Yuki woke up painfully, every muscle in his body protesting against the slightest movement. He was still in the temple, the flickering torchlight barely illuminating the walls. His memories came back to him in painful waves. The fight… Benkeï… the clone… And suddenly, he remembered that he might still be in danger.
But something was off. His wounds had been treated, and his bandages carefully renewed. Who had done this?
"Feeling better, Yuki?" asked a soft voice that echoed through the oppressive silence of the temple.
Yuki sat up, startled, his eyes scanning the room.
"Who’s there?" he demanded, his tone pressing.
"Oh, how rude of me! I’m not used to having guests, you see," the voice replied with an almost amused lightness. "Wait just a moment…"
Yuki, disoriented and frustrated, clenched his fists.
"Show yourself!" he shouted.
Suddenly, a soft light filled the room, spreading throughout the temple. Squinting, Yuki saw a feminine figure emerge from the shadows. She approached slowly, her features becoming clearer with each step, until the light revealed a young woman of breathtaking beauty.
Yuki, stunned, stared at her. His mind, still muddled by the recent events, couldn’t comprehend what he was seeing.
"Who are you?" he stammered. "An angel? Did I fall in my duel with Benkeï?"
The woman laughed, her voice crystalline and light.
"Well, I’m both offended that you don’t recognize me and flattered that you think I’m an angel!" she joked.
Yuki frowned, his confusion deepening. He studied her face more closely, trying to understand why her voice and appearance seemed so familiar.
"And I must say, you were very brave against Benkeï!" she continued with a smile. "Without your injury, I’m sure you would have beaten him!"
It was at that moment that her smile struck Yuki like lightning. That smile… it couldn’t be.
"Hiromi?" he murmured, his voice trembling with emotion, a tear sliding down his cheek.
"Yes, it’s me, General Yuki," she replied, her smile radiant.
Yuki was dumbfounded. Words failed him. He had spent twelve years believing she was dead, murdered by Benkeï.
"But... how?" he stammered. "You were killed by Benkeï... Twelve years ago..."
Before she could answer, Benkeï appeared at the temple entrance, carrying a basket full of fruit. Yuki immediately reached for his sword, but his body was still too weak to move.
"Run, Hiromi!" Yuki shouted in panic.
Hiromi placed a soothing hand on his shoulder.
"Rest, soldier," she whispered gently. Benkeï isn’t who you think he is…
Benkeï, smiling peacefully, sat cross-legged in front of Yuki, who continued to watch him with fear and confusion.
"It’s good to see you again, Yuki," Benkeï said in a friendly tone. "And I see you’ve become a general! That surprises me, given that you never liked violence, preferring adventure and safe exploration. Still, congratulations."
"Don’t speak to me, traitor!" Yuki retorted with disdain.
Benkeï smiled sadly.
"Yes, I understand your anger, boy. And I apologize for our first meeting at the temple... I merely wanted to see the man you had become. And I must say, you impressed me. What martial prowess! he exclaimed sincerely. You would have made a formidable royal guard."
Hiromi burst out laughing and gently teased Yuki. "And I can’t believe you still fell for the clone trick, even after twelve years!"
But Yuki remained silent, his mind swirling with questions.
Benkeï’s smile faded as he adopted a more serious tone.
"What happened twelve years ago..." he began softly.
Hiromi’s playful smile vanished immediately, and she lowered her eyes. Both seemed lost in painful memories.
"Your father, Zhao, is a man of war, Benkeï continued. Under King Xin’s reign, he held a vision completely opposite to that of the king. Zhao dreamed of industrialization, conquest, and wealth, while Xin championed stability among nations, peace between social classes, and harmony within the kingdom. That peace, although precious, deeply irritated Zhao."
Yuki listened intently, a mixture of confusion and anger on his face.
"Zhao had been waiting for years, secretly preparing his coup, and on the night of the betrayal, he struck. He conspired with the wealthy to seize power, promising riches and glory to those who followed him. When the king and his loyalists were attacked, the royal guard, outnumbered, fought valiantly. But the battle quickly turned in Zhao’s favor. The king, realizing all was lost, ordered me to flee with Hiromi."
Benkeï paused, the pain evident on his face.
"I refused at first, not wanting to break my oath as a royal guard. But the king begged me, and with a heavy heart, I obeyed, leaving behind my comrades and my king. It was my greatest shame. The demon tattoo, the one you saw on my back, appeared that night, etched into my flesh as a reminder of my dishonor."
Yuki, breathing heavily, watched Benkeï in silence. He searched for signs of deceit, but everything seemed… sincere.
"Since then, Hiromi and I have lived in this temple, hidden from sight. I taught her everything I knew about the way of fire. We made this place seem haunted, scaring off curious travelers with screams and illusions. It allowed us to survive in peace."
Benkeï gave a sad smile.
"That’s why I’m here, Yuki. To protect Hiromi. And, in a way, to redeem myself."
Still in shock, Yuki turned to Hiromi, searching her eyes for answers. She nodded gently.
"Everything he says is true, Yuki. I was there, I saw it all that night."
Yuki took a deep breath before asking the question that burned in his mind.
"And... my mother?"
Hiromi and Benkeï lowered their eyes, avoiding his gaze. Hiromi spoke in a broken voice.
"Your mother… she was loyal to my father, to King Xin. And she shared the same fate as the others…"
Yuki felt a wave of nausea rise in him. His fists clenched as rage and grief consumed him. "I can’t believe this..." he thought, his stomach turning.
The heavy silence that followed was broken by Hiromi, who approached Yuki and wrapped her arms around him. A tender gesture, full of compassion. A gesture that only deepened Yuki’s confusion and despair, torn between his quest for vengeance and the revelations that had just turned his world upside down.
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