SWORD OF EMOTIONS

Long ago, there was a kingdom known as Doragon. Doragon was a powerful and prosperous kingdom, feared by many and respected by all. Most kingdoms feared and respected Doragon because they had the strongest guardian animal, the Dragons, with whom they fought together, and they possessed a special sword known as Kanjō no ken – Sword of Emotions. This sword possessed a unique power that allowed it to be bound with the possessor's feelings, turning the possessor's emotions into extreme fighting power. If the possessor had a strong feeling of determination to win a battle, he would never lose. This sword could turn the tables around in an instant to favor the possessor.

This made other kingdoms not dare cross swords with them, and so the kingdom of Doragon exerted dominance over all others. Even with their enormous power, they never caused needless war with their neighbors. Instead, they ensured that peace reigned among all.

For generations, the sword had been passed down to the first male child of the royal family who would eventually become king and head of the army. In the time of Takashi Ichiro III, his younger brother, Takashi Jiro, didn’t like that Ichiro would be receiving the sword. He was jealous of Ichiro and wanted the sword and the throne all to himself. He thought of a way to get it and figured that if Ichiro died, the next in line to the throne would be him. He went ahead to kill Ichiro by poisoning his tea. Ichiro died, and just as Jiro predicted, the elders decided that he should be the next king in place of Ichiro. Jiro was ecstatic that his wicked plan had worked out fine.

During the coronation and the presentation of the sword, Jiro lifted the sword for the whole kingdom to see, just as it had always been done in the past, but instead of the sword shining a bright blue light, it shone a bright red light that gave rise to gasps and murmurs from the people. The elders couldn’t figure out the problem. Such a thing had never occurred before. The elders whispered among themselves, but none knew what the cause could have been.

Jiro ascended the throne, and things began to fall apart. He was selfish and greedy; all Jiro wanted was power—more and more power. He destroyed the peace that had long lasted between Doragon’s neighbors by declaring war against them, conquering them, and forcing them to pay tribute to him. The elders had tried to stop him from doing such, but he didn’t listen to them.

After forcing all under him, he still wanted more power. He suddenly wanted the power of the dragons too for himself. The dragons refused to give him their powers, saying that he was an unscrupulous power-monger and would soon lose all he had if he continued his greedy ways. Jiro declared war against the dragons, and the dragons fled from the land, never to be seen again. This caused Doragon to become the only kingdom without a guardian animal.

The elders had had it with Jiro. They held a meeting to deliberate on what to do about him. They concluded that they had to dethrone him. They knew that Jiro wouldn’t come down without a fight and that they didn’t stand a chance against him as long as he had the sword. They made a plan to create a spell that would seal away the sword, so Jiro wouldn’t be able to use it, and then they’d dethrone him and crown another king.

They began making the spell, but it wasn’t long until Jiro found out. Jiro was furious and decided to kill all the elders. Word got to the elders that Jiro was on his way to kill them. They sped up their spell-making process and were almost done when Jiro barged into their chamber.

“Rebelling against your king?” he asked. “You’ll be sorry you did.” With that, Jiro threw a slash of his sword into the air, and a red blade of light flew toward the elders at lightning speed. While this happened, the elders raised their hands in unity and began muttering some mysterious words. A small circle of light began to form until it grew into a big surge of blue light that headed straight for Jiro and his sword in the twinkling of an eye.

The collision between Jiro’s red blade of light and the elders' blue light surge gave birth to a large purple explosion. The force pushed the elders and Jiro away, and a mist occupied the air.

After the mist cleared, the hilt of the sword was seen popping out of a rock with its blade stuck inside and an inscription on the rock:

"Peace will be restored to the world, and Doragon guided into light, by the royal heir destined to draw the sword."

The spell had worked and ever since then, every male child of royal blood who was of age sixteen was given a chance to draw the sword from the rock. He who was able would become the next king and the one to restore peace to the world. Yet till this day, that one had not been found.

The kingdom of Doragon grew weaker and more vulnerable to attacks. Its vassal states rebelled against them, and their fighting strength grew weaker. Their enemies took the opportunity and conquered most of their land. Now Doragon lay defenseless, without their dragons or their sword, Kanjō no ken.

Centuries later…

Hina was running and playing with the flowers in the palace garden. She was a vivacious ten-year-old girl, who never took no for an answer. She suddenly spotted a snail climbing the stem of a flower in the hedges and got closer to watch the scenery. She reached out her hands to grab it but was suddenly distracted by the voice of her mother, the queen, Kenji Haruka, calling her.

