Remembering the Vows

The crowds chanted as their respectable lords entered the arena, the same arena Zhōng discovered the army of the Old Empire. They all had their mechs activated and were ready for a fight. "Are we ready, my lords?" asked Zhēngfú, carrying a black sword as he entered.

"Depends if you are sure about this." stated Lord Varius.

"In the law of the old, anyone can challenge the emperor after he wins against all the lords loyal to the emperor. Therefore the victor will take the throne since my brother refused it because he forfeits the match." claimed Zhēngfú.

"Shouldn't we take heed to his warning?" asked Lord Reed.

"If you're refusing to fight then you can forfeit as well, but we suffer much from the so-called empress. It's time to show the world we don't give up after a scrimmage." stated Zhēngfú. He activated his mech and the fight began.

"Hurry up, Xing!" cried Prince Zhōng, he was five years old and ran with Lady Zhen, who was five as well, as they run away from his little sister.

"Slow down, brother!" cried Xing who was three years old yet played with him almost in everything. They run through the gardens of Old Mansion as their grandpas watch from the balcony.

They ran through present Zhōng and Princess Zhen as if they weren't there. Princess Zhen started to notice even at that age she ran after him and how much he used to smile. "That seems so long ago," stated Zhōng, his cowl was up and his arms crossed as they watched.

"Even long ago, promises are counted to keep." said the Vow Keeper behind them.

Suddenly, Lady Zhen tripped and fell, she cried as her knee was scraped. "Are you okay?" asked Prince Zhōng, he noticed her ripped dress and then a root. "Don't worry, my lady, I'll have them remove that thing that hurt you and I promise to protect you from any harm I know of." he promised, helping Lady Zhen to her feet. This was the first promise Zhōng made in his life.

"Thank you, your majesty." said Lady Zhen, he smiled so big at her, a smile she hadn't seen from him ever again.

"Did Lady Zhen get a boo-boo?" asked Princess Xing, she finally caught up to them and noticed Lady Zhen's ripped dress.

"Not as bad as you're going to get when we catch you." joked Prince Zhōng. He chased after his little sister with Lady Zhen going after them. The grandpas nodded and smiled as they continued to play but their children frowned from it.

"Well I'm glad someone is enjoying this," stated Emperor Huo.

"Perhaps you should learn hospitality from your younger son." mentioned Lady Wēi.

"For your information, I didn't invite you." noted Emperor Huo.

"Yet your name was clearly written." replied Lady Wēi. The two families never got along with the other in their respective family lineage. The bitterness between the two families could be drawn back to the First Wielder of the Ninja Sword.

"There must be a mistake, a reason for clarity perhaps from someone else who wrote that as written in the law."

"Yet you don't follow them, why should I?" asked Lady Wēi. Emperor Huo shook his head as he watched his younger children play a lady from a family he didn't like. "War is coming, they're calling for your head." she warned.

"And I wonder who's encouraging it, war won't start as long as our fathers are both alive." said Emperor Huo.

"That I can agree with, their era of peace would be nothing more than a blimp." stated Lady Wēi.

"When one of us loses everything, there will be peace once again." stated Emperor Huo walking away.

As they predicted, a week after the visit, the father of Lady Wēi and grandpa of Lady Zhen died. In his will, he wanted peace in the empire and hoped that they'll be happy. Two months later, Zhōng's grandpa died, it wasn't a week after the first blood of the Eight-Year War was spilled. "The rebel forces are fighting smartly," stated a general.

"By the time we have our troops there, they'll be exhausted from the ambushes along the roads," said another.

"Is there any way to contradict this?" asked Emperor Huo.

"No, your majesty," replied a third.

"Then I have no choice," began Emperor Huo. He stood up since he was eating dinner with his family. With the Ninja Sword in hand, he walked up to his sons. Prince Zhēngfú, who was eight at the time, looked up in shock but was ready to accept the responsibility, he began to stand up before his father stopped him. "Zhōng, kneel," he ordered. Prince Zhōng was confused as to why but obeyed as the heart of his brother sank. "Do you promise to fight with the strong to protect the weak?"

"Yes, father," replied Princess Zhōng.

"Do you promise if called upon, you will join the caller or stay out of the conflict?"

"Yes, father,"

"Finally, do you promise to be loyal and honorable to this empire?"

"I swear, father,"

"Then I, Emperor Huo of the Ninja Empire, named you, Prince Zhōng, to be my heir to the throne and the Ninja Sword." proclaimed Emperor Huo. All who heard bow down to Zhōng as his duties as advisor to the emperor were over. He was going to be the next emperor of the Ninja Empire.

