Tomoko Shimokaze

Summary
Tomoko is a daughter of a small a daimyō, who grew from a frail but determined child into a respected warrior and a cunning commander. Her achievements were noted by the member of the elite group serving the Emperor directly, called Tennō Guntai. She was invited to become part of it, however, she found herself to be an outcast among the people who thrive behind the tall walls of Kyuden while their soldiers die in dirt and misery on the frontlines. Offended by the leader of the Tennō Guntai, Tomoko accepted his challenge. In a short, but heated duel she emerged victorious, killing her former leader. The Emperor, dissatisfied by her transgressions, sentenced her to a brutal execution. However, that exectuion never took place, since Tomoko was freed by her old friend, who also happened to be a recruiter for the growing Blackstone legion.

After she left Myre in search of the Blackstone legion, her life became an enigma, covered in mysteries. However, her allegiance to Blackstone remains indisputable.

Early years
Tomoko was born in a Josei prefecture in a family of a local daimyō. The Josei Code of Laws dictated that every child, no matter the gender or the wealth and power of their parents should be taught the art of war. Tomoko's father found the best teachers available, using his limited but still sufficient influence.

Tomoko found no struggle in studying arts, literature and languages. To everyone's surprise she learned the language of Ashfeld dwellers almost as fast and as well as the language of her people. However, the art of war itself presented an almost insurmountable challenge. Her sensei insisted that she should be trained to use the bow and naginata because of her less than imposing stature, but Tomoko took it as an insult and instead chose the fierce and cumbersome nodachi.

Every day of training was a day of torture. Every excercise, every form, every stance and every strike were not easily performed, both destroying her frail body and rebuilding it a new. With each day pain and fatigue grew bigger and bigger, but so grew her strength and resolve.

Josei prefecture was located very close to the frontline of the War, the War that has lasted as long as the world itself. Tomoko never got used to seeing Myre troops pass through her town to come back only as stories of their utter defeat. She knew that one day she will have to pick up arms and give her life to protect her home, her people and their way of life from the warmongering Iron Legion. She knew that one day she and her warriors will march towards the land of Knights. She had to make sure that they come back to tell the story of their success themselves.

Adulthood
Despite everyone's expectations and predictions, Tomoko grew to become a fierce warrior. Her skill with the blade, her dexterity in combat and her cunning mind grew to the point, where she was not a student anymore, but a teacher to the fresh recruits. Both of her compassion and her resolve gained her a lot of respect among the future soldiers. However, their training was never properly finished.

Ashfeld troops were spotted dangerously close to the Josei. Scouts reported that those troops were not reconaissance, but in fact heavy knights with proper siege equipment. Josei was a town with no strong fortifications; Ashfeld forces could easily seize the town which no doubt would result in a massacre.

Tomoko could not allow that to happen. She rallied her troops, despite the fact that they were still green and not properly trained recruits and they left the town in a daring attempt to cripple and postpone the attack, while Josei gathers reinforcements.

Days passed. Allies from Chojo and Akina Shikiri united with remaining Josei troops and were ready to repell the Ashfeld siege. To their surprise, it was not an Ashfeld banner they saw emerging from the woods, but it was Josei family insignia in the hands of Tomoko. Everyone knew, that Ashfeld troops were not just crippled; They were utterly destroyed. What was to be a battle for her home town resulted in a huge celebration for those who seized the day and those who gave their lifes to protect their home.

Among the Chojo troops was a famous swordsman - Hagane Shino, a member of Tennō Guntai, Emperor's most prized and prominent commanders. Impressed by Tomoko's bravery and skill, he offered her to become a new member of Tennō Guntai.

Tennō Guntai
"'Why was I chosen? I am young, unexperienced and I am yet to see the true face of war. Yes, I was ready to give my life and lifes of my warriors to defend what is ours, but this trait is not exactly uncommon among our ranks... Is it?'""To her surprise, Hagane let out a loud laugh, stopping occasionally to slap his knee just to laugh anew.""'Just wait and see, girl. Just wait and see.'"  Becoming one of the Tennō Guntai was not an easy task. Every each member of these legendary warriors looked down on Tomoko and constantly mocked her lack of combat experience. Despite the fact, the she got an official invitantion and underwent a pompous ceremony, every strategical decision made among the group ignored her input. At first, she did not take it as an offense: she still had much to learn the ways of waging a big-scale war. She did not want her opinion to cost the lives of thousands.

Weeks passed, followed by months, however her standing with Tennō Guntai members did not improve, unlike her abilities to strategize. With every each meeting, she noticed more and more obvious mistakes, she noticed how easily it was for the commanders to waste the lifes of their subordinates.

Being unable to stay silent no longer, she went to the only friend she had in the Kyuden.

Hagane's kind words have inspired her, but his revelation of the true state of things have struck horror in her heart: how long has it been since she have seen her home? Is it her duty now, to sit here, at Kyuden and count losses like you count animals in your herd? Is there anything she can do to change it, and if there is, should she abandon her post to follow her true calling?

