The Way of the Samurai

The Warrior of Light was allowed a chance for rest while fighting at the Wall was taking place. As she visits Ul'dah one morning though, she heard some very interesting news… that a Far Eastern swordmaster was accepting challengers at the Coliseum. Unable to pass up a challenge, she goes to battle him, only to be given a chance to learn more than she ever thought.

Spin-off story of Azure Skies and Crimson Squall.

Hello there. I did not plan on doing a story like this, but I have a close friend who really enjoys my Azure Skies and Crimson Squall stories and asked me to do a kind of side story for the Samurai and Red Mage quests, which she loves and now majors as. This story will be taking place both right before and during the Stormblood MSQ, and will be covering the Samurai questline, which was really good. For those who have read my other story Eyes Ever Heavensward, the samurai quests 50 to 60 will be happening before the last few chapters of that story and show what my character Claire Faye had been up to before meeting Alphinaud in the Great Gubal Library. (Possibly more of her feelings of everything that had been happening up till that point as well.) There will be 12 chapters in all that will cover the samurai questlines, including all the characters and battles that take place. And since I already have most of it finished, I will by trying to put a chapter up every one or two days. I may or may also be doing the Red Mage quests in another story, but for now, please enjoy the Samurai job quests.

Oh, and for those of you who haven't played as Samurai yet… MAJOR SPOLIER ALERT! YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

The Way of the Samurai

"Far across the rolling waves, towards the rising sun, there lies the island nation of Hingashi.

In the distant past, the realm's great lords vied for supremacy over its sea-girt confines in a long and bloody conflict. And taking to battle in their lieges' names were noble swordsmen whose art was forged in the crucible of war: the samurai.

Eventually, the nation was unified under one banner, and these warriors came to wield their katana not upon fields as part of an army, but upon streets as protectors of the peace.

But as a neglected blade grows dull with rust, so too do men forget their purpose. Amidst waning memories of the old ways, a determined few hold fast to their convictions, hands by katana grips, awaiting the moment for steel to sing."

-FFXIV Lore.

It was late in the afternoon when the ship finally spotted land in the distance.

The ship was returning from a long journey that began at the port of Kugane, and to see Eorzea come into view was a joyful sight for sore and tired eyes of the crew. There were only a few passengers who had sought for a seat across the sea, and now almost all of them had retreated below deck to gather up their possessions for departure.

There was only one traveler who stood on the deck and watched as the land grew causally larger with every moment. An aged samurai dressed in a long grey Haori and a worn jingasa upon his head was enjoying the salty spray from the ocean as he rested a weathered hand upon a katana that hung at his side.

"Take it easy there, old man," one of the sailors called to him as he began to help tighten the sails so that they could catch the wind more easily. "We'll be at port soon enough. You might want to rest while ye get the chance?"

"Thank you for your concern," the samurai said politely to the sailor. "But you need not worry for my health."

But no sooner did he say it then he felt a sharp pain travel through his chest and he had to grab hold of the railing to steady himself. He breathed in deeply, willing the pain to leave him for the moment. He had a task that he must see fulfilled, he will not let his age stop him before he even fully arrived.

"Ye alright there, old timer?" the sailor asked again, looking up in concern. "We got ourselves someone who knows medicine on board if ye need it?"

"No, no, I'll rest when we get there," he replied as he looked on firmly ahead of him. "The journey was harder on me than I thought, but I will be just fine."

The sailor shrugged and went back to work as the aged samurai closed his eyes and began to meditate in an effort to calm himself. Growing old was cruel at times. But he knew that this would happen the moment that he left Hingashi. It hurt him dearly to have to leave his homeland behind him, but also he knew that there was no other road for someone like him to take. So, he used what little money he had left and made for Kugane, where he bought himself passage to a new land. This… Heir's Ear, he believed it to be called? Strange name.

But the last few weeks at sea had not been kind to him, and stabs of pain wracked his body from time to time. He wanted to reach into his pocket and take one of the concoctions he brought with him before he boarded he left Kugane—brews that would help with the pain and restore his vigor. But he only had a handful of them left, and so he had to save them until he absolutely needed them. Still, the pain was becoming more frequent and he knew that his time was coming.

