Kaede wasn't always a wanderer. Once, she had been Kaede Hoshikawa, princess of the illustrious Hoshikawa Empire, a land of prosperity and strict traditions. Her father, Emperor Masaru, was a revered figure, a man who led with an iron will and demanded absolute obedience. To the outside world, the empire was a shining beacon of order and strength. But within the palace walls, Kaede saw another truth: her father's rule was one of control and fear.
As a child, Kaede had idolized her father. She remembered the days when he would kneel and listen to her stories of imagined adventures. But as she grew older, the warmth in his eyes turned cold. When Kaede was sixteen, she overheard a conversation that shattered her faith in him. Masaru had ordered the assassination of a dissenter, not a rival warlord or a criminal, but a scholar who had dared to question the empire's oppressive laws.
That night, Kaede confronted her father. "Why?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "He was just a man with ideas. He didn't deserve to die."
Her father's response was chilling. "The empire thrives on unity, Kaede. Dissent is a poison, and I will not allow it to spread."
From that moment, Kaede knew she couldn't stay. The empire's glittering facade was built on suffering, and she refused to be part of it. So she fled, taking with her a single treasure: an enchanted amulet that had belonged to her late mother. It was said to protect the wearer from harm, though Kaede had yet to fully understand its power.
Her journey led her through forests and mountains, far from the empire's reach. But she knew the Hoshikawa Empire would not let her go easily. She was a symbol of their power, and her disappearance was an embarrassment her father would not tolerate.
The Present
Kaede had kept her secrets well, but the empire's reach was long. As she sat in Ayame's church, sipping a bowl of warm broth, her thoughts were far away. She glanced at Kaito, who was busy sharpening Kagekiri, and Ayame, who hummed softly as she prepared herbs. For the first time in months, Kaede felt something close to safety.
But safety was fleeting.
Unbeknownst to them, a small contingent of imperial soldiers had arrived at the outskirts of the village. They carried with them Kaede's likeness, sketched hastily but unmistakable, and they asked the villagers pointed questions.
Inside the church, the three were oblivious to the impending danger.
"Kaito, your form still needs work," Ayame said, watching him practice his stances with Kagekiri. "You're too tense. Let the blade move with you, not against you."
"I'm trying," Kaito muttered, sweat beading on his brow. "But this sword has a mind of its own."
Kaede smirked. "Maybe it just doesn't like you."
He shot her a playful glare. "And you're an expert now?"
"Hardly," she said, leaning back in her chair. "But I know a thing or two about handling stubborn weapons."
The sound of heavy boots outside the church shattered the moment. Ayame's eyes narrowed as she peered out the window. "Soldiers," she whispered. "Imperial soldiers."
Kaede froze, her breath catching in her throat. "They're here," she said, her voice barely audible.
Ayame turned to her, her expression a mix of confusion and alarm. "Why would the empire send soldiers to this village?"
"It's me," Kaede admitted, standing abruptly. "They're looking for me."
Kaito's eyes widened. "What? Why?"
"There's no time for explanations," Ayame said sharply, grabbing her staff. "We need to hide her."
Kaede shook her head. "No. If they find me here, they'll burn the village to the ground. I can't let that happen."
Kaito stepped forward, his grip on Kagekiri tightening. "Then we'll fight."
"You can't take on the empire," Kaede snapped. "Not even with that sword."
"Enough," Ayame interrupted. "Kaede, you can't face them alone. And Kaito, you're not ready for a battle like this." She paused, her mind racing. "We'll stall them. Hide Kaede in the cellar. If they don't find her, they might leave peacefully."
Reluctantly, Kaede allowed herself to be led to the church's cellar. As Ayame shut the door, she whispered, "Stay quiet. No matter what happens."
Outside, the soldiers were growing impatient.
"Priestess," the captain barked, holding up the sketch. "We're searching for this woman. She's a fugitive of the empire. Have you seen her?"
Ayame stepped forward, her voice calm but firm. "This is a peaceful village. No fugitives have passed through here."
The captain's eyes narrowed. "If you're lying, it won't end well for your people."
Inside the church, Kaede clutched her amulet, her heart pounding. Kaito sat near the cellar door, Kagekiri glowing faintly in his hand.
"She's not safe here," the katana murmured.
"None of us are," Kaito muttered back.
The tension hung thick in the air as the soldiers began their search, and the fragile peace, is threatened to shatter.