main index Narrative
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Chapter Two: It Was A Gift.“(What’ll it be Tenchi? Throw me a strike and strike me out? Or throw again to walk? But be warned, you’re a hundred years too early to think you can win this easily)” mocked Mat while in the batter’s box.“(HA HA HA HA HA! You stab me Mathias, do you really think you can hit my throws?)” Tenchi sneered.Tenchi wound up the pitch and threw it towards the plate. Mat readied his bat and gave a mighty swing. *Crack!* The bat connected and sent the ball flying. It flew up and up until it came back down. Mat ran as fast as he could towards first base when all of a sudden…
”Caught it! You’re out Mat!” Sam called out. \\ “What?...Gragh!” Mat muttered as he dropped to the ground in embarrassing frustration. \\“I’ll give you this Mat, you might be able to hit my pitching, but you can’t ever beat Sammy’s catching!” Tenchi said. “By my count now that makes the third time you’ve flied out this week.” “Well at least I can prove you really are a hundred years too early to be outpitching me!” Mat replied as the three finished their game. Baseball was always a good way to have fun in a summer like 2466. That year was hot, the three had grown big and strong, and finding something fun was always on their mind. This was especially true since Master Yamanaka had been reclusive of late. Playing outside had kept their worries away but it had been nagging them more and more with every passing day. Today’s game had kept them occupied for much of the day itself until they returned home. They entered to find Matsui waiting for them. “Finally coming out eh Master? I hope your vacation went well in there. Because you’ve been there for so long.” Mat joked. “Mat, you need to learn not to explain the joke.” Tenchi said sarcastically. Mat groaned in frustration, raised his pointer at Tenchi and said. “(One day Tenchi you too will learn that humor has more than one way of showing!)”To which Tenchi replied "(And one day Mathias you too will learn sarcasm!)” The two glanced at each other, squared away ready to go to blows when…“Ahem!” The two looked at Matsui. “Are you two done yet?” The two immediately faced Matsui, bowed and apologized. “Well if that’s settled, you two need to come with me, I have something ready for you.” All four went to Matsui’s workshop in the yard. Matsui opened the door and they walked in and knelt in front of the altar near the furnace.“(It’s been a long time to make these my sons, but they shall serve you well.)” Matsui said.It was at this moment that Mat saw something he hadn’t in many years. Along the walls of the workshop were examples of various swords seen throughout history, all of which created in the traditional fashion and all of which accurate. From Chinese jian, to Japanese katana and more they hung decoratively from wall to wall. Both Mat and Tenchi knew that Matsui was an accomplished metallurgist, and that he was the leading authority on a new alloy called Invincium. Invincium itself is practically indestructible towards blunt force, corrosion, wear, and even bending. It is lightweight, yet exceptionally durable and its silvery-blue hue makes for an interesting shine. Only a few people in the galaxy knew much of anything about Invincium including how to make it, but Matsui was the best at it. Almost every single sword in the shop was made from this alloy. It occurred to Mat at this time the katana he saw when Matsui faced Eddy all those years ago was a sword made in here. Before he could say anything Matsui continued.“(My skill with metal has made a great gift for such talented ones as yourself, for in this room lies the greatest of my creations and the legacy of the sword. The sword itself is a warrior’s companion and guide toward the true warrior’s path. But none should ever take path of the warrior blindly, for it like revenge and honor is not a straight path. It’s a forest, a forest to where it is all too easy to become lost and losing yourself in such a forest will lead you only to a horrible fate.)”Matsui reached into a box near one of the walls and produced a bundle of 3 swords. 2 of which the kodachi, were Japanese intermediate swords typically worn by samurai as companion weapons, but also as a merchant’s weapon as well. The third the traditional katana was the sword most associated with the samurai. He set the kodachi pair over to his left in front of where Tenchi knelt. He set the katana over to his right in front of Mat.“(It is these swords that I give to you as your guides along the path of the warrior. For you Tenchi, I have crafted these swords to match your style and skills. Whether you use one with both hands or one in each hand, they will serve you well forever after.)”Tenchi stood with a serious yet appreciative look on his face. “(Thank you Master, thank you very much)”Matsui then handed the pair with both hands to Tenchi who himself took them in the same fashion. Lifting the katana up and reaching for Mat, Matsui said“(This sword is best fit for one such as you young Mathias. Your skill and your place as a protector deserves a blade of this kind. May it serve you well and protect those around you just as you yourself do.)”Like before, Matsui handed the katana to Mat. “(Thank you Master, I shall see it so)” he replied.Matsui then continued “(May these tools serve you both well in whatever destiny you make, for I tell you this with no ego. These are the best swords I have ever created. The best ever to have been made with that ‘steel’. If ever on your path you should encounter God, God shall be cut!)”Mat and Tenchi both looked at their new swords and drew them. The silvery-blue hue of Invincium shone from the light of the workshop and let them know just what they had. Sheathing their new swords they rose, bowed and left. Before Matsui left the workshop he turned over to Samantha. “I know this comes as a change for you, but those two really deserve those swords. Ever since you and Mathias came here I have come to consider you as family. You’re like a daughter to me and your brother like a son. Their futures are not meant to be mundane and neither is yours. But consider this the ‘shield’ that shall join you three together.” Matsui produced a delicately ornate golden locket. “Even warriors have families they protect, and that protection goes both ways. The family protects the true warrior in battle, to ensure he can strive to defeat his enemies and return to those he loves. Wherever you take your future, know that the bond you have with them will protect them on their futures as well. In more ways than you might know…” Samantha took the locket, hugged and kissed Matsui for the gift. “Thank you Master, thank you so much!”
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