Once he mastered the pain, he opened his eyes and was a little surprised to see that they were now close enough to the land for him to see buildings rising up from the desert and palm trees that shone vividly green in the fading sunlight. They soon sailed right into the small port and he felt the warm sands beneath his feet as he stepped off the ship. It took him a few minutes to get used to the ground no longer moving beneath him, but the hot air soon relaxed him and he was much more comfortable than he had been on his way here.

He turned to the docks and his eyes widen in almost child-like wonder to see the glorious sunset that shone gold and every shade of red he could imagine across the sky and ocean until it looked like everything was ablaze. He stood there, wishing to watch the sun slowly sink below the ocean waves, and he felt a stab of envy as the sun disappeared over the horizon, already beginning its journey back to the east… where he wished that he could follow.

"Right," he said to himself as he removed his jingasa and turned his attention to the matter at hand. From what he knew, this place, whom he believed was called Fester Bay from the sailors was a settlement that was a fair distance away from the main city in these parts—wherever that was. It was at this moment that he remembered that he was in a new land that he knew next to nothing about, and had no idea of where he should go. He was just thinking of trying to find an inn here in town to stay for the night when he heard a startled cry ringing off not far from here.

His head jerked around at the sound at once. It was faint, but it was undeniable. Someone was in trouble. He quickly made his way in the direction, wondering just what was happening in this seemingly quiet settlement. He didn't stop moving until he spotted who had made that nose—down an alleyway, there was a small figure, whom he first believed to be a child. But as the stout, little fellow raised his head to speak, he saw a roundish face and pointed ears. There weren't that many of them where he came from, but he believed them to be called… Laugh a Bells?

The cause of this young one's distress had come in the form of several men, who towered over him, more than a few of them holding onto a bottle of alcohol or brandishing a weapon.

"Look, I'm sorry!" the Laugh a Bell said quickly as he moved back against the wall, as if hoping to simply just disappear. "I didn't mean cause any trouble! Please! Just let me go! I'll go and never come back!"

One of the threatening men laughed cruelly at the Laugh a Bell's terror as he walked closer, fingering a knife the whole way.

"Oh, don't be sorry," he said with a grin. "We're mighty grateful you came by. Now then, how about you hand us over all yer money and we'll call it square?"

"B-But I don't have anything on me!" the young man pleaded desperately. "Please! I got nothing that you want! Just let me go and I won't say anything to anyone?"

"Well then…" the man grinned as he held up the knife and the Laugh a Bell cowered into a tight ball once more, waiting for the knife to come down.

"Hold it!" the aged samurai called as he made his presence known. He took them all by surprise, and they jerked up at his voice. When they saw him there a few of them pulled out swords of their own as they laughed at the sight of him. Most likely thinking that, due to his great age, he couldn't possibly be a threat to them.

"What's this? Back off old man!" the leader of these wicked men called. "What business is any o' this to you?"

"You are right," the aged samurai agreed. "It is none of my business. But I will not stand by and let you harm an innocent. A group of armed men threatening an unharmed and outnumbered individual? I cannot allow such evil to thrive."

"Evil? What? You think this is some sort of fairytale story?" the leader of these muggers demanded. "This is real life, old man! Or are you so old that you can no longer tell the difference?"

"Chief!" one of them said as they pointed at the katana that he still wore at his side. "Look at that there blade! Never seen one like it! We could get a fortune off that?"

"Eh?" their leader asked as he eyed the sword with new interest. "Say, you might be onto something there. Old man, we'll be taking that sword if you don't mind."

"Sorry," he answered back calmly as he rested his hand upon the hilt. "But I'm afraid that low cravens like you would only bring disgrace to a katana."

Besides, this katana has already known enough disgrace by being worn by him.

"I'm sorry, did you hear a 'if it pleases your highness?' Because I guess I meant to say is that we will be taking that nice-looking sword ye got there," the leader said as he left the little Laugh a Bell on the ground and began to walk towards him. "You already look like you're gonna drop dead at any second now anyway. We're just making sure that blade of yours goes to a good home."

"I fear I cannot allow that," he said calmly, his hand already curling around the hilt as they drew closer. "I'm only going to say this once. Let the young man go. I am giving you a chance to repent for your crimes."

"Bah! You lot!" the leader cried out at his men. "Kill him!"

He was suddenly surrounded and the little Laugh a Bell looked up at him in shock as he now tried to reason with the leader not to hurt the old man.