"In a span of less than three months, you made four vows." applauded the Vow Keeper as the memory disappeared into the mist.

"All four I still keep," stated Zhōng.

"Really?" questioned the Vow Keeper. "For five years, you broke one of these four, that's honorable. To be someone people can trust on as you speak the truth, but you hid behind someone else. A person that never existed, tell me, do you still think you kept your first vows?"

"Since I have done that, why didn't you come sooner than you did." challenged Zhōng.

"An excellent point, Fallen Prince, an excellent point indeed." stated the Vow Keeper. The mist opened and they were standing on a grassy hill with a tent at the top, very important people were inside discussing something.

"Lord Zhe, thank you for coming." said Lady Wēi.

"This better be promising, Lady Wēi." stated Lord Zhe.

"It is, I require your allegiance in exchange for marriage." claimed Lady Wēi.

"You think joining our families together will sway me? We both lost our spouses, shouldn't we give them respect and not remarried?" questioned Lord Zhe.

"Not us to get married, but for them too." stated Lady Wēi pointing over where Lady Zhen and Lord Zào were sitting and talking. They seem awkward compared to when she met Prince Zhōng, where they would take off playing before asking what they like.

"A promise marriage," concluded Lord Zhe.

"When I win this war, she will be the heir to the throne. Your son would-be emperor, second in command if anything happens to my daughter." said Lady Wēi.

"But why continue this war? It's been almost a month since Prince Zhōng was proclaimed to be the heir to the throne. I've been told he is well-liked among the people." stated Lord Zhe.

"He is but what will he be if ascends to the throne? Will he still favor his people even those he fought against, his family has good ties with anyone no matter what. If I stop this war and let him ascend to the throne, he will favor just the people that fought for him over the people who fought against him. Whether it is just or not, he will never side with us again." said Lady Wēi.

"And so you don't just want Emperor Huo out, you want the throne for yourself and your family. Cause you know he won't listen to you even if you give him good advisors" concluded Lord Zhe.

"With you by my side, we'll have two of the five powerful houses. With the men to cancel out the other three, the houses that'll follow us can take on the other houses." reasoned Lady Wēi.

"If I do this, I want a few things other than a marriage promise." demanded Lord Zhe.

"Give me the list, I'll make sure it'll happen." agreed Lady Wēi.

"Although you didn't swear to keep it, you are involved in it." stated the Vow Keeper as the world was swallowed up by the mist.

"That's how I was promised to marry him," said Princess Zhen.

"A pig who sees any girl and would like to sleep with her." commented Zhōng.

"Didn't you have feelings for her?" asked the Vow Keeper, snapping Zhōng's attention. "You did and still do."

"She deserves better," growled Zhōng.

"Someone better, like you?" challenged the Vow Keeper. Voices of lords and ladies swore to serve him till he died flooded the silent air. "Promises work both ways, Fallen Prince." he said.

The mist faded and showed a town, streets that Zhōng was very familiar with. "Why do I have to do this? Can I just go and play and have my father handle this?" complained Prince Zhōng.

"Cause even though you have the lords' loyalty, you need people as well." stated Howin, Prince Zhōng's personal bodyguard.

"Is there a way I can just avoid this completely?"

"Words from another can be interpreted by someone, if the people are going to trust someone, it's best to come from that person." replied Howin.

"I wish I could be with my friends." grumbled Prince Zhōng, he saw two children peer from an alley. They looked hungry and poor judging by their clothes. Prince Zhōng walked up to them, he reached in his purse and pulled out two gold pieces for each of them. "Use it to get food and clothes. The war should never be a reason to starve and die." he told them. The two children nodded and hurried out to do what he said.

"Now you understand why you should speak," stated Howin.

"I'm not good at speeches like my brother," said Prince Zhōng.

"Who says you have to be?" asked Howin. They reached the place where they were going. Crowds cheered as they saw Prince Zhōng, he walked up and prepared to speak.

"People of the Ninja Empire," he began, "our enemy does not think I should rule. They think they should choose a leader to rule without giving me a chance. They say terrible things about me that have never been true, for you are my witnesses. You see me play with kids my age throughout the streets. You see me come and stroll through this city without having to worry about a thing. Now my people, would you fight for me?" the crowd roared in agreement.

"What happens if they win?" someone shouted. The crowd went silent and Howin and some guards were going to look for who said it before the hand of Prince Zhōng stopped them.

