How long does a dynasty last...does it goes on forever or it eventually stops?
The downfall of a kingdom lies mostly in the new king. Lots of examples are shown throughout countries. There will always be a war, soon the victorious ones will bring a new era which will be written down in history and later the heir of the throne will slowly let the kingdom rot into pieces. That's when a new war happens, the strong plunders on the weak. A new epoch.
"Master Ryou! " Daiki shouts.
Ryou gives him a glare.
" It's very important. " Daiki whispers.
" You are interrupting my conversation with this pretty lady," Ryou speaks with the side of his mouth hoping Daiki would leave him alone.
" I insist sir."
Ryou gives the woman an awkward smirk. " Just give me a sec...I'll be right back."
Daiki reaches down to his right pocket and pulls a pale cloth with stains of blood around it.
" What's so important?" Ryou gazes at him looking annoyed.
" This is your brother's." Daiki passes the cloth to Ryou.
He grabs the bottom corner of the cloth and pulls it open. On the right side, two words were sewn vertically, " ハツ".
"Hatsu! " Ryou rubs on the smudge. " The blood is fresh...whose blood is this?"
Daiki lowered his head.
" No this is impossible. He said he was done with...no more fights." Ryou clenches on the cloth.
" Nagano." Daiki whispers.
" Nagano? What does this have to do with Nagano?"
" Those were his last words. He repeated Nagano twice."
" Goddamn it, we just talked this morning when - " a loud humming voice projects from the palace. When the horn sounds, this means the emperor is summoning everyone to the palace.
Ryou quickly put the cloth into his kimono and mount onto his horse. As they get closer and closer to the palace, generals met generals on their way there but Ryou ignores their greetings and kept on riding while the horse canters towards the first gate.
" Well...well well...if it isn't the youngest of us, Yoshikuni."
Ryou dismounts his horse and disregards him without giving him any eye contact. Ryou walks past him, but he clasp on his left shoulder and pulls Ryou until he faces him.
"Oh, the name isn't good enough for you,brother...or should I call you Ryou? Is that better huh?"
"Get your hands away from me Nagano." Ryou says it calmly.
"I know Hatsu was the only big brother you'll ever concede, but I guess it is never too late for me to give it a try."
Ryou pushes his hand away and kept on moving.
" I'm still your big brother you know."