She could not answer those questions for sure even if she had all the time in the world.

Last days in Myre
"Tomoko spotted one of her sergeants approaching her. She has never seen him that worried before.""'My lady, I mean no disrespect, but your warriors are getting restless' young man stopped for a second, thinking about what he is going to say next. 'How are we meant to protect our land if we are stationed here, as far away from the War as possible?'""'No offense taken, Iwojin. I shall visit them personally to deal with unrest,' Tomoko tried to hide her concern behind a nervous smile. 'I think our time in Kyuden is running short. Something is bound to happen soon. It has too.'"Big celebration has come to Kyuden - the Emperor's Day. Generals of great renown, fabled swordsmen, old clans and rich citizen poured into the Kyuden Stronghold to take part in the festivities that Kyuden Citadel had to offer that day. At the very top of the castle, the Emperor himself was having a feast with his most trusted and prized warriors - the famous Tennō Guntai."'What's troubling you, Hagane? Is there a matter you wish to discuss in a presence of our most heavenly Emperor?'""The old leader of Tenno Guntai, Naofumi, leaned closer to Hagane.""'Today is the day of a big celebration, Old Wolf. You and your men did a splendid job pushing the cowardly knights back into hiding behind their stone walls. Emperor is very pleased with your victories, so there is no need to trouble yourself today...'""Hagane put his hands on the table, almost slamming it in the presence of the Emperor, and interrupted his commander:""'Where is Tomoko, Naofumi?'""'This again? You know like anyone else here that she is not worthy to bathe in the presence of our most revered Emperor. We sent her and her men on a stable duty: someone has to watch the horses of our most respected guests, it would be a shame if something happened to these majestic creatures.'""Hagane took a deep breath and took his hands off the table. Everyone in the room could tell that he was beyond furious, despite his best attempts to hide it.""'You have pushed it too far, Naofumi.'" The twin dragons etched on a dining hall doors loudly moaned and slowly parted ways. Behind the doors in a dim light stood a woman in a shoddy kimono, holding a gleaming blade on her shoulder. On the floor beside her a couple of injured house guards silently spewed insults and curses at her.

Everyone beside the table stood up, the sound of unsheathed steel interrupted the feast. Only Hagane remained motionless."'Explain yourself!' commanded Naofumi.""'My name is Tomoko Shimokaze, I am a daughter of Hisao Shimokaze, the daimyo of Josei. I am a protector of Josei and her people. Me and my warriors were ready to give our lives to protect our homes, our families and our future. My resolve and my training brought us victory when the rogue knights assembled their forces around Josei. That's why I am here, to participate in feast with the Emperor of Myre as an honorable member of Tenno Guntai.'""'Over my dead body!' Naofumi hissed in response."The sound of clapping attracted everyone's attention. Young Emperor slowly stood up from his adorned throne and clapped again."'Excellent! I could not imagine that this joke of a feast could be saved even if the best entertainers in the world combined their efforts to make it at least somewhat bearable. But you, my dear,' The Emperor pointed at Tomoko with his palm, 'you managed to bring joy to my heart! Everyone, move out the way, we should not postpone this bloodshed any longer!'"

Tomoko looked around her, perplexed and confused, as servants moved the dining tables and velvet pillows away from the middle of the hall. The rest of the Tennō Guntai members stood in a complete silence, their weapons drawn and ready to strike.

Tomoko took a closer look at Naofumi: old, frail, but unlike her he was clad in a ceremonial armor. His movements, however, were clumsy and unsure."'He is disgustingly drunk,' a thought crossed Tomoko's head, 'we are both walking straight into the grave.'"

All preparations were made, the dining hall was now ready to host a duel instead. The Emperor stood in the middle, taking off his kakuobi; Beside him Tomoko and Naofumi steeled themselves in the face of the upcoming battle.

"'The moment this kakuobi touches the ground be ready to slit each others throats! I will tolerate no mercy this day!' Emperor proclaimed eagerly."

Kakuobi flew into the air, capturing every gaze and every gasp in the room. Servants covered in fear; The Emperor nervously shuffled at the edge of his seat; Warriors brandished their blades; Hagane quietly sat in the corner, making sure not a single detail escapes his sight.

Kakuobi hit the floor. Naofumi sprung to life and bolted towards Tomoko, dragging his katana across the floor. Tomoko assumed a defensive stance and quickly met him with a thrusting attack. Weaving as a snake, old samurai easily avoided her nodachi and retaliated with a quick horizontal slash, immediatly followed up with the second one, catching Tomoko off guard. Hastily parrying the first attack, she barely managed to duck under the second one only to be met with an armored knee to the face.

World suddenly flashed with bright lights, then it immediatly sunk into darkness, followed by awful pain. Tomoko found herself falling, her numb limbs being unable to hold her unconscious body.