“Hina! Hina! Where are you?”

Hina quickly began to run away from the voice; she ducked behind the hedges and silenced her steps as she made her way through the garden. She had managed to escape from the palace this time, so nothing would stop her from exploring. She didn’t like staying inside at all; instead, she wanted to explore the world, but her parents wouldn’t let her, saying it wasn’t safe for a girl to move around like that.

She ran for a while and came to a halt when she almost hit a rock that held a sword inside. Immediately, she knew that this must be the legendary Kanjō no Ken her grandmother had told her about. How come she hadn’t seen it before? She thought. She figured that she had never come this far into the garden before.

She looked around and found no guard in sight. Weird, she thought. With eyes growing wide with enthusiasm and curiosity, she viewed every angle and corner of the rock and came across the inscription and read it. What if I am the destined one? She thought. The urge to attempt to pull the sword out suddenly came over her. She knew that a small gathering was usually held for male children who were of age to pull the sword and such was going to be held for her brother that day. She knew no one would ever let her try and so she motivated herself and decided to seize the opportunity.

She reached out her hand towards the hilt, which was slightly above her head, and stretched herself until she was standing on her tiptoes. She pushed herself further with a groan and finally grabbed the hilt. She gave it her all as she pulled herself backward to draw the sword. The sword came out slightly and in shock, she let go. What just happened? She thought. She did know that drawing out the sword would pull it out, but she hadn’t expected it to come out.

“Oh my gosh! ” She said to herself, “This could change everything. I can restore peace to the world? Mom and Dad would be so proud of me, finally. But I have to be sure of this.”

She scanned the area and saw a block of cement, large enough to elevate her. She was going to try to draw out the sword again. She carried it from where it was to where she had previously stood. It was heavy, but nothing was stopping her.

She stood on the block and reached for the hilt once more. She got a firm grip on it and pulled gently. A harsh, grinding screech pierced through the air as she did this. She successfully drew it out and her heart was pounding with excitement. She held in her hands, the legendary Kanjō no Ken; she didn’t believe that she had just drawn it out. It felt so surreal like she was dreaming.

The sword slowly began to shine a blue light as she watched in amazement.

“Hina!” A loud voice called out.

She was startled and dropped the sword in fear. She turned to the direction of the voice and found her mother standing there, shocked.

“What are you doing?” She said as she rushed to where Hina stood and the sword, whose light had diminished, lay.

“What did you do?” She asked suddenly and it made Hina feel like she had done something wrong.

“I…I…” She stuttered.

“You what?”

“I drew out the sword. I was just…”

“What!” Her mother interrupted with shock and disbelief in her eyes. She, Hina’s mum, picked up the sword, put it back in the rock, and tried to pull it out again, but it didn’t move. “How?” She asked.

Hina reached out her hand to pull it, but her mother stopped her.

“No,” she said. “Don’t. This is great news! Everyone would have to see this.” She pulled Hina’s hand and led her away from the garden and the sword. They got to the palace, and her mother left her with her immediate elder brother, Yuki, who was about twelve. She gave him instructions not to let her out of his sight and went away.

“What did you do this time?” He asked.

“Just my usual.” She wasn’t sure if she should tell him about the sword.

“It seems as though you enjoy getting in trouble. You couldn’t have just let this day slide, could you? Even though it is Sora’s attempt to draw the sword.”

Sora was Hina and Yuki’s older brother, who had turned sixteen a few months ago and would be given the chance to draw the sword that very day.

“Yeah I know,” Hina replied. “ Do you know why there wasn’t any guard at the sword?”

“You went to the sword! Wow! I’m sure you’ll be grounded for a month,” he looked at Hina, who was still awaiting an answer. He continued, “Well, there was an attack near the palace gates. So they needed all men on ground. You know the number of guards and soldiers has decreased over the years. Mum went to look for you when we got the news to get you in safely.” He let out a loud sigh. “We’re still awaiting that destined one. Wonder if I’ll be the one,” he said with a chuckle.

“But if we are so vulnerable, how come the sword hasn’t been stolen all these years?”

“Granny said that some kingdoms had tried and almost succeeded in stealing the sword, but when they tried to lift it, even with the strongest equipment, they weren’t able to. She said it was probably the strongest and heaviest thing in the world. I wonder how Sora will pull that off,” he chuckled again.

She thought back to the moment she had pulled the sword. It wasn’t that heavy.

