Elana Pruitt
Hello guys thanks so much for reading I hoped you enjoyed the stories/poems I have published!
Elana Pruitt
Hello guys thanks so much for reading I hoped you enjoyed the stories/poems I have published!
Hello guys thanks so much for reading I hoped you enjoyed the stories/poems I have published!
Hello guys thanks so much for reading I hoped you enjoyed the stories/poems I have published!
Part 2
As Amaya settled into her quarters, Master Takeshi walked alone through the moonlit gardens. His thoughts drifted to his own past, to the tragic events that had driven him to seek redemption.
Twenty years ago, his family was brutally slaughtered by a rival clan. Master Takeshi, then a young samurai, was unable to protect them. The guilt and shame had haunted him ever since.
He paused beside a serene pond, its surface reflecting the starry sky. "I failed them," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
A gentle breeze rustled the nearby reeds, carrying the whispered words of his sensei: "Redemption lies not in the past, but in the future."
Master Takeshi's eyes narrowed. "Amaya, the chosen one, is my chance to make amends."
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The next morning they arrived at a secluded clearing, surrounded by cherry blossom trees. The air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
"Today, we begin your training," Master Takeshi announced, handing Amaya a katana. "Kenjutsu, the art of sword fighting, will be your foundation."
Amaya grasped the hilt, feeling the weight and balance of the sword.
"Observe," Master Takeshi said, demonstrating a series of precise strikes.
Amaya mimicked his movements, her initial clumsiness gradually giving way to fluid motion.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow across the clearing, Master Takeshi offered words of encouragement.
"Your progress is remarkable, Amaya. But our journey has just begun."
With the day's training concluded, Master Takeshi led Amaya to a tranquil pond.
"The rogue samurai, Lord Shinoda, seeks to exploit the prophecy for his own gain," Master Takeshi warned, his expression grave. "His darkness spreads, threatening our land."
Amaya's determination grew. "I will not let him succeed."
Master Takeshi's eyes narrowed. "Your training must accelerate. We will face Lord Shinoda soon."
As night descended, Amaya retired to her quarters, her mind reeling with the weight of her destiny.
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The next morning, Master Takeshi pushed Amaya to her limits. "Today, we will test your agility and strategy."
In the training grounds, Amaya faced a series of obstacles: swinging pendulums, treacherous terrain, and surprise attacks from Master Takeshi himself.
"Anticipate, adapt, and respond," Master Takeshi instructed, as Amaya navigated the challenging course.
With each trial, Amaya's reflexes quickened, her mind sharpening. She began to sense Master Takeshi's movements before they happened.
As the sun reached its zenith, Master Takeshi presented Amaya with a final challenge: a duel against a mysterious, masked opponent.
"Your opponent is skilled," Master Takeshi warned. "Trust your instincts, Amaya."
Amaya drew her katana, her heart pounding. The masked opponent emerged from the shadows.
The duel began.
In twilight's hush, where shadows softly fall, Amidst the whispers of a moonlit hall, I find myself before thy presence drawn, My heart, a vessel overflowing with scorn.
The pride that once did fortress my soul, Now crumbles, laid low by love's sweet role, For in thine eyes, my deepest fears did see, A reflection of my own unworthiness to be.
Yet still, I venture forth, with a humble heart, To lay before thee, my most secret part, The tender emotions I had sought to hide, And with each word, my pride does slowly divide.
Oh, dearest one, forgive my past disdain, For now, I see, in thee, my love's sweet gain.
(A poem I dedicate to my love for Darcy’s confession in Jane Austin’s pride and prejudice)
Thousands of years, gone in an instant, Years of peace, joy, that now felt distant,
Memories of the glowing night, Now dark and miserable, missing the light.
As war raged on in the stardust sky More and more stars died that night.
What was once so loved and respected, Was now unloved and sadly rejected,
The sky full of stars seemed dead and cold; A place once so magical now hurt to behold.