"Not even a shred of remorse," the samurai sighed as he looked around at the armed men. "Very well. You have made your choice. Threatening a defenseless innocent… such evil cannot be suffered."

For that moment he almost felt that he was back home in Hingashi. It seemed that no matter where you went in the world, there would always be evil lurking somewhere.

It was over in a flash. One moment the aged samurai stood there surrounded on all sides by armed men who were twice as large and young as he was… the next, they were all on the ground after having been 'dealt' with.

The leader was the only one who remained upright and gasped at the sight.

"What… what the seven hells happened?!" he cried, his eyes so wide that they were in danger of popping out of his head. "G-Get up, you bloody bastards! Get up! Stop joking around and kill the old man already!"

But when they didn't move, anger filled the leader's face as he dropped his knife and pulled out his own sword. Shouting out curses, he went charging at the samurai… which proved to be the last thing he ever would do.

As quickly as he had charged at him, it was all over and he was on the ground—where he wouldn't harm another soul again.

The aged samurai sheathed his blade back into its sheath as he looked down at the men, stating calmly, "One less evil afflicts the realm."

He was about to leave when the young Laugh a Bell came running up to him, his eyes wide and full of admiration.

The samurai looked down and asked politely, "Are you alright young master? They didn't hurt you, did they?"

The young Laugh a Bell shook his head as he said gratefully, "Thank you so much for your help! I don't know how to thank you! I just came here looking for recruits, when I saw this here group. I took a chance and I almost paid for it with my life. A thousand times over, thank you!"

The samurai nodded down at him kindly.

"I am glad to have been of service," he said. "If it is not too much trouble, would you be able to show me around this area? I fear I just arrived and know nothing about where anything is. But I suppose I am looking for a place where promising warriors gather, master…?"

"The name's Momozigo," he responded brightly before he got a good look at him. "A place where warriors gather? Well you see, there aren't that many places like that around these parts. There is the Waking Sands over yonder, but as far as I know, it is all but empty now. There was an organization that had a handful of skilled warriors, one especially known all over the realm, but they left these parts long ago. Forgive me, but would I be right in guessing that you are not from this land?"

"My, was it truly that obvious?" he chuckled. "Aye, you have the right of it. My name is Musosai, and I hail far across the sea. I arrived not moments ago."

"Well then, Musosai, allow me to be the first to welcome you," Momozigo said with a polite bow. "Come, let us go and talk elsewhere. I will inform the Brass Blades of what happened here," he added as he looked back at the bodies who, until moments ago, had tried to kill him. "They aren't the first crooks who had come here praying on others. Nor will they be the last. I had only gone to them to make them an offer when they turned their blades on me. If you had not showed up when you did I… I fear I would not be standing here."

He looked back up at him and said, "You said you are seeking a place where strong warriors gather. I think that you could do worse than Ul'dah. The shining jewel in the desert, some call it. There are travelers from all over. I would be more than happy to show you around. But, ah… if you don't mind me asking, just what is it that you seek to find?"

"I made the journey here from the Far Eastern lands of Hingashi on two matters," Musosai explained as they walked out of the alley and into the open air. "I am seeking to hunt down a Hingan fugitive. But the other matter, equally important, I came here with the hopes of finding myself a pupil in which I can train in the art of the samurai."

"A samurai!?" Momozigo gasped in awe. "I've heard about the sword welders of the Far East! They say that they are masters of the blade! You must tell me more! If nothing else, at least let me treat you to a meal to show you my gratitude for saving me."

"I would be happy to take you up on your offer for a warm meal," Musosai agreed gratefully. "The journey has been long and I am not as young as I once was. While we travel to this city in the desert, you can tell me more about Heri's Ear."

Momozigo looked confused at the moment he said the name of this land, but he pushed it aside as he bowed low.

"We shall take a carriage to Ul'dah," he promised at once. "And we can talk more on the way there!"

He then went running off to look for one of those horse-bird drawn carriages that Musosai had heard about, but had never really thought of actually seeing one with his own two eyes. Or his nose, for the smell from them was enough to make him feel faint. Still, he was grateful that he wouldn't have to walk the rest of the way as Momozigo returned with the carriage for them.

