The light in Ryuken's eyes dimmed, the vibrant fire of determination and spirit that once burned brightly was now reduced to hollow embers. His body trembled as the words echoed in his mind… a truth too cruel to accept, too devastating to comprehend.
The overwhelming shock of learning that his mother and sister, the anchors of his heart, had been killed mere minutes ago, shattered his resolve and stripped him of reason.
For a moment, the world around him seemed to fade into an unfeeling void.
The old samurai lifted him and took the secret passage. In a few moments, they reached the mote at the other end of the hidden escape route, where a small boat was waiting for them.
Ryuken, Tadayori, and the servant quickly boarded the boat and the servant started rowing.
The young boy, however, was having trouble even breathing because of the immense shock he received.
