Chapter 1 - Invasion

Mitsumi's legs walked faster than they would normally. She had to get to Kenji, and she had quite a distance to walk. She couldn't get into avoidable fights, she couldn't slow down, and she absolutely couldn't stop. For anything.

The ground suddenly got darker, though there weren't many clouds in the sky. Looking up to the sun, Mitsumi felt absolute terror for the first time since she'd arrived in Asmana. A huge, white missile hung in the sky. Huge propellers were at the back, pushing it forwards with surprising speed. 

But that wasn't the scariest part. The scariest part was that Mitsumi recognized the airship. It was none other than the Emperor's flagship. The Honour of Nakimuto. 

They'd invaded Asmana. 

They were being foolish. Mitsumi hadn't been in the land that long, but she knew that the Emperor's forces would be obliterated. Asmanans were born and bred warriors, while the soldiers of Nakimuto were just that: Soldiers.

Mitsumi began heading to the ship, knowing that if Nakimuto invades another realm, all citizens must return and report their situation or the status of their missions. She found herself crossing into the North-Western section of the realm, almost dangerously close to the Hunter's Proving Ground. 

As she approached closer, something golden from above caught her attention. Gold-painted steel tubes fused into an aircraft descended in front of her and a soldier stepped out, holding a sword to Mitsumi's throat. The chestplate on her steel armour was bronze-painted, meaning she was a B-Rank soldier. Not the most dangerous, but she had more than a few years of service to speak of.

"Mitsumi Takehoshu." the mother said without preamble. The soldier stowed her sword away and the mother walked around the craft before getting in next to her.

She pressed a button and turned a switch; the two rotors above the two began to spin. Looking behind her, Mitsumi also saw the rotor on the tail was spinning. There was a definite wind blowing all around them. Mitsumi was slightly worried her hair would blow into the rotors and get trapped.

"Hold onto something." The soldier advised her. Mitsumi gripped the side of the craft tightly and she lifted a lever upwards. 

The sudden feeling of ascension was both exhilarating and terrifying. It only lasted for a half-minute or so, but Mitsumi had a lot of trouble getting out of the craft and onto the ship afterwards. She stepped onto the docking bay and gripped the railing tightly. She shook her head side to side to clear it, but that just caused another unpleasent feeling to arise in her stomach...

"The Emperor is waiting for you in the throne room. Just go straight ahead from here." The soldier informed her.

"Certainly. But one moment, please." Mitsumi requested.

She staggered over to the railing, bent over it and BLEURGH. The foul yellow spewed from her stomach and her head was spinning like crazy. The soldier was chuckling silently. Mitsumi had never flown before, and she wasn't in a hurry to do it again. Another two loads of vomit protruded from her mouth, but her head felt a little clearer afterwards. She stepped back from the railing, made sure none had gotten on her battlesuit, then walked inside the ship, still wobbling a little.

She walked through the thin corridors, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Every soldier she came across looked at her with contempt in their eyes. There were 7 ranks in the Nakimuton army, reflecting the belief that 7 was a lucky number: Copper, Iron, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Diamond. Mitsumi wasn't a soldier-she was still a citizen. But she got the feeling the hateful looks she got were for another reason. In any case, she was glad to reach the throne room, where two D-rank soldiers allowed her entry.

The Emperor was over 80, but he looked 50. His hair was barely grey, his skin was not mottled or wrinkly and he had the muscles of a D-rank soldier. The rumours of how he stay looking so young had half of Nakimuto convinced he was a demigod. Mitsumi was never convinced by this, however.

"So you at least know to come to my flagship when invasion goes forth. That is some comfort at least. Your report, Takehoshu?" The Emperor asked.

The mother began "Sir, before I report, I must advise you against-"

"I asked you a question." The Emperor interrupted.

Mitsumi tried again. "Emperor, I must-"

"Enough!" He barked. Mitsumi knew not to pursue the issue.

"I have not yet executed my son, Sir." Mitsumi told him.

"I see. Is there a viable reason for this?" He asked.

"The locals found out I intended to kill him and began to hunt me. Progress was stopped while I laid low, avoiding the guards." Mitsumi answered truthfully.

"These Asmanans have a strange idea of justice." The Emperor mused. "In any case, you got sloppy. I should have expected as much from a woman. You have until we win this war to find and kill him. If you fail, the rest of your family will die, and you will never be allowed back in Nakimuto."

"If you win this war." Mitsumi muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing, sir." Mitsumi replied "I will proceed with Kenji's execution as soon as I have located him."

"Luckily for you, my hidden agents have already reported that he is heading to Bluegrass from Duskdawn." Seeing the incredulous look on Mitsumi's face, he smugly smiled "I have had them here for years, tracking Kenji's movements and gathering intelligence for this invasion. I informed them that he is your kill, but to execute him themselves if you fell. Now, enough speak. You have his location, you have your mission. Now go."

Knowing she was dismissed, and wanting to get as far away from him as possible anyway, Mitusmi took her leave with a shorter bow than usual. She was already dreading going into that flying contraption again...