"I know the carriage-driver," he explained as they sat down in the back and the driver had finished hitching up his horse-birds. "He was just planning on heading back to the city anyway, so he sees no problem why he can't give us a ride there. I'll show you around Ul'dah and maybe we can find a place that will be able to help you."

Musosai did not speak much the rest of the journey there, for Momozigo was doing all the talking as he explained everything he knew about Ul'dah. He found himself quite enjoying his chatter and smiled as he tried to remember everything that was being said, though much of it went over his head, if truth be told.

It was pitch dark out by the time that they arrived outside the gates and he got his first look at the city. His eyes widen at the sight of a towering structure rose up above them upon a hill. A massive gate surrounded the city on all sides while towering stone, shaped in mostly rounded rooftops that seemed to challenge the sky.

He truly wasn't in Hingashi anymore, was he?

He was grateful he had Momozigo here to guide him around the city, telling him that now was a good time to walk for they missed the heat of the desert sun. After climbing up at least a hundred steps to reach the entrance, they entered through the gates and were walking the stone streets. He could only imagine how long it must have taken for builders to labor away crafting such massive stone buildings. There weren't that many people about, but he could see that it was normally crowded during the day… and he had to avert his eyes when he saw several girls that were showing far too much skin as they danced underneath the moonlight for a group of men.

Momozigo took him a place called the Slick Hand where they would be able to share a meal. The food was very foreign to him, but it was rich and it filled him, which he was thankful for. He passed the time telling Momozigo more of Hingashi.

"Sounds like a beautiful place," Momozigo said as he smiled at the idea of faraway lands. "But that is no small trip you took! So you decided to make the trip all the way from Hingashi here just to find a pupil to train? Surely there would have been plenty more in Hingashi that would love a chance to learn from you?"

"I fear that there is a problem in that I have yet to find a worthy pupil in Hingashi," he sighed, deciding not to tell him the real reason that he chose to come here. No one in their right mind would wish to train underneath him… not after what happened to…?

He forced those unpleasant memories down as he added, "I am getting old, and as your mind grows in wisdom your body starts to weaken. In Hingashi, it has always been tradition that a master samurai hands down his knowledge to the next generation, to ensure that their knowledge, and their legacy lives on. I wish to find a student I may pour all of myself into. If I can do that, then I feel that have fulfilled my purpose."

He took a long sip of his drink as he remembered passing by many people through the streets who carried weapons with them.

"Of course, it does not seem that many here have even heard of the ways of the samurai," he explained, "While there is no shortage of those who wield swords, 'tis not like holding a katana. I wish to find a student who has great potential. I fear that with my age, it may not be the right decision to train someone who has never held a blade before in their lives."

"Yes, that may be a concern," Momozigo said before thinking it all over. That was when his face lit up and he gasped out excitedly, "Forgive me for asking you this after you just arrived and everything, but would you be interested in competing at the Coliseum?"

Musosai raised his eyebrows in confusion at his words as Momozigo explained, "Here in Ul'dah, we have the Coliseum. Where skilled fighters called gladiators fight for both coin and fame in front of a roaring crowd. Why the General of the Immortal Flames was hailed as the Bull of Ala Mhigo on the bloodsands, and he is one of the strongest warriors that you're ever likely to meet!"

This sounded promising. While Musosai could not say that he was thrilled at the thought of making a spectacle of himself, he had long since given up his pride as well as his honor.

"I, of course, would understand if you were to say no," Momozigo added quickly as if afraid that he may have accidently offended him. "But you see, I work as the showmaster there. And one of the hardest parts of this line of work is finding promising recruits to fight. It's not exactly an easy lifestyle, but it can earn yourself a decent living if you work hard at it. That is why I was asking those cutthroats before you saved me, which I see now just how foolish it was. But how about you join in the bloodsands and see if you can find a warrior who is worthy of your time?"

Musosai thought this over. It really did seem like it was a plan. It wasn't like he could walk up to random people and ask them to fight him. Yet…?

"I appreciate the offer, Momozigo," he told him. "But I am not interested in trying to win fame or fortune. I seek only the right pupil."

"I know that," Momozigo said quickly. "But we can say that you will be for pre-fight entertainment or something. That any and all are welcome to challenge you to a battle! Maybe a little straight forward than you might expected, but it's not a half bad idea is it?"

