The Battle of Kyorokana

Riddhiman Rana

Riddhiman Rana

Age 13-17 category | Fall into Fiction Short Story Contest 2023 | San José Public Library

"We want the Kyorokana," Demon Akuma said, his voice cold and menacing, sending shivers down my spine. "It is rightfully ours, and we will do whatever it takes to get it." Then, I looked beyond and saw the dozens of the most elite samurai of the Kuroi Clan, stacked up behind him. I knew I was outnumbered, but I refused to give up the Kyorokana without a fight. "Then you'll have to take it," I said, drawing my sword.

I am Master Kin Tsoi, a samurai with a reputation for being a master of my craft, and have trained relentlessly to become the skilled warrior I am today. From a young age, I have made complete dedication to the art of the sword and have journeyed to distant lands, learning from the most exotic martial arts masters. Most refer to me as someone who is feared by those who stood against him and respected by those who fought alongside him. Yet, despite my impressive accomplishments, I know there is more to learn and have made it my life's journey to be the greatest samurai to mankind.

It was during my travels that I first heard of the kyorokana, a legendary diamond that was said to possess immense power. The story went that whoever possessed the kyorokana would gain unparalleled strength and control over the world.

"Guarded by a dragon, buried deep in the earth, The kyorokana lies waiting for it's worth. Power beyond measure, control beyond compare, But beware, for those who seek it will pay a heavy fare."

I knew that I had to stay out of their conflick, but fate had other plans. One day, while wandering through the mountains of the Himalayas, I stumbled upon an ancient temple. "Huh, that wasn't there before,"  I thought to myself. As I creaked open the ancient stone door, I saw nothing but oddly, an old book, in the center on an old, wooden table, mold growing on the legs of it. As I stood there, a gust of wind blew past me, and I heard a dragon voice behind me, deep and powerful, but with a slight hint of sadness. "Hello, Kin," he said to me. I swirled around, steadying my sword as I circled my position. "Who's there!" I yelled, adrenaline rushing through my blood. Was this an ambush by the Kuki empire? As I held my ground, I turned around to see a dragon. It was unlike anything I had ever seen before, with scales in a gold-plated color, gleaming in the sunlight and deep, piercing emerald green eyes, glowing at my sight.

"I am Kazaru, the guardian dragon of kyorokana, Kin. I am the seer of all, the master of masters, and the greatest of all. I have guided fate, for you to be here. I've seen you as you trained, I have seen you as you fought, I've seen you on your good days and your bad days, and I know you're the one. Kin, I'm dying. I've seen generations of samurais, rise and fall and it is now time for my own death. I need someone to guard the kyorokana, and I choose you" dragon said with great sorrow and otherworldliness. 

As I looked down, realizing my hand had gotten heavier, I saw the Kyorokana in my hand, its beautiful light and halo sparkling and shimmering in the sunset. It was the most beautiful thing in the world, yet it held the power to destroy the world if it fell into the wrong hands. As I stood there, a gust of wind blew past me, and I heard a voice behind me.

"You are the chosen one, Kin," the dragon said. "You are the one who'll take the Kyorokana and keep it safe. The fate of humanity rests in your hands."

I turned to face the dragon, feeling overwhelmed by the task at hand. "But why me, Great Kazaru?" I asked in utter shock. "Because you are different from the others, unique in qualities. You don't seek and try to have more power or control, but you are driven by your true values, your morality, and your righteousness. I know you are the one who can keep the legacy of the Kyorokana alive, and make sure that it does not fall into the wrong hands."

As the dragon spoke, I felt a new sense of purpose and determination come over me, as I realized that my conquest to become the greatest samurai of all time had come true. I knew what I had to do. "I accept your offer,  Great Kazaru, '' I said, holding the kyorokana up high in the sky. The dragon nodded, and I saw his eyes glimmer, as if in relief. "Thank you, Kin," he said with a deep voice. "You have restored my faith in humanity. You are worthy of the title of guardian of kyorokana." And with that, the dragon let out a loud roar as the ground shook beneath my feet. I watched as he flew up into the sky, till his body disappeared into the clouds. I stood there, stuck for a moment feeling a sense of awe, wonder, and sadness wash over me. I knew that my life would never be the same again, but I was ready for whatever came ahead.

As I turned to leave, I heard the heavy footsteps of another clan, the Kuroi, one of the most ruthless of all time. I froze, my hand instinctively reaching for my sword as I turned to face the leader which was none other than the master of all clans, the evilest of all, and the most skilled warrior in all of Japan, Demon Akuma. "What do you want?" I asked, keeping a firm grip on the Kyorokana. "I see you have found the Kyorokana, Kin-san" Demon Akuma said, drawing his own sword. His ruthless voice sent shivers down my spine and a demonic aura surrounded him. And then, I looked beyond him, to see an army of the largest, most elite, and fiercest warriors of Japan, all subduing to Demon Akuma. "It is rightfully ours, and we will do whatever it takes to get it." I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I looked at the group of samurai before me. I knew that I was outnumbered, but I refused to give up the Kyorokana without a fight.

"Then you'll have to take it," I said, drawing my sword. The Kuroi clan charged at me, and I met them head on. I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins as I fought with all my might, my sword clashing against theirs as my body moved precisely with every move, trying to evade and conquer, yet I couldn't keep up, and had to run.

Just as I saw a hideout in the mountain, I heard the voice of Great Kazaru in my head, "Stop, Kin-san. You must not hide, and I know you are outnumbered. I may be dead, but my soul lives on, and I want you to become my dragon. You can't run, and your kyorokana is your life, if it's destroyed, your soul shall die. Do you accept Kin-san?" he said, with great power in his voice. I thought of all the future dragons, and then the future of humanity, and so, I replied, "I accept, Great Kazaru." with great passion and empathy.

Suddenly, there was a flash of blinding light and I became a dragon, the ultimate goal of a true samurai. Within seconds, I decimated the hundreds of Demon Akuma's army using my fire breathing powers, yet as I saw every samurai fall to their feet, ending their life, one man remained undestroyed, and it was Demon Akuma himself. It was the final battle.

"I don't think you know everything about me Kin-san, I am also half dragon, yet more powerful and royal than you'll ever be. Kamehameha!" he yelled as lightning pulsed out of his hand, clashing with immense power and energy against my fire. The clash of the powers echoed through the mountains as we fought, each blow of energy sending shockwaves through my body. Sweat dripped down my face as we circled each other in combat, looking for an opening to catch the other off guard, and finish them off.

And then it happened. In a split second, I felt a sudden surge of energy, pushing him further back until he eventually crumbled to the floor, powerless, and vulnerable. With deep sorrow, and a feeling of helplessness, Demon Akuma looked at me, his eyes wide with fear. "Please," he said, falling to his knees. "Spare me." I looked at him for a moment, feeling a sense of pity wash over me. But then I remembered the power of the Kyorokana, and I knew that I could not let it fall into the wrong hands. "I'm sorry," I said, raising my talons. And with one swift stroke, I ended his life.
 
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