“Where’s Granny?” She asked

“She’s in the private parlor with Sora. Let’s go there too, you little troublemaker.”

They walked for a while and got to the room where Granny was talking with Sora, but Granny immediately spotted the two and ran to hug Hina.

“Thank God you’re okay.” She kissed her forehead. “Don’t you dare scare us like that again? Don’t run off on your own again, okay?”

“But it is boring in here and who cares if something happens to me; it’s not like I’m going to be queen or anything special.”

Granny looked at her, disappointed. “Don’t say that. You are special to all of us, and you’re our only princess.”

“But being a princess is boring. I want to be an adventurer or a warrior.”

Sora laughed when she said "warrior."

“You are special. Just know it, and maybe, one day, you can achieve that dream of yours.”

“I can?”

“You sure can. I believe you’ve got what it takes; just believe in yourself.”

Once the situation with the attack was settled, Sora was finally given a chance to draw out the sword. The elders and members of the royal family were present. Hina stood next to Granny as they all witnessed Sora give it his all to draw the sword, but it didn’t move an inch. They all left, disappointed yet again, but Hina stood there staring at the rock.

“What’s wrong?” Granny asked.

Hina didn’t answer; rather, she bent toward the inscription on the rock and read it once again. It didn’t specify the gender of the destined one. It made her curious why the chance to pull the sword was only given to the male children.

“Why is it that only the male children get a chance to pull the sword?” Hina asked, “The inscription doesn’t specify the gender of the destined one.”

“Really? It doesn’t?” Granny looked a little bit surprised and went over to read it. “It doesn’t. Well, throughout the existence of Doragon, a male child had always been a ruler, a warrior, and the head of the army. I guess when the inscription was read everyone assumed that the destined one would be a guy, just like it has always been.” She paused and stared at Hina. “Why do you ask? Is something bothering you?”

Hina looked at her grandmother, who had always been her backbone and confidant. She knew that if no one on earth could be trusted by her, her Granny would be an exception. She decided to tell her what had happened earlier that day, but as she was about to talk, her mother suddenly came and said,

“Granny, there is something urgent that needs to be discussed.” She said looking at Granny.

Granny stared at Hina and back at the queen, feeling a little occupied with her unfinished discussion with Hina.

“It’s urgent,” the queen said again to Granny and turned to Hina. “Go to your room and stay there.” She gestured to a guard to escort Hina while Granny followed Hina’s mother after telling Hina that later they’d finish up their discussion.

Hina lay on her bed, trying to figure out how to get out of her room without being seen by the guard. She had a feeling that the urgent meeting was about her drawing out the sword. She knew that the guard stood at the entrance of her room, which was the only way in and out of it, and would check on her every ten minutes. She finally thought of a plan to trick the guard into thinking that she was asleep. She pretended to be asleep for thirty minutes, and after the third time the guard checked on her, she put a giant teddy and a large doll’s head under her blanket to make it look like she was still there.

She snuck out through the window and onto the rooftop that it led to, tiptoed her way to another window, and entered the main hallway, away from the guard. Her parents had tried this before, but she always escaped. She knew that they’d be having the meeting in the small conference room downstairs, so she rushed to the room, stayed behind the door, and listened.

“Are you sure of what you saw?” An elderly voice spoke, probably one of the elders.

“I am sure.” Said the queen.

“That’s impossible!” The king, King Kenji Shota exclaimed.

“Did you see her drawing out the sword?” Another elderly voice asked.

“Well, she was holding it when I came and was the only one there. I guess that counts.” The queen replied.

“It can’t be possible.” The king said. “You’re saying that the one who is to restore peace to the world and the glory of Doragon is a...is a...girl!”

The room grew rowdy until a voice spoke up and silenced the room. It was Granny’s.

“The inscription on the rock never specified the gender of the destined one. That means it could be a girl or a boy; a man or a woman. What does it matter?”

“A woman can’t rule this kingdom. People won’t take her seriously, and besides, we’ve never had a female ruler before.” Said the king.

“We can always teach her and let her understand her responsibility in this kingdom and the world at large.”

“It should be a good thing that the destined one has been found, shouldn’t it?” Said the queen.

“We are taking this too far.” Said an elderly voice. “We’ll have to first find out for ourselves if this is true.”

Granny let out a loud sigh and said, “I’ll go check on her.” Hina heard footsteps approaching and fled to her room the same way she had snuck out. Everything was exactly how she left it, and that meant that her cover hadn’t been blown. She got on her bed and pretended to be asleep just in time to hear the door open and Granny and the guard step in.