~yeah ik it’s long, sorry about that… but for a moment there I got lost in this story, it was amazing… I hope you get lost too! (In a good way)
I fought and fought to get my stuff back , but he was so much stronger than me I ended up laying on the deck with a stupid canon in my lap. We had already docked when this idiot decided to rob me. My brother and the crew had went out to get supplies. He said he’d only be gone a little while and for me to stay with the boat. After they had left I went below for a while but then heard footsteps. So I went outside and found we were being robbed and he had cut all of the lines except for one. I tackled him from behind trying to knock him out with a hammer, He had enough and threw me to the floor making me bang against the canon as it fell on top of my legs. I couldn’t make the thing budge, I noticed a gun laying next to a canon and tried to aim for him as he was leaving the dock, but then someone else road up behind him. The thief shouted to the tall masked man and threw him my bag of belongings. The masked man caught it and started scanning the boat, he noticed me and pulled out his gun, I aimed to shoot the gun out of his hand, but instead he shot mine. As I lay there wounded, I carefully watched this strange man on his horse walk up to the thief and cuff him. With all that weight on top of me, I could barely breath, I couldn’t help but feel like my life was about to end right then. I noticed there was a pattern on the masked man’s jacket, it was the same as the one my brother kept in his pack of belongings. But the masked man didn’t shoot, instead he lowered his gun. Then the last rope snapped from being the only one that held the boat to the dock. As I the boat drifted away from the dock , I laid my head down, relived. I felt as if I passed out. The next thing I knew the boat felt like it was being pulled to the deck. I heard men shouting, i opened my eyes and lifted my head to see the same man and more men pulling the boat to the deck. I tried to reach for my gun but I still couldn’t get the stupid canon off of me, I felt helpless. As the boat approached the deck, the men immediately raced onto the boat to dock it except the masked man. He set the cuffed thief on a horse and handed the reins to an another man. He wasn’t holding his gun anymore. I struggled and struggled, nothing could move this thing. As I glanced back to see if the masked man was still there to my surprise he was already on the boat making his way towards me. I looked for my gun but I couldn’t see it anywhere. The masked man then came up to me, took off his mask and pulled the canon off of me. I looked up at him and noticed he had dark hair and had the darkest green eyes I have ever seen. After he set the canon aside he offered me his hand, I looked down and knew I was in no place to reject, so I tried once again to move my legs, they only moved a little so I took his hand in mine and tried to stand. He helped me up, and together we maid it onto the deck. He walked me over to a bench and when I sat down he walked over to his horse, grabbed my bag and came and handed it to me. He apologized for everything, then asked for my name and why I came here. I told him Eliza Wallen and he looked surprised he asked if i happened to have a brother named Nicholas Wallen, I nodded, he smiled and said that he has been expecting us for some time now. I was shocked that someone like him was expecting to see me and my brother. “Who are you?” -those were the three hardest words to hear in my life, I said as I stared into his deep green eyes. He smiled at me then said that he was known as "Barry”. I’ve never heard of a “Barry” in all my life. It was kind of funny. He then asked where my brother was, I told him he ran off to get supplies with the crew. He shook his head slowly. And said that, ‘that was man talk for hittin the pub’. Ha also said that he couldn’t believe that my brother would take all of the crew and not leave someone here with me. I laughed and told him that I said I’d be fine on my own, but I was wrong. He laughed too,then said they probably wouldn’t be back until morning. Then he said his farewells, until morning. And sure enough, when morning came, my brother came, drunk as could be.
Emily's small hands grasped the windowsill as her father lifted her out. Flames licked the curtains behind her.
She looked back, her eyes wide with fear, and reached for something lost. Her beloved doll, Lily, lay abandoned on the floor.
Her father rushed her through the smoke-filled hallway, Emily twisting in his arms. She strained to return to Lily.
The front door swung open, and they spilled onto the lawn. Emily's parents rushed her away from the burning house.
She looked back, her eyes welling up. Lily was gone, consumed by the inferno.
Emily's tiny body shook with sobs. Her parents held her tight, their faces etched with worry.
The fire raged on, devouring their home. Emily's heart ached for Lily, left behind in the ashes.
