Blades gleamed in the darkness.

The dull, metallic sound of swords clashing echoed from the forms of several people locked in combat beneath the light of a naked bulb in a deserted alleyway.

A few were clad in armor, wielding rusted swords. Facing them were two men.

Another flash of blades.

Torn armor fell away, exposing the white bones of a skeleton. A skull glared menacingly from beneath the helmet.

“Dono!”

The younger man thus addressed raised his sword overhead.

His diagonal slash beheaded the skeletal warrior. It stood dully for a moment before unraveling and crumbling soundlessly to the ground.

The youth panted, his eyes alight.

Another of the skeletal warriors was struck down. The older man, clad in a suit, sprinted to the young man’s side. Standing back to back, the two men glared at the warriors.

“Kojuurou. Their numbers are too numerous.”

“I will get their attention. When an opportunity arises, Dono—”

“Thou wouldst have me flee? Do not say such foolish things.” Cold sweat trickled down the young man’s brow. “Fleeing from these minions of the Mogami would be a smear on the name of the King of the OushuuMutsu-no-kuni (陸奥国)

Also known as: Oushuu (奥州)

The largest province of ancient Japan, situated in northern Honshuu, which was ruled by various clans during the Sengoku, including the Uesugi, Nambu, and Date. It was divided into the prefectures of Fukushima, Miyagi, Iwate, and Aomori..”

“Dono!”

“Kojuurou. We shall break through.”

He altered his familiar grip on the sword. The slight tilt of the sword-points of their opponents was a peculiarity stemming from the fact that they could use nothing but their eyes.

Kojuurou also shifted his stance in order to protect his lord. The warriors began to advance. The two sides clashed in furious battle. There were ten—no, twenty of the warriors against the beleaguered two!

A sword pierced Kojuurou’s right arm.

“Kojuurou!”

Kicking a warrior away, the young man took Kojuurou’s place in the battle. But more of the skeletal warriors advanced, another and another joining the attack. Though deeply wounded, Kojuurou also continued to fight furiously. But they were gradually driven back.

“Dono! Please run now!”

“Don’t count me out! I am not running away!”

Just then.

Another voice came from the alleyway.

“Dono—!”

“! ...Shigezane?!”

A number of men fought their way through from behind, cutting a swath through the crowd of skeletal warriors. But one of them had closed upon the young man from the back in his moment of relief.

“! Dono!”

The youth spun reflexively, and the warrior swung his long sword down from overhead.

Fresh blood spouted from his right eye.

“Donooo!!”