In a New World

I open my eyes to see the sun radiating on me. I look around. We were now in an entirely new place. The trees around us had purple petals slowly falling to the ground.

“Impressive isn’t it?” says Emma. “Follow me.”

I follow Emma with the people dressed in all black all around us.

We walked into a huge building. Inside are large red and golden pillars.

I stare in awe.

Drums start to play.

The curtains in front of us open up.

Everyone bows including Emma.

I stare as a lady in a long silky gowns appears.

Emma grabs me and brings me to a bow.

The lady stares at me, “Who is this Emma?”

“He’s here to help us, my lady,” says Emma, still bowing.

“I send you to find food. You bring a man.”

Merry makes a sound.

Merry sticks her head out of the pack giggling.

“And a child.”

“Let me explain my lady,” Emma says. “I believe that he will be a valuable asset in helping us fight off the rival clan.”

I whisper to Emma, “Rival clan? I didn’t sign up to help fight someone else’s war.”

“You said that you would help.”

“I didn’t expect this!”

Out of nowhere, the doors behind us slam open. A soldier runs in and bows, “My lady, the rival clan is attacking us!”

“Send soldiers out now!”

“As you wish.”

The soldier leaves.

“I’m not going to help,” I whispered.

Just as I said people in black clothing come from above knocking out the guards around us leaving only the lady, Emma, and I.

One jumps from above and tries to slash with his sword.

I put up a barrier and watch as the sword bounces off.

The intruder looks at his sword and then back to me. Emma slashes him with a knife. Another drops a smoke grenade.

The entire room is covered in smoke.

I breathe it in. An intruder appears in front of me.

I put up a barrier.

Nothing happens.

“Huh?” I quickly said, confused. I jump back as he slashes. I take Merry out of the pack and throw it at the intruder. The intruder slashes straight through it.

Emma appears from the smoke stabbing him from the back.

I stick out my hand trying to make a barrier.

“They’re stuff in the smoke that prohibits you from using it for a limited time,” Emma says as she disappears into the smoke.

Another intruder jumps from the smoke.

I spot the sword of the fallen intruder. I quickly grab it and stab the other intruder in the chest. I pulled it out. I inspect the sword. A long thin blade but curved.

The smoke dissipates revealing Emma covered in blood and bodies all around us on the ground.

Scary

I look down the room to see only one intruder left standing.

He points his sword at me, “I challenge you!”

I look at Emma and the lady.

The lady nods, “I agree to the challenge. The foreigner vs the rival samurai.”

“Samurai?” I said. I look at Emma for support. I shake my head not wanting to do this. She smiles.

“Here let me hold her,” she says, taking Emma from me. “Don’t worry, you’ll have her back. If you live, that is.”

I face the samurai. He had his blade ready pointing at me.

I hold my blade nervously, feeling my hands sweaty.

There is only silence.

Just as I blink, he immediately rushes at me. I dodge to the left and run.

“What are you doing?’ says Emma. “Face him!”

I trip and fall to the ground.

The samurai swings down at my legs. I open them just as he swings down, into the wooden floor.

I get up and ready my sword.

The samurai pulls his sword out of the wood. He strikes straight for my stomach.

I close my eyes.

There’s a clash.

I open my eyes to see that my body has moved on its own and blocked the blade.

“What the?” I said. I suddenly feel my body’s danger senses.

My magic’s danger system kicked in to block the blade! The magic inside me is still working!

The samurai steps back and swings.

My body quickly blocks the swing.

He swings again. I block it.

He steps back and aims for my head. I duck down and slash upward, cutting his hands off.

I step back breathing heavily.

“The winner,” says the lady. “Is the foreigner. Now kill him.”

Kill him? He’s defeated though…

I shake my head.

“Why are you shaking your head? It’s the honorable thing to do.”

I stare into the samurai’s eyes. He was waiting for me to kill him.

I can feel my hands trembling.

I put my sword down.

Emma walks past me and slashes him in the throat, dropping dead to the ground.