“How much longer until we get there, Master Takeshi?” Amaya sighed.
**“Maybe two weeks, if you keep talking”, he chuckled. **
Amaya frowned. “And what if I don’t talk?.”
**Master Takeshi paused for a moment, his eyes scanning their surroundings.”hush my child, we are drawing near to the **lands of the Kage no Mura," Master Takeshi finished, his voice low and mysterious.
Amaya's frown deepened. "The Shadow Village? I've never heard of it."
Master Takeshi's gaze returned to the path ahead. "Few have. It's a place where the veil between light and darkness is thin. Where one's true nature is revealed."
Amaya's curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Master Takeshi's expression turned serious. "The Shadow Village holds many secrets, Amaya. Secrets that will help you unlock your potential as the—"
He caught himself, glancing around cautiously.
"As the samurai you're destined to become," he finished.
Amaya sensed there was more to Master Takeshi's words, but she pressed on. "And what secrets do I need to unlock?"
Master Takeshi's eyes locked onto hers. "The secrets of your own heart, Amaya. Your deepest fears, desires, and strengths. Only then can you truly wield the power of the Shinsei no Samurai."
The trees seemed to close in around them, casting long, ominous shadows.
As they walked, Amaya's mind wandered to her friends back home. On their 16th name-day, each girl embarked on a journey with her teacher, learning the intricacies of womanhood. Lady Sakura's teachings focused on elegance, poise, and diplomacy. Lady Emiko's emphasized grace, compassion, and household management.
But Amaya's path diverged. Master Takeshi's training honed her martial skills, strategic thinking, and resilience. The prophecy's weight settled heavy on her shoulders.
"Why must I be different, Master?" Amaya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Master Takeshi's eyes softened. "You weren't chosen for this path, Amaya. You were born for it."
Amaya's thoughts swirled. Born for it? What did that mean? She recalled stories of her childhood: climbing trees, playing with wooden swords, and dreaming of adventure. Her parents, though puzzled, had always encouraged her passions.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Master Takeshi led Amaya to a secluded clearing. A small pond reflected the starry sky.
"Tonight, meditate on your heart's desires," Master Takeshi instructed. "Listen to your inner voice. What does it whisper?"
Amaya sat beside the pond, closing her eyes. The water's gentle lapping and crickets' soothing melody calmed her mind.
In the silence, Amaya's thoughts emerged:
I want to protect our people. I want to wield a sword with honor. I want to fulfill the prophecy.
But at what cost?
Amaya's eyes fluttered open, the starry sky above. Master Takeshi sat beside her, his eyes closed.
"Master, I remembered something," Amaya said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Master Takeshi's eyes opened. "What is it, child?"
Amaya's thoughts tumbled out. "I was a child, playing in the gardens. A wise old woman approached me. She spoke of... of destiny and sacrifice."
Master Takeshi's expression turned solemn. "The Oracle's words. I had wondered if you'd recall."
As the night deepened, Master Takeshi led Amaya to a secluded campsite. A crackling fire cast flickering shadows.
"Tonight, we share stories," Master Takeshi said, his eyes aglow. "Stories of our past, of those who shaped us."
Amaya settled beside the fire, her gaze locked on Master Takeshi.
"I was once a samurai of the Imperial Guard," Master Takeshi began. "Sworn to protect the Emperor, I witnessed darkness within the palace walls."
The flames danced, casting eerie silhouettes.
"A prophecy emerged, foretelling a great imbalance. The Shinsei no Samurai would bring equilibrium. I sought out the Oracle, seeking guidance."
Master Takeshi's voice dropped to a whisper.
"The Oracle revealed the samurai's identity: a young girl, born with the mark of the crescent moon. I vowed to find and train her."
Amaya's heart pounded. "You've known me since birth?"
Master Takeshi's eyes locked onto hers. "I've watched over you, guided your path. The time of revelation draws near."
(Hi everyone! Thanks so much for reading! I just started on this app, no more to say except that I am working on PART 2!) ~Elana Pruitt