.

"Lady Kiko, please compose yourself and try to relax," whispered a man near her wearing samurai armor and sporting long, bright orange hair tied in a ponytail.

Ahead of them, the Kaneko clan leader smirked. "Impressive but not unexpected for one of my status."

Katsuhiro led them up a series of wide stone steps flanked by fearsome stone guardian statues. At the top, they passed through an ornate gate adorned with intricate carvings of dragons and phoenixes.

"And now," Katsuhiro announced as they approached an even more elaborate gate with deep purple roof tiles, "we come to the Inner Palace."

As the gate opened to reveal lush private gardens and the Emperor's personal residences, Katsuhiro turned to address the group.

The majestic facade of the Emperor's private quarters served as an impressive backdrop.

"Beyond this point," he said solemnly, "only those specifically summoned may enter. The Emperor values his privacy as much as he values the strength of your clans."

"Hey, wasn't he the shogun?" Felix whispered to Miku, gently moving the hair near her ear.

[Smack]

Miku elbowed Felix in the stomach. "Keep your distance. I don't want to remind you what is what every two seconds," she whispered back.

As they entered the Emperor's audience hall, Katsuhiro guided the clan leaders to their designated positions. The room was vast, easily accommodating over 400 people, with ornate pillars supporting a high ceiling adorned with intricate paintings.

"Esteemed leaders, please take your seats," Katsuhiro instructed. "You will be seated according to your clan's rank and status."

The seven clan leaders arranged themselves in a semicircle facing the Emperor's throne, which was elevated on a raised platform at the northern end of the hall.

The Himura clan leader, being the highest-ranking, was seated closest to the center, directly facing the throne.

"This is quite the honor," the Himura leader smirked as he settled into his position.

To his left and right, the other clan leaders took their places, with the Sasaki clan leader at the far end, still visibly nervous.

Behind them, their personal samurai knelt in seiza position, hands resting on their thighs—alert but unobtrusive.

The hall quickly filled with other high-ranking officials, including ministers, advisors, and representatives from various government departments.

They took their places behind and to the sides of the clan leaders, creating a sea of colorful kimonos and formal attire.

Suddenly, a hush fell over the room as a court official announced, "All rise for His Imperial Majesty!"

The Emperor entered through a separate entrance behind the throne, his elaborate robes rustling as he moved. He ascended the platform and took his seat, facing south in accordance with tradition.

He wore an exquisite jūnihitoe—a multi-layered kimono of deep purple embroidered with golden chrysanthemums. Atop his head rested the distinctive black lacquered kanmuri hat, symbolizing his imperial status.

The Empress followed him, resplendent in her own multi-layered kimono of white and crimson. They moved gracefully to their seats: the Emperor on the throne and the Empress to his right.

The clan leaders bowed deeply, their foreheads touching the tatami mats. The Himura clan leader whispered to his samurai, "Remember, we must not look directly at the Emperor unless addressed."

After a moment, the Emperor's voice rang out: "You may rise."

As the clan leaders straightened up, servants entered carrying trays of small, ornate dishes.

The Emperor's chief advisor—an elderly man clad in formal court dress—stood beside the throne, poised to speak on behalf of the Emperor.

"Please feel free to eat the light meal that is before you," the advisor announced. "Partake as the Emperor does."

A table adorned with exquisite bite-sized delicacies awaited them: sashimi, grilled vegetables, and small portions of seasoned rice. Sake was served in delicate cups, enhancing the atmosphere of the gathering.

As the Emperor raised his sake cup, the clan leaders followed suit, offering a silent toast before official proceedings began. However, neither Miku, Felix, nor Kiko joined in this gesture.

"You don't drink?" Felix asked.

"No, I don't. I never have and never will," Miku responded.

"Is it a custom of the Yotsuba clan?" Felix questioned again.

"No, I just despise it. It's a cheap distraction—a temporary pleasure—and the smell is awful," she replied.

"Well, at least we have something in common," Felix thought with a smile. "But why am I so happy to think that Miku and I have something in common?"

At that moment, Kiko was staring at Felix; when he turned around to see her, she quickly turned away.

"Esteemed clan leaders," began the Emperor in a measured and dignified tone, "I welcome you to this gathering in our great castle. Today we stand united in our shared purpose: to ensure prosperity and stability for our realm."

He then addressed ongoing civil war issues with a somber tone. "The conflict that divides our kingdom grieves me deeply. We must find a path to reconciliation and stability."

"I acknowledge my role in this turmoil," he continued. "But I yearn for retirement and seek a successor. As you may know, my eldest son succumbed to an illness for which there was no cure."

"My wife and I are too old; as law dictates, we cannot adopt a child. That is why I chose to designate a clan leader as my successor—but this decision has only sparked further conflict within our country."

The Emperor pressed on about pressing issues: "We are on the brink of a war breaking out. The Draconis Empire suspects us of working with these Kaals people; they believe we are helping them achieve their goal of destroying the world."

"If we fail to clear our image," he added empathetically, "we risk our kingdom's destruction, as we are nowhere near their power."

"Let us not squander our strength on infighting."

As he spoke, Felix observed how each clan leader listened intently—nodding in agreement or furrowing their brows in contemplation. The Emperor's eloquence inspired flickers of hope amidst uncertainty.