Musosai pondered his proposal and weighed his options. All the while his hand reached for the mythrite uchigatana and the soul crystal that he had brought with him from Hingashi, having been planning on giving them to the person he had decided to call his pupil when he found them.

"Very well," he agreed at last, "While it may not be the plan I had in mind when I arrived here, but I believe that the Kami brought me to you in your hour of need for a reason. I agree to your proposal, Momozigo. But I have a condition. That they are to fight with the selfsame blade that I wield. While there may be skilled swordsman at this Coliseum of yours, that doesn't mean much to me. Even a child can swing around a sword with reckless abandon. I seek someone who I believe will come to master the katana and work to master the grace and elegance of such a weapon."

"True, I know that there are some gladiators who don't seem to care about waving a weapon around so long as it hits someone," Momozigo agreed as he thought it over. "But that is why it won't just be open to the gladiators. We can have it open to adventurers as well!"

"To who?" he asked and he quickly learned about the life of an adventurer. Brave young men and women who devoted themselves to seeking out danger and glory all across the realm. They were free to go wherever they want and were often the ones who heed the call to help those in need, whether it be slaying a foul beast that was plaguing innocents, or simply aiding those in small tasks.

"They sound much like samurai," he said, greatly interested now.

"I guess so," Momozigo said with a smile. "Granted, not all adventurers are like that, of course. But more than a few of them do seek out to help those in need. I would say that finding a skilled adventurer may be your best chance at finding a pupil. As a matter of fact, this city is always seeing new and old adventurers arriving all the time! Many of them are skilled warriors in not just the sword, but also of magic. As well as many of them are known as skilled crafters who even work on crafting their own weapons. Aye, I think that finding an adventurer may be the only way for you to go."

"Ah, full glad I am that we have met, my friend," Musosai informed him, and he was starting to get excited now. "But how will we entreat them to come to the Coliseum to challenge me?"

"We simply have to get the word out," Momozigo stated, "Usually, only trained gladiators are allowed to fight at the Coliseum. However, adventurers are allowed to compete at special events. Most do that for the coin and glory, that much is true. But there are always those who are seeking a powerful opponent to fight? And if word gets out that we have a Far Eastern samurai taking on challengers, why, it should be like vultures to a desert carcass and they will flock to our door for a chance to fight you. I suggest that we also put out some kind of reward for challenging you, and the one whom you deem worthy to become your pupil will win it…?

"Ah, then how about this?" Musosai suggested as he set the mythrite uchigatana on the table in front of them, along with the soul crystal that contained the memories of the samurai. "We tell them that the winner will be given a rare Hingashi treasure. For the art of the samurai is not taught in these lands. So a chance to learn would be a great treasure."

"It sounds like a plan!" Momozigo said with a grin and jumped about excitedly. "I'll head over to the Coliseum at once and get it all ready to go! In the meantime, why don't you stay at the inn here? I know the inn keeper, and if you mention my name, they should allow you to stay here for free for the time being. I'll come back to inform you when everything is set! So don't go too far you hear?"

"You have my gratitude," he said honestly as he watched Momozigo bow and jumped from his chair as he headed towards the door.

Ah, the Kami can be as kind as they are sometimes cruel. He had only arrived in Heri's Ear for less than a day, but already he was on the right path to finding his pupil. All he had to do now was wait, and hope that his pupil would come to him soon.

*Several Days Later*

A young woman was walking along the streets of Ul'dah, merely visiting old, familiar sites, as she looked for something to do. It was hard to believe how long it had been since the battle at the Wall at the border of Gridania, and it would only be a matter of time before she and the other Scions would be asked to look more into the matter.

But for now, she wanted to leave that behind… to forget, even for a short time. She looked upwards to a bright sky with hot sun shining down on them all. Closing her eyes, she enjoyed the warmth on her face, emptying her mind at that moment.

She was exhausted—yet, at the same time, she was not the type of person to just sit back and take a vacation—though it did sound tempting if truth be told. The fact was, she had grown bored. She travelled across Eorzea, joining in every guild she could find, and just seemed to have run dry on learning something new.

She was yearning for something to take her mind off everything that seemed to weigh down upon her soul these days. She wished for something to distract her from her constant burdens that she must carry with her as the Warrior of Light.

She must grow stronger and be prepared for whatever is to come next.

