“Mr. Kanemoto.”

Torakichi opened his eyes to find Hanabira sitting in front of him.

“It’s time.” She said as he sat up.

Torakichi simply nodded while scratching his beard.

It had gotten quite long, but Torakichi didn’t mind it.

He stood up and properly wore his yukata before helping Hanabira and the others pack their things.

Everyone then gathered outside where Hanabira gently held Hibana.

It had stopped snowing and the skies were clear allowing everyone to bath in the warm morning sunshine.

Hanabira then offered Torakichi Hibana.

Torakichi accepted the stone child before tightly binding him onto his back.

He let out a muffled groan as be tightened the final bind.

Torakichi then covered himself in a dark cloak before according his Ōdachi from Amai.

Without saying a word, he walked into the forest with Keii, Amai and Hanabira in tow.

They weaved past countless tree’s before finding themselves next to a certain set of ancient stairs.

Torakichi looked up and saw a certain red temple.

After sighing briefly, he took stepped onto the ancient staircase before ascending towards the temple.

The group quickly arrived at the temple’s entrance, where they could clearly see Jundo sitting in front of the pond.

Torakichi and Keii entered the garden while Hanabira and Amai hid behind the large stone pillars of the temple.

Torakichi and Keii unsheathed their weapons and approached Jundo, who seemed to be saying something.

“I am the Silver Dragon. I am the Silver Dragon. I am the Silver Dragon.”

Keii raised a curious eyebrow while Torakichi raised his Ōdachi.

“I am Jundo, the silver dragon and I will not allow any to desecrate this sacred place any further.” Jundo said aloud as he stood up, Yari in hand.

He then turned to face Torakichi and Keii, revealing that his entire body was covered in cracks and from those cracks fell a grey dust.

“Mmm.” Torakichi groaned as he eyed Jundo over.

“Keii. May I ask you for a favour. One I will not be able to repay.”

“Is now really the best time?” Keii asked, but Torakichi looked at him with eyes that for the first time since they’d met, trembled.

“Please.”

“A- alright. What do you need?” Keii asked as Jundo stood completely still in front of the pond.

“I want you to look after Hanabira and Amai for me-“

“What-?”

“I also want you to leave Jundo to me.” Torakichi said while looking straight into Keii’s eyes.

“N- f- fine! I don’t understand what’s going through that head of yours, but I feel as though I have no choice. Defeat Jundo. For both of us.” Keii said as he slowly backed away.

He eventually reached the pillars where Hanabira and Amai hid.

“What’s going on? Why are you leaving his side?” Hanabira asked, but without turning to face her, Keii responded.

“Don’t worry. He has a plan. All we need do is support him.” Keii said as a gust of wind blew past him.

The wind gently swirled around Torakichi, carrying with it the dried petals of the Moon Tears.

Torakichi took a single deep breath before walking towards Jundo, who did the same.

The two quickly approached each other, prompting Torakichi to raise his Ōdachi.

Jundo sent his Yari forward only for it to be deflected by Torakichi, who then kicked Jundo in the stomach, but as he did, the cracks around Jundo’s eyes deepened, giving his eyes a dark, hollow appearance.

Jundo punched Torakichi in the face before dashing backwards and raising his Yari once more.

Torakichi nodded before raising his Ōdachi, but after taking a few breaths, he threw the large weapon at his right hand before widely swinging it at Jundo, who deflected the first attack, but Torakichi, with the speed of a rabid beast, dashed towards Jundo while swinging his Ōdachi.

Jundo used his Yari’s long handle to bash Torakichi’s right hand, sending it flying to the side.

Jundo then dashed backwards in an attempt to raise his Yari, but Torakichi simply sent out another flurry of attacks which Jundo barely managed to evade or deflect.

“You fight with no rhythm or form! Where is your pride as a warrior?” Jundo asked as streams of grey Ne gathered at his Yari’s blade.

Torakichi slowly lined himself up with the temple’s entrance as streams of Ne gathered on his Ōdachi.

“You and I are fighting for our lives. I don’t think anyone will think less of either of us for doing anything it takes to attain victory. After all, isn’t that why you’re readying your Yari for that special technique of yours? To get the upper hand, you’re willing to throw skill to the way side. As your opponent, I can do nothing but understand.” Torakichi said, but Jundo’s face twisted in response.

“I don’t need my cursed Ne!” Jundo said as he dashed towards Torakichi, only this time, he had his Yari lowered.

Torakichi lowered his Ōdachi as well before readying himself for the coming clash.

Jundo jumped high in the air before sending his foot flying towards Torakichi’s head.

Torakichi simply grabbed Jundo’s leg but just as he tried slamming him into the ground, Jundo sent another kick towards Torakichi.

Torakichi dashed forwards before throwing Jundo downward.

Jundo nimbly landed on his feet before sliding backwards on the stone floor.

He then dashed towards Torakichi again before jumping high into the air.

Torakichi threw his Ōdachi into his right hand before swinging it at Jundo who was still in the air.

“Ah!” Jundo screamed as he sent forth a torrent of Ne towards Torakichi, sending both of them tumbling backwards.