“She’s asleep,” Granny said.

“Yes, ma’am, for a couple of minutes now.” The guard said.

“I see. Let me not disturb her then. Take good care of her now.” She said as they both left the room and shut the door behind them.

Hina lay still on her bed, trying to process everything she had heard from them. Don’t they think I am capable? She thought. Shouldn’t they be happy that the long-awaited destined one has been discovered? Why don’t they trust me, I can do this, right? I know I can! I will have to prove them wrong. I’ll start by finding out more about this Kanjō no ken and show 'em what I’m made of.

The next day, the seven elders, the king, and the queen, along with Granny and some guards, gathered around the sword to witness Hina perform this long-awaited miracle. Just as she had done in the past, she drew out the sword, and this left everyone speechless. The look on their faces was priceless. She observed their stunned faces and felt that they had likely wished that what the queen had told them was a lie. Everyone awaited the day the destined one would be found, yet it seemed none was ready for it, coupled with the fact that it was a girl—something they had never dreamed of.

The sword began to glow a blue light gradually as Hina held it, just like it did before only this time it grew brighter and brighter with each passing second until a bright, thick vertical beam of light emerged from it and shot to the sky. It lasted for all of ten seconds, after which it faded away.

“Marvelous!” Exclaimed Granny.

All stood baffled and amazed at this scene. There was silence until Hina spoke, “I know you all don’t trust me with this responsibility, but I want to let you know that I am willing to do all it takes to deliver my job as the destined one effectively. With your help, I know I can do this. I just need you to trust me.”

The environment grew rowdy as the elders discussed this new development. Granny gave Hina a proud smile. She was quite mature for just a ten-year-old girl, Granny thought. Hina felt a small wave of confidence rise from this smile, yet she was slightly discouraged when she heard one of the elders say that she was only ten and didn’t understand. This went on for a while until the king’s voice was heard.

“I am not the only one who thinks that my daughter, Hina, here is unfit and too young for this, right?” Nodding heads in agreement and words of affirmation followed this. The king continued with a mischievous smirk, “Sora, on the other hand, seems like he would make a wonderful king, just like his father, and maybe a fine warrior one day. Don’t you think?” Everyone saw where this was going, and the elders seemed to consider this development. Granny, the queen, and Hina, on the other hand, looked very disappointed at this remark. The king smiled and said, “I mean, Sora can always rule until Hina is old enough—with the sword, that is.”

“Dad!” “Shota!” Exclaimed Hina and Granny simultaneously.

“Darling,” the king said to Hina, “This is all because I…We love you. We don’t want you fighting and hurting yourself. Why don’t you leave this for the capable ones,” he said as he grabbed the sword from her. “Meanwhile, Sora can take care of everything.”

Hina was furious and tried to snatch the sword away from her dad, but he raised it above his head which he knew Hina would not reach.

“You can’t do…” Granny said but was interrupted when the sword suddenly began to vibrate tremendously. It pulled itself away from the king’s palm and flew into Hina’s hands. The vibration ceased, and Hina was pleased by this. It must have been in tune with her feelings and knew what she wanted, just like the legend had said.

“You’re supposed to be my father, Dad. You’re supposed to support me. But why?”

The embarrassed and defeated king, who looked overwhelmed, said, “Something has to be done about this. What will people say? Our enemies will seize this opportunity to conquer us for real this time. This cannot be so.” He stormed off. The elders followed behind, and the queen also, though she initially hesitated to leave. Granny shook her head, visibly disappointed at their actions.

“That didn’t look good,” Hina said. “I thought everyone looked forward to this day.” She let out a sigh. “What if they’re right, and I’m unfit for the task, Granny?”

“No, don’t say that. You are fit for this; I’ve seen it in you. When you were born, a bright blue beam of light shone into the sky from the sword, just as it did now. I have always known since then that you are indeed a special one. This is your destiny—you just have to believe in yourself to achieve it. Do you believe in yourself?”

Hina looked thoughtful for a moment and then said, “Yes, yes, I believe in myself.”

“Very well then. Training starts tomorrow.”

“What?”

Granny was already leaving and laughing as she walked. “Wait for me!” Said Hina as she ran up to Granny, dragging the sword, which was longer than her body. Unknown to them, someone was hiding in the bushes and had overheard and seen everything.

To be continued…