But no sooner did she think that was she nearly run over. She opened her eyes in time to catch herself and saw that it had been an excited Ul'dahn citizen who had done the deed.

"Thal's balls, just when you think you've seen it all! The world's full of surprises!" he gasped excitedly to himself, not even realizing that he almost knocked her to the ground.

"Excuse me, but what are you talking about?" she asked politely in a quiet voice as she steadied herself.

"What am I talking about, you ask?" he asked, only too eager to tell someone of whatever amazing surprise he had seen. "Oh, nothing much—just the most amazing bladework I've ever seen!"

She tilted her head in surprise at his words—wondering just what was happening in Ul'dah this day. She thought it sounded like there was a new fighter at the Coliseum to her if he was this excited for a fight, yet…?

"It wasn't even the main card, either, but light entertainment," he explained, now on a roll, "A Far Eastern fellow, old enough to be my grandfather, appeared and called for challengers. But who should answer him but a brute of a gladiator? People thought it was either mummery or a sick joke. After, all what could one expect from such a mismatch—the old and infirm versus the young and in form? But when the action began, the old man proceeded to drop everyone's jaws—his opponent's not least of all—with his blistering bladework!"

She didn't say anything as she let him continue talking, but she felt her interest grow the more that she had heard of him.

"The most riveting moment, though, was when he had the challenger on the back foot. For instead of finishing the job, he went and sheathed his blade!" the Ul'dah citizen went on, as if he had just seen the most amazing battle in the history of the world. "Putting your steel away in the heat of battle… well, that's akin to committing suicide. This wasn't lost on the gladiator, who lunged in with a might swing. The spectators gasped collectively, thinking it was over. And it was… but not for the old man. For in the next instant, before anyone could comprehend what had happened, his opponent was crumpled on the ground! In one fell stroke, and with impossible speed, the old man had drawn his sword and dealt the telling blow. A few heartbeats passed in stunned silence, then the stands erupted in riotous cheering. Gods, just recounting it gives me the chills! The speed, the precision, the elegance… simply sublime! How's it possible I had never heard of these Far Eastern warriors? These 'samurai'?"

Samurai? Her first thought that it may have been Gosetsu. But no, that couldn't be right, he was still at the Rising Stones with Yugiri. Still, a samurai was seeking challengers in the Coliseum? She was most certainly interested, for after seeing Gosetsu in battle, she had been hoping for a chance to test her skills against a samurai. Especially after hearing all this. To sheathe your blade in the middle of a battle only to finish the fight in one blow? That certainly sounds like it would have been a fight that she wished she could have seen.

"Excuse me," she asked carefully, "But is this samurai accepting all challengers? Or simply gladiators?"

The man looked at her in surprise at the question before his eyes widen in understanding.

"W-Wait, are you thinking what I think you're thinking, and you want to face the old man?" the man asked before giving her advice, "Well, that silver-tongued showmaster was looking for a new challenger, but you don't want to do this. Let someone else be the fool."

She merely smiled as she nodded her head at his concern, but when she turned on her heel and left, she went straight towards the Coliseum. Her blood almost singing with the promise of a new fighting style was just around the corner.

*Musosai*

Musosai was sitting there meditating as he tried to calm his mind as well as the pain that shook his old bones. He took several calming breaths, his mind remarkably clear as he waited for news to reach him on another challenger. Though it was hard to do so when he heard Momozigo arguing with the crowd just outside the doors, demanding to know when he would fight again.

"I am sorry," Momozigo's voice said to them once again, "But without any willing challengers to fight him, there is naught else I can do. The samurai is only staying here with us for a short time for this event. He will fight until we find someone who will win the rare Hingan treasure. And until we receive willing challengers, I can't tell you when the next battle will be."

Musosai was grateful that Momozigo was able to convince the crowd to go on their way, many of them letting out sighs of disappointment that they may not get another battle right away. But he had no intension of staying here for much longer. He already disliked making a show of his abilities to a crowd of fans against blood-thirsty men who were warriors in name only. Such as the case with the last one, who had tried to attack him when he had resheathed his blade… because of such cowardly methods, he was cast out of the Coliseum in disgrace. Nothing could be done about that though, for he did not deserve to be called a warrior, more like a brute.