"Then I'll fight for this empire. Even if you scream for my head, I will continue to fight for the interest of this empire. We've been fighting for four years, I've been told we can win this. I just need more people to believe in me. Will you, the one who asked?" said Prince Zhōng.

A man raised his hand so the prince could see him. "You'll have me, I'll fight for you," he promised.

"I bet he thought for the worse case and yet it did happen." stated the Vow Keeper.

"If I find him now, he'll perhaps boo at me when he sees how far I've fallen." proclaim Zhōng.

"Speaking of faces to remember, you, princess, have a familiar person not just by face but by hands as well." stated the Vow Keeper. A sudden scream filled the air as the mist faded away as Princess Zhen's face began to go pale.

"Let me go!" cried Lady Zhen who had her arms and legs tied and spread apart. She wore a white shirt and nothing else as men surrounded the table she was tied to. It's been six years since the war started with no end in sight, a daring move from the emperor had her kidnapped. "I demand you to let me go!" she cried.

"Oh, we won't let you go when we're finished." stated Emperor Huo. He, Commander Gomun and a third stood right in front of her.

"When my mother hears about this, you won't be shown mercy." jeered Lady Zhen.

"Has your mother ever told you about the Vow Seal? A mark that promises loyalty to someone, you'll have to do anything and everything they tell you to do. Someone in your family had it for showing disobedience, this seems like a good time to do it again." said Emperor Huo. The third revealed a hot rod with a sealed mirror crest with Emperor Huo and Prince Zhōng's names on each side. He pressed it below her belly, she screamed from the pain of skin burning. The memory brought tears into Princess Zhen's eyes by watching her scream and feeling defenseless.

"Don't worry, this will be the most you feel in one spot." chuckled the third as he and his assistant chuckled at what they had prepared for her.

"He wasn't wrong, after that, they whipped me and spanked me till I was raw. It could have been worse if they rape me but they stop there claiming that it should be saved for you, Zhōng." said Princess Zhen, she looked at Zhōng who showed no emotions but his fist was clenched tight and shaking.

"I wish I knew sooner than I did, that way I would never have let this happen to you." stated Zhōng as he continue to watch the torture.

"But if you did, would you rush so hastily?" asked the Vow Keeper as the next scene began. It was three months before the fall of the capital as Emperor Huo walked briskly through the palace.

"With the men, that's marching with her, she could be preparing to attack the capital." stated a general.

"She'll have to get through School Town otherwise it would be dangerous for her to move her troops." stated a second.

"Then prepare School Town for war, if it falls, the capital will as well." ordered Emperor Huo. The generals bowed and turned away as Prince Zhōng met his father.

"Father, I wrote another letter to her. Do you think she'll be able to respond?" he asked his father.

"Don't worry son, when this is over you can speak to her anytime." promised Emperor Huo.

"Your majesty, news of Lady Wēi's other forces, I've received." interrupted a messenger. Emperor Huo turned around to face him, his blue fiery eyes lit up stating he made a mistake.

"Lady Wēi," repeated Prince Zhōng, dropping his letter. "Isn't she the mother of Lady Zhen?"

"I'll discuss it later then, leave before you cause more damage." growled Emperor Huo. The messenger understood and hurried away.

"Father, why is she fighting us?" asked Prince Zhōng, his father gave him no reply as his back still faced him. "How long has she been the leader? Surely Lady Zhen won't like to fight against me."

"Yes, she will." snapped Emperor Huo turning around quickly to face his son. "There's always been conflict between our houses, now they show their true colors."

"Not Lady Zhen, we got along." said Prince Zhōng in disbelief.

"It's the truth, the friend you know was nothing more than a dream. She and her family will always hate us because of jealousy. They're traitors to this empire."

"You mean she never got even one of my letters?"

"No, she didn't get any of them." said Emperor Huo, he picked up the letter Prince Zhōng dropped and ripped it in front of him.

Prince Zhōng ran away from his father as the news he couldn't take anymore. After thirty minutes of alone time, Howin opened the door to his room to discover him packing for a trip. "What are you doing?" he asked.

"I'm leaving," stated Prince Zhōng, checking his Longus before packing it. "I have to be with her."

"You found out, didn't you?" asked Howin guiltily.

"You mean you knew as well and didn't tell me?" accused Prince Zhōng as he continued to pack.

"He didn't want you to find out." explained Howin.

"I don't care, I'm in a war against a friend, a war that I didn't start."

