The wind howls through the broken warehouse as Ajax and Ryizen vanish into the shadows of the night footfalls fading, blood drying, swords silent for now.
Behind them Mira remains motionless.
One hand clenched.
The other gripping what's left of her shattered blade.
"This isn't over, brother"
"Hey little guy, you still out there!" Ajax calls out walking down the path.
Ryizen glances over, bloodied lip twitching into a smirk.
"You calling me little now? After all that?"
"No, your little brother was the one who dragged me here, wondering if he's still here. Or maybe I scared him off with all the ruckus I made." Ajax says continuing to walk.
Ryizen snorts, leaning against a crumbling wall.
"Him, scared? Hah. He's just a stubborn fool."
"Well don't you want to say goodbye to your little brother?" Ajax says looking over.
Ryizen goes quiet, shoulders tensing. He scowls.
"I've said enough goodbyes."
"Suit yourself." Ajax says sighing*
The night wind howls between the broken warehouses, carrying with it the scent of salt and blood.
Somewhere in the shadows a small figure watches.
Clutching a wooden sword carved in secret.
"Brother"
He doesn't step forward. He doesn't speak again.
But as Ajax and Ryizen vanish into the dark.
That boy turns, not toward home but toward the horizon.
And whispers:
"I'll find you too one day."
"So Ajax, any other member of this Kabukimono of yours?" Ryizen says grinning.
Ajax smirks, sheathing his sword with a quiet clink.
"Right now? Just you, loudmouth."
Ryizen barks a laugh, wincing at his own wounds.
"Guess I'm the first recruit then. Don't expect me to bake cookies for the team."
"Never did besides you don't seem like the cooking type." Ajax says, choking down a laugh.
Ryizen snorts.
"Damn right. I'm the sword-swinging, ass-kicking type."
"Which is why when you needed help I came. I could use a kick ass fighter like you. Even if you didn't really show me it back there." Ajax says, still trying not to laugh.
Ryizen gives a short grunt.
"Tch. Shut it, smartass. I could've taken her without you."
"She wasn't all that strong." Ajax says, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.
Ryizen stops walking. Turns slowly. Deadpan.
"You really saw her face, right?" "That was Mira the Iron Fang-hunted down an entire rebel clan in one night. She once cut a man in half mid-leap."
He steps closer..
"And you're standing here saying she wasn't that strong? Damn you're either brave or stupid." Ryizen claps Ajax on the shoulder hard. "I like it."
"You sure do know a lot about these people first the black viper guy and this iron fang." Ajax says still not having a clue who these people are
Ryizen grumbles-but he's smirking.
"Part of being a Ronin. You keep tabs on the big players."
He gestures to the sky at the glowing full moon above.
"Hell even the stars have stories."
"Guess so." Ajax says.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Don't get all philosophical on me, loudmouth."
"I'm not. Besides, it's gonna be a long walk until the next town so get ready." Ajax sighs*
"Wait, we have to WALK?!" Ryizen says extremely surprised.
"What you thought we were gonna have like a wagon or something?" Ajax says laughing.
Ryizen rolls his eyes.
"Well I'm sorry I expected a little more comfort on my first day."
"Well I'm too poor to get one but eventually when I get the rest of my Kabukimono we'll be riding in style." Ajax says fantasizing for the moment.
Ryizen smirks, walking beside Ajax as the city's glow fades behind.
"Riding in style? With what stolen horses and broken dreams?"
He chuckles, then glances at Ajax.
"...Actually yeah. Sounds like us."
"You already know it!" Ajax cheers on.
Ryizen laughs, a real one, despite the bruises and cuts on his face.
"You're a crazy bastard, you know that?"
"Maybe I am." Ajax smirks.
Ryizen grins, shaking his head.
"Definitely but you're my kind of crazy."
"Well, less talking and more walking, silly swordsman." Ajax sasses.
Ryizen snorts.
"You better not start calling me silly on a daily basis now."
"Depends if you show me you're more than just silly. Like your little brother told me." Ajax says.
Ryizen scowls, but there's a hint of a smirk in his eyes.
"Little bastard I'm much more than silly. Just wait. I'll show you."
"Yeah he said you were the best swordsman he knew in this town." Ajax quotes.
Ryizen gives a small scoff, glancing aside.
"Damn right I am."
"Like I'd believe that." Ajax teases.
Ryizen's eyes flash, glaring up at Ajax.
"Oh? You doubt me?"
"Man it's so easy to rile you up" Ajax says laughing.
Ryizen grumbles, kicking a pebble into the dark.
"Shut up, loudmouth."
"Yeah this is gonna be fun." Ajax continues laughing looking into the distance
Ryizen rolls his eyes, but can't hide a smirk.
"You have a twisted definition of fun."
"Guess you could say that." Ajax says smiling.
Ryizen sighs dramatically.
"Guess I could."
End of Chapter