Not to say that all of his challengers were like that. There were many gladiators, and a handful of adventurers who had come to challenge them. Many fought honorably, and accepted their losses gracefully. But so far, none of them seemed to take to the way of the samurai in a way that grabbed Musosai's attention.

As he focused on his breathing, he could hear Momozigo continuing to call out to any who would listen.

"Come one, come all, and marvel at a mystery of the Far East!" he cried out like he was a merchant trying to sell in the marketplace. "A swordsman hailing from exotic Hingashi, whose bladework is quicker than the eye can see! Don't let his age fool you! Old though he may be, he's already made short work of one of Ul'dah's meanest gladiators, and he now seeks a new challenger! If you can best him, you'll be rewarded with a rare Hingan treasure! There's just one condition: you must fight with the same blade as the old man's. If you think you have what it takes, proceed to the Gladiators' Guild and make yourself known to the Far Eastern elder!"

Already beaten one of Ul'dah's meanest gladiators…? Well, he certainly hope that didn't also mean one of their most skilled, for if that was the case, then he would be just as disappointed with the next challenger as he was with this last one who was unable to even hold the katana up properly.

Perhaps this was a bad idea, after all? But he knew not what else he could do. No one would wish to become his pupil back in his homeland, and that was the reason he had come to this land of Heir's Ear. He was just wondering if he would have time to be able to rest before the next challenger arrived when he sensed it.

A very powerful aura reached his senses, one that caused his eyes to snap open as he looked down the hallway. What was that? Whose aura was it that was able to make him feel so light-headed at that moment? It felt like he could sense lightning in the very air around him just before a strong storm was coming and it took his breath away.

He had to shut his eyes again as he tried to calm himself, clear his mind again. But that aura was growing stronger and stronger by the moment, as if it were approaching him. Once he managed to regain control of his senses, he opened his eyes again to be greeted with a surprise.

A lovely young woman, who couldn't have been more than twenty summers old, approached him and it was then he realized that this spectacular aura was radiating from her as if it were light.

"This aura…" he whispered as he looked at her up and down, before she could say anything to him. "Unusual, yet undoubtedly formidable. Dare I hope a worthy challenger has come?"

She nodded silently at him and he stood so that he could greet her properly.

"Well met, friend. I am Musosai, a samurai of Hingashi. Least you wonder, samurai are swordsman of the Far East," he explained to her at once, feeling his blood race at the thought of being able to fight and test out another potential pupil. "Yet know that the swords we wield are unlike those of this land. Katana, they are called, and for our duel I shall lend you such a blade… along with a stone—a talisman of sorts. Wear them on your person, and you shall become one of us—at least in appearance if not in sooth."

She didn't answer him as she arched a single eyebrow. Yet, he understood her meaning. She was certainly interested in this chance to fight him with such a unique weapon.

He handed her the Uchigatana as well as the crystal that was embedded with the mark of the samurai. As soon as she took it in her hands, the stone shone brightly, already bestowing upon her the memories of the samurai. As it glowed, she staggered slightly as her eyes shut.

Interesting… most usually fell right over when they first take a soul crystal. So she was familiar with them at the very least. She took several deep breaths, and he knew that she must be feeling pain from the memories of the techniques filling her mind. He waited as it seemed to take much longer than usual for her to steady herself and come out of the trance. But that was a good sign, for it meant more of the memories the stone was now pouring into her.

After a time, she managed to regain control and stood tall as she looked at the crystal and katana with wide eyes.

He smiled kindly as he also handed her the clothes that would suit a young, fledgling samurai. He patiently waited for her to return, and when she did, she had already regained her senses and the clothes were all fitting her perfectly with the katana sitting at her side. He was pleasantly surprised to see how natural she seemed to be in what had to be, for her, foreign garb.

The last challenger refused to wear such gear as he swung about the katana with the grace of a wild animal waving a stick—oh, just recalling the sight was enough to break his heart at how the katana was being treated.

She stepped up towards him once more, and he could see a new fire blazing in those eyes of hers.

"Ah, yes, in your gaze I see the stirrings of a newborn samurai," he told her approvingly. "'Tis plain the stone has already bequeathed some of its memories unto you. Yet having the memories is one thing, mastering them quite another. We shall see how well you fare against me. Prepare yourself, young samurai; we begin as soon as you are ready."