"But if you go to her, will the camp accept you?" asked Howin, pausing what Prince Zhōng was doing. "You are the heir and the prince, Lady Wēi could have you ransome for your father to get you back. If she doesn't, well, she could force you to surrender the throne and kill you."

"Are you suggesting that I do nothing?"

"This war is almost at its end, a decisive move and the other side loses. Then and only then, you get to meet with her again." reasoned Howin.

Prince Zhōng sighed, he was right. Going there would have him die than see her again. He missed her and was wondering how she was doing. "Whether it's far away or close by, I'll keep in touch with her when this war is over." promised Prince Zhōng.

"Tell me, Fallen Prince, will you still protect her?" asked the Vow Keeper.

"What kind of question is that?" demanded Zhōng.

"If you find out about her secret, would you still do as you promise?" asked the Vow Keeper again.

"Please, don't show it." pleaded Princess Zhen.

"Oh, you still remember, now I know for sure you were going to break it." said the Vow Keeper.

"She has nothing to do with this, leave her alone." stated Zhōng.

"Considering that I pulled her in as well, she was going to break a promise she made long ago." stated the Vow Keeper. The mist for the final time disappeared and they were standing in a cell. In a corner of it, wearing what was once white was now brown and red from the lashes and dirt, hugging herself was Zhen. Her blond hair was messed up and her red eyes had tears flowing from them.

The cell door opened, snapping their attention away from her as Emperor Huo entered the cell. Zhen pushed herself deeper into the corner as he tossed a bag of food at her. "Might as well look like we fed you at least." stated Emperor Huo. She knew not to refuse and took the bag and ate the food, she was hungry. "Your mother has captured School Town, by the sounds of it, both sides lost many men but your mother still has her best." Zhen said nothing but slowed down her eating to hear him. "Perhaps in a week or two, she'll be here. I have a request for you if she wins."

"I've been in here for a long time, you have beaten and tortured me. Why should I obey?" asked Zhen, she regretted saying it but Emperor Huo looked depressed.

"Because I'm asking if you can spare him. He's done nothing to deserve what I fear your mother will do."

"He's aware of what you did to me and never once did he come down to see me. I saw him playing with his sister, his ward, his guards, and his friends in the gardens while I was getting beaten. You're asking me to protect him, well here's my answer I will never. I hate him and I would kill him if given the chance. The end of your family is over with him." proclaimed Zhen.

Zhōng looked over to Princess Zhen, he saw tears fall down her face as the scenes played out. "Well you answer me then," said Emperor Huo, he got up and went to the door. "If I win this, I'll come back with my son to see you, perhaps then you'll reconsider what you said to me." he said as the door closed behind him.

"No, I didn't mean it." pleaded Princess Zhen as they watched Emperor Huo leave. "I didn't know better, come back, please." she begged and began to cry as the mist swallowed the world. She collapsed on her hands and knees and continued to cry.

"Such a drama queen, perhaps you should be careful how you say things now on." stated the Vow Keeper. "Now, Fallen Prince, you understand why she came as well. She was going to save you from me, almost breaking her vow."

"You believe giving her this reminder was needed?" asked Zhōng.

"This reminder was your trial, you discover and rediscover vows you can't break as the wielder of the Ninja Sword." explained the Vow Keeper.

"Should I have seen hers?"

"You were thinking of having her be your heir to the Ninja Sword. Both of you now understand the other, how the other felt up till now. And now it's time for judgment." stated the Vow Keeper. "The boy who broke his promises and the girl who can't save him. One will die, the other will have to leave as a living warning to keep the vows." he said as he activated his mech. "Which one, which one?" he taunted pointing his gun and aiming at one then the other.

Suddenly he fired, aiming at Princess Zhen, she closed her eyes expecting the impact that never came. She cautiously opened her eyes and saw blood trickle from Zhōng's left arm as he blocked the bullet. "She shouldn't be judged for something she did not do." growled Zhōng, he activated the Ninja Sword and the fight began.

The Vow Keeper fired rounds after rounds at the two. The ones aiming at Princess Zhen, Zhōng blocked, the ones aiming at him he took the force of it. No matter what he did, he was getting shot, from the legs to the arm, even to the shoulders and almost the head. The Ninja Mech was glitching causing him strain internally as well as externally. He fired back but his shots were wild, he was losing control. "You're done." stated the Vow Keeper, drawing his blade and charge at Zhōng. With his guns firing to give him cover, Zhōng did not see the blade until it impaled the left side of his stomach.