As audience proceedings commenced, clan leaders remained acutely aware of their positions; tradition's weight hung heavily in the grand imperial hall air.

"Boo!"

[Slash-Thud]

A figure swung their hand imbued with purple light at the Shogun. The room fell into complete silence until the Shogun's head fell to the ground, blood pooling on the floor.

"Aiiieee!" The Empress screamed as she processed what had just transpired.

"What... when did he... and he's not alone?" Felix's mind was in turmoil as he spotted several cloaked figures lurking in corners of the room.

"Run!" one nobleman shouted as he started towards the exit; several others followed him.

The cloaked figures didn't stop them.

"Now, Nanami and Yuma, let's be off!" the cloaked man ordered.

Suddenly her samurais got up. "M'lady what are you doing?" Nanami's samurai with gray hair shouted at her.

[Thud] 

Nanami sent her samurai flying out of the building.

Yuma's samurai didn't even bother to ask as they respected their master's wishes above all else.

[Clap-Clap]

The cloaked figure standing near the emperor's body clapped his hands at her. "I suppose we should be off—"

[Whoosh-Clack]

Suddenly Isamu appeared before the cloaked man and tried to punch him but was caught mid-strike.

"Woohoo! I have been hankering for some action," Isamu stated loudly.

"Sorry sir but I will not audition you for my story; so you are rejected."

[Yank]

The cloaked man threw him onto the floor.

"Mr. Vice Captain could you do your thing!" shouted the cloaked man.

"Aghh... don't tell me he bailed on me again," the cloaked man sighed as he realized it.

"Can you take care of him 'I'?" He referred to Igor as 'I'.

"Yes captain," Igor nodded to his request and approached the smoke where Isamu had landed.

[Swish-Clash]

Isamu's and Igor's arms collided as he emerged from debris.

"Hey... do we do something?" Felix whispered to Miku.

[Thud]

"Hey Miku! Wake up!" Felix urged urgently as Miku fell unconscious to the ground.

Igor unsheathed his large curved blades adorned with intricate designs and runes etched along their surfaces from beneath his cloak.

[Shing]

Simultaneously, Isamu grabbed his naginata from his back. With a swift motion, he lunged forward, using his naginata to create distance between them. He executed a high overhead strike, aiming for Igor's head.

[Clang]

The strike landed with a loud clang as Igor sidestepped and deflected it with his blades, showcasing his strength and precision. The clash of weapons echoed through the hall.

"Ha!" Isamu exclaimed, determination ringing in his voice.

Utilizing his naginata's length to keep Igor at bay, Isamu spun the weapon in arcs, switching grips and attacking from unexpected angles. This allowed him to maintain an advantage while keeping Igor on the defensive.

Each time Isamu struck, he followed up with rapid footwork, darting in and out of range to avoid Igor's powerful counterattacks. The sound of their feet pounding against the ground filled the air.

[Thud-Thud]

Despite his size, Igor demonstrated remarkable agility. He executed wide sweeping motions with his blades, using large circular strikes aimed at catching Isamu off guard.

His fighting style combined brute strength with calculated movements; he would often feint a strike before delivering a heavy blow aimed at disarming Isamu.

When Isamu attempted to close in for a thrust, Igor would pivot on his heel and unleash a powerful horizontal slash that forced Isamu to retreat.

[Clang-Clang]

Their movements were so swift that it seemed they were dancing rather than battling—each anticipating the other's next move instinctively.

[Bam-Crash]

Igor kicked Isamu straight into the wall before quickly following after him.

"Should I fight or find a safe spot for Miku?" Felix couldn't decide.

Kiko's samurai approached her. "M'lady, we must leave this place as soon as possible."

"But... shouldn't—" Kiko began to protest.

"Please, m'lady, think this through; you are the last heir to the Sasaki clan," he pleaded.

Kiko lowered her eyes in sadness but stood up resolutely. Before departing, she took one last glance at Felix. The hooded figures made no move to stop them.

"I guess it's my turn to join in—"

[POP]

The old clan leader's bones cracked audibly as he got stuck in an awkward pose. "Looks like today's not my day either," he remarked wryly.

A samurai with messy, light blue hair stood up. "Please, sir, allow me to handle the fight."

"Fine, but be careful," the old man warned reluctantly.

[Shing]

The light blue-haired samurai unsheathed his very long katana from his back. "I will," he replied confidently, pointing his katana at Niko. "You shall pay for your crimes!"

Niko sighed with evident frustration. "Man, I just want to go home! But I can't because these people want to be heroes."

"L, could you take care of this one?" Niko referred to Lewi as 'L.'

[Woosh]

One small cloaked figure appeared above the light blue-haired samurai.

[Shink]

Tons of red knives appeared between Lewi's fingers as he quickly charged them with Negative Zor energy, ready to launch an attack mid-air.

[Swish]

Lewi threw the knives at the blue-haired man.

[Swoosh]

The blue-haired man swung his long katana imbued with Zor energy and with quick slashes cut the knives into pieces.

"Hic... I had to try that... hic..." Lewi muttered under his breath, a faint hiccup punctuating his words.

"I can hardly believe I actually pulled it off! It seems all those hours of preparation truly bore fruit," mused the blue samurai, a smile blossoming on his face.

"I trust you're not feeling too anxious, my little mischief-maker," said the blue-haired man to Lewi.