Torakichi quickly stood up before noticing that a good amount of Ne had gathered around his Ōdachi.

Unfortunately, Jundo’s Yari was also covered in Ne.

“Three!” Torakichi barked from the centre of the garden and in the next moment, two blades of Ne formed around his Ōdachi.

Jundo hissed in a manner befitting an insect as he raised his Yari, which had a large pillar of Ne around it’s blade.

“Two!” Torakichi yelled as he tightly gripped his Ōdachi before assuming the Fudō stave by raising his katana high next to his head.

“DIE!”

“ONE!”

Both Torakichi and Jundo yelled as they both swung their weapons and like all that time before, a wave of grey Ne rushed towards Torakichi.

But unlike last time, Torakichi sent out a wave of Ne of his own.

Well, it was a wave made of Ne gathered by Hanabira, Amai and Keii.

Torakichi’s wave cut Jundo’s wave in two and the two resulting waves passed Torakichi by with No real effect.

Jundo, on the other hand, was sent flying backwards.

“Keii!” Torakichi yelled as he fell forwards, his teeth gnashed and his eyes wide. He even had to use his Ōdachi to stay upright.

Keii rushed towards Torakichi, who carefully undid the binds that held Hibana up.

Keii quickly accepted the stone child before running back to the pillar at temples entrance.

As soon as he turned around, he watched as Torakichi proudly stood, his face never turning away from the rising sun.

“AHHHH!” Torakichi screamed as Jundo stumbled onto his feet in the distance.

Torakichi then widely swung his Ōdachi before placing it in front of him.

Jundo let out a pained scoff before dashing towards Torakichi and in an time shorter than he could comprehend, Torakichi struck his Yari’s blade, shattering the weapon in the process, but he didn’t stop there.

Torakichi then cut the weapon’s wooden handle in half, but just as Jundo fell to his knees with raised hands, Torakichi raised his Ōdachi once more.

“I surrender!” Jundo cried as Torakichi’s blade came rushing towards his head.

With closed eyes, Jundo awaited Torakichi’s strike, but it never came.

Jundo opened his eyes to find Torakichi sheathing his Ōdachi.

“Now, Jundo, we will be using the pond.” Torakichi said with crossed arms.

Jundo simply nodded before crawling to the side.

Torakichi then turned around the find Hanabira, Amai and Keii slowly approaching.

Everyone then gasped as a smile slowly formed on Torakichi’s face.

This immediately prompted Hanabira to run into his arms.

“You did it!” She joyously cried as Torakichi gently ran his fingers through her hair.

Hanabira wasn’t sure if it was due to the mountainous weather, but Torakichi’s hands felt extremely cold.

She raised her head to inspect his condition, but he simply gestured towards the pond.

“Go on.” Torakichi said weakly.

Hanabira nodded before walking up to Keii, who carefully handed Hibana to his mother.

Hanabira then walked towards the pond and knelt by its edge.

She quickly looked back at Torakichi to find that adorning his face still was a smile.

Hanabira looked at Hibana and slowly lowered him into the pond’s water’s and like paint, the stone began washing off of the boy.

Hanabira’s eyes widened drastically as she watched her son move for the first time in what felt like an eternity.

After making sure that all of the ash was washed away, she raised him from the water and just as she did, the boy began crying.

Hanabira tight clutched Hibana as the two wept.

She then turned to face Torakichi to find that he was on his knees.

“Mr. Kanemoto!” Hanabira cried as she slowly approached him.

She then saw that his skin was rapidly turning grey.

“What’s happening?” She asked before glancing at Amai and Keii to find that although their faces were twisted with sorrow, they didn’t move from where they stood.

“What’s going on? You did as you promised. You saved Hibana. So why are you kneeling?” Hanabira asked.

Torakichi took a painful breath before offering Hanabira his right hand.

She gracefully accepted it to find that it was cold and hard.

Hanabira gasped before looking into Torakichi’s half open eyes.

“It is as you said. Hibana has returned, but I fear I may not be able to stand by your side any longer.” Torakichi whispered.

Hanabira’s eyes furrowed.

She then looked at Torakichi’s chest to find that due to the absence of Hibana’s binds, his yukata had opened up somewhat, revealing his torn bandages.

But that wasn’t what made Hanabira’s chest ache.

What caused her so much pain was the layer of grey ash that covered most of his skin.

“It would seem as though my time has come.” Torakichi said, but Hanabira frantically shook her head.

“Get into the pond! Surely that will nullify the curses effect.” Hanabira said, but Torakichi faintly shook his head in response.

“Even if the curse is removed, the wound will remain.” Torakichi said, prompting Hanabira to fall into his arms.

Torakichi tightly wrapped his arms around Hanabira, even as they grew numb and cold.

“Can you do me one kindness, my dears?” Torakichi asked.

“Yes, anything!” Hanabira said as she loudly wept.

“Of course.” Amai said as she approached.

“Can you… can you call me, grandpa? Just once.” Torakichi asked.

“A- alright, grandpa!” Hanabira said as Amai allowed Torakichi to wrap his arms around her as well.

“Grandpa…” She wheezed as a stream of tears fell from her eyes.