Shock spread across both Zhōng's and Princess Zhen's faces. His entire plan was to have Zhōng suffer all the hits and the blows till he delivered the final. The Ninja Mech continued to glitch but Zhōng didn't want to go down like this. With whatever he had left he speared his blade into the shoulder of the Vow Keeper. A blow that could've been fatal if the Vow Keeper didn't pull back. "Had enough?" grunted Zhōng as he remove one of his arms from the controls to clinch his stomach.

"A well-played move, Fallen Prince, perhaps the next time we meet, we can finish this." stated the Vow Keeper, suddenly all the wounds of shots disappearing the only thing that stayed was the wound on his stomach.

"I'll keep you to that word if we cross paths again." promised Zhōng.

"Now begone, our business is done." stated the Vow Keeper. He disappeared into the mist and soon it disappeared as well, leaving both Zhōng and Princess Zhen on the balcony of the Old Capital.

The Ninja Mech deactivated and Zhōng collapsed on the ground clutching his stomach. Princess Zhen looked in shock, she wanted to help but couldn't as far as she got was putting her hand on her sword. Zhōng finally got on his feet, crouching as his blood continued to drip from his stomach. When he finally stood straight up he turned to look at the princess. His look wasn't anything she saw from him. It was concerned and emotionless, his eyes were dull and showed no sign of pain. A look she wasn't expecting to see from him. "Zhōng," she muttered.

"Let's get you home." said Zhōng calmly. He stumbled over and led the way out. As they walked in the hallways, he stopped and turned around towards the way they came, something he sensed was upsetting him. An evil presence within the shadows has awoken and his nightmare was almost upon him. Princess Zhen noticed him turn back, before she could ask, he turned back around and continued to lead them out.

The lords breathe heavily, even with all of them against him were no match. Zhēngfú stood over them in his new black mech as the crowd cheered. "How is it possible?" asked Lord Zhihao.

"Nothing is impossible, a blade that can rival my brother's could tilt the balance in our favor." stated Zhēngfú.

"A deal is a deal, we agree to follow you if you win. Now that you have and your brother has forfeited, you are now our emperor." proclaimed Lord Sensou, lord of the Border Fiefdom.

"Long live our emperor!" cried a lord and the room echoed. Zhēngfú smiled, now is the time to take revenge on his brother, the empress, and everyone who kicked him out.

"Guard, open the gate." shouted Zhōng, they were standing in front of the gate to the palace in the New Capital.

"Who goes there?" demanded a guard from above the gate.

"It's the Fallen Prince and the princess, let us in." called Zhōng.

"Right and I'm the uncle, get lost." replied the guard, he did not believe them.

"Listen you, open up this gate before things get bloody, I'm in no mood and will kill you if it means getting inside." threatened Zhōng.

"What's going on?" asked Commander Zhèngyì who came by after hearing the commotion.

"Commander, sir." replied the guard standing at attention.

"Is that the commander? Hey, tell your man to open the bloody gate before I kill him." sneered Zhōng.

"Why does he want in?" asked Commander Zhèngyì.

"He claims to be the Fallen Prince and his partner the princess, commander." stated the guard.

Commander Zhèngyì looked down to see them, though he couldn't see Zhōng well, he recognized Princess Zhen. "Open the bloody gate before I let him kill you." he ordered as he ran to the base of the gate. When the gate opened, he had five guards with him as they greeted the princess. "Your majesty, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at school?" asked Commander Zhèngyì as he and his men surrounded the princess.

"It's a long story," replied Zhōng. His cowl was up, but the cloak was cracked open revealing his weapons and his bloody shirt.

"You should come in, we need to take a look at it." replied Commander Zhèngyì, noticing the shirt.

"Thank you, but I must refuse and go away." replied Zhōng. Princess Zhen's eyes widened, she turned around to look at him. She couldn't let him go but the void inside the cowl said otherwise. "The Old has risen, tell the empress to prepare for the assault. They're going to strike soon." he warned.

"It might be best if it came from a witness." noted Commander Zhèngyì.

"You have one already, she felt it too." stated Zhōng, he turned around and began to walk away.

"Zhōng, wait, don't go." pleaded Princess Zhen.

Zhōng paused and turned around before saying, "We both saw things about each other that we wish we never have to look back and see. Remember them, so you can take control of the Ninja Sword when it's over for me." He continued to walk away in the dark streets of the New Capital as Princess Zhen watched for perhaps the last time he was going to disappear from her.