Torakichi gazed at the morning sky as the darkness from before receded far out of sight.

“Wait for me no longer, brothers fallen. Rest easy knowing that our children still carry the spirit of Chūshin. The time has come for me to rest and I will soon join you all as we watch over our sons… and our daughters.” Torakichi said before looking at Hanabira and Amai.

“I need you to let go.”

“N… alright.” Hanabira said. Her voice muffled within Torakichi’s chest.

After a moment, Hanabira and Amai let go of Torakichi to find that his body was almost completely grey and covered in ash.

Torakichi nodded to himself before turning to Amai.

“Take care of each other, please.”

Amai nodded as she messily wiped her tears.

Torakichi then looked at Keii, who stood next to Hanabira and Amai.

“Thank you as well, Umihara.” He said before sitting upright.

The sun crept ever higher into the sky and Torakichi dared not look away as the light of a new day bathed the land.

THE END

AFTERWORD

Ah… Torakichi Kanemoto’s journey is finally over and I couldn’t be more thankful for each and everyone who followed me on this endeavour.

TLOTHS was born from a moment of curiosity on my part. I noticed that there has been a decrease in characters with classic traits of heroism and selflessness. Heroes are often portrayed (nowadays) as morally ambiguous and suffer from all sorts of inner conflicts. Torakichi is the antithesis of that concept. From the first to last chapters, Torakichi remains steadfast in his beliefs. I really liked that about him as I wrote it out. What’s funny is that Torakichi wasn’t originally this way. He learnt kindness and true selflessness from his friend and master Ririshī Hizashi. When we see Torakichi putting his life on the line, what we are seeing is a man who living on those who are no longer there. Carrying on their legacy.

Interestingly enough, I hesitated writing TLOTHS. I worried that writing a historical Japanese inspired story as a non-Japanese author would come of as… inauthentic. I read a few books on Japanese history and immersed myself in the culture of Bushido, but that gave me a very hollow view of the Japanese. The people of a nation are more than laws, codes and religions. They are individuals and breaking free from stereotypes was the hardest thing in all this. I personally think I failed in that department.

The concept of The Curse of the Ashen Beetle was there from day one. I wanted Torakichi to go on an adventure where the stakes were the life of a child and the child’s mother. If he failed, they all died. However, as I wrote the world and lore, I ended up raising the stakes and including beings such as dragons and even gods via Nae’s whole subplot, but that’s a story for another time.

Chūshin is a country in a constant state of war. This made for very interesting world building and characters, but by adding the fantastical element, I feel like I added a surreal layer to everything. If it weren’t that that, I feel as though TLOTHS would have been a much simpler and honestly more boring story. That and I needed to find a way to justify Hibana’s curse.

Speaking of characters, Hanabira was very peculiar for me to write. She was meant to have a father daughter relationship with Torakichi and I may have been too obvious about this at certain points, but I also feel as though there was always a certain… hesitance between the two. I won’t go too deeply into it as I have plans for Hanabira in a future project set in the same world, but that’s for another time.

Amai as well. I feel as though I have laid the foundation for two very interesting characters and I can’t wait to explore them in future projects. As for who they are and how they came to be, like I said, Hibana was a part of the story from the very beginning. Naturally, his mother would also have a large part in the story. Same for Amai, although she doesn’t appear until a bit later.

Her backstory isn’t explored at all as I feel as though it didn’t have a bearing on the story. She was Nagare’s wife and from the west.

I feel like most of this book makes up for the backstory she missed. It’s setup for something more. At first, she was a plain housewife, but now...

One could argue that Amai isn’t necessary in the story as we have Hanabira and they sort of serve the same role, but I think that there’s a lot more than that especially when it comes to how much support Amai and Hanabira give each other. As stated before, most of their development in TLOTHS is set up. Amai serves as a companion- a sister, if you will, for Hanabira. She is also slightly more capable than Hanabira.

Keii was very hard to write. I needed someone to teach Torakichi and company how to use Ne, but I didn’t want the person to have complete mastery over Ne. That would trivialize their encounters and so I wrote Keii. Well, that’s not accurate as I wrote him backwards. I was midway through Nae’s story when I wrote the scene where she comes across Keii and his friends. From there I worked Keii into my Ne problem.

Speaking of Nae, she was simple to build, but hard to write into the story. She actually has a pretty tragic backstory, but I felt as though overly explaining it didn’t matter much as her intentions were mostly clear. Her relationship with the armies of Kuroppoi is long and complicated. I think it’s pretty clear from the beginning that she wants the emperor. I think the “Flowermaidens” could’ve been written out a little better, but I’ll have to sort that out in a future project.

Ah, there’s also Jundo, but I feel like I shouldn’t talk to much about him. I want to allow you to come to your own conclusions about certain things. Things that might be blatantly obvious.

Actually, a lot of things aren’t confirmed in this book. From the war of the dragons right up until the end, there is a lot to pick apart and analyse without me blatantly explaining everything. It’s not all too complex, but It allows just enough open endedness for me going into the next project.

I could go on and on my writing process, but I’m getting tired of all this typing so, once again, thank you for reading. It means the world.