"'This is war,' her voice echoed in her mind, 'survival is your responsibility.'"

Senses returned as quickly as they left. In a frantic attempt Tomoko readjusted herself and fell on her back, guarding herself with nodachi. Naofumi's katana, to his surprise, licked her blade instead of her neck. Confused, he quickly retreated a couple steps back, allowing Tomoko to get up from the floor.

Wasting no time, Tomoko lunged at Naofumi, her blade raised hight into the air.

"'Useless!' cried Naofumi and met her attack with an upward slash, but Tomoko has already slipped out of his view."

With a nimble sidestep, Tomoko managed to flank her opponent. A daring pirouette; she flew into the air, putting all her might, fury and grudges in a singular strike, landing her nodachi right on his shoulder.

A nasty sound of cut flesh reached everyone's ears, followed by a faint moan and a sound of dropped katana. Nodachi went right through his shoulderpads, cutting his shoulder and going all the way down to his waist, revealing his naked flesh and gushing blood to the fascinated Emperor.

Anger. Disgust. Fear. Emotions changed one another like horrors in a feverish nightmare. Tomoko pulled out her blade from a lifeless corpse of her former captain. With a wet splash and a gasp of the frightened servants, Naofumi's life came to the end."'Yes! Yes! You sick little wench, yes!' Emperor eagerly jumped off his throne. 'So much blood, you almost cut him in half you... You monster! My sick, beautiful monster!'"Emperor quickly ran towards her, encasing her in his arms. Tomoko thought she was about to throw up."'My heavenly Emperor, what happens now?' Hagane drew everyone's attention. 'Tomoko...'"Emperor violently pushed Tomoko away."'This bitch is to be flayed in the morning. Make sure all our guests are present for the execution.'"Tomoko felt the ground slipping from under her feet. She quickly sat down, while her death sentence reverberated in her head. Utter horror swallowed her whole. Air became to thick to inhale, arms too heavy to move, reality too difficult to comprehend."'But Your Highness...' Hagane quickly rushed to Tomoko's side.""'Shut your dirty mouth and get that fucking stinking corpse out of my dining hall, you imbeciles.' Emperor hysterically cried. 'Move your worthless bodies unless you want to join her when the sun rises!'"Hagane grabbed Tomoko's hand and she immediately clinged to him as the guards surrounded them. Dazed and terrified, she could only stare into the abyss that was her future in his hands while the guards escorted them to her cell.

Escape
"'I am here not to judge you, kid. I am here to ask forgiveness. I brought here, into the snake's nest hoping that I could raise you to become a proper substitute for those old fools... I was wrong.' She could not hear him approach. Hagane stood outside of her cell visibly uncomfortable and worried."Tomoko sat in the far corner of the cell. Engulfed by looming dread, she remained motionless, hugging her knees even tighter, as if trying to merge and dissipate in surrounding darkness."'You were insulted. You fought back. For the right to be who you have become. For honor, both yours and your family's. You fought in a fair fight with one of the swordsmen out there, maybe even the best. And you came out on top.'"Hagane heard a quiet sigh. He saw Tomoko slowly raising her had, but her face was still obscured to make out her expression."'I am Tomoko. A traitor. To be brutally executed at the sunrise for the entertainment of others. I could have killed the Emperor, you know. He was so close, so vulnerable... Leave me alone if you don't want to share my fate.'""'Your former comrades from Tennō Guntai were ordered to protect your cell, kid. Guess where they are now? Quarelling with each other about who is going to inherit the leadership of the group.'""'Then why are you here?' Tomoko crawled out of the shadows. Her eyes sparkled with a faint glimmer of hope and Hagane could not be more relieved after seeing that.""'Because you are leaving Kyuden tonight and I am here to say goodbye.' Hagane opened a cell door. Tomoko did not waste any time and immediately flew out from the cell, instinctively hiding behind Hagane's back. 'I brought fresh clothes, minimal supplies and your blade. And, also, this...' Hagane handed her an old, torn, but oddly familiar roll of fabric. A skull and a foreign helmet, separated with a knightly sword were etched on it. 'I believe you brought it back after that battle for Josei. Go back there, and then head straight to the west, into the land of Knights. As soon as you meet them, show this banner to them. They will know what to do next. And whatever happens after that, know this one thing...' Hagane looked her straight into the eyes and put his hands on her shoulders, 'You are a wolf now. Fierce and merciless. Independent from the influence of sheep and doing your part for the good of the pack. Go now. Make me proud again.'""Tomoko remained motionless for a while, desperately trying to process what is happenning.""'Come with me, Hagane' she silently whispered. 'This place will eat you alive, sooner or later. You will either find yourself in this same cell or you will turn into one of them.'""'I can't, Tomo' he pulled his eyes away from her and stared into the floor. 'You are not the only lost wolf in need of guidance.'"

Epilogue
What exactly happened to Tomoko after her exodus from the Myre remains a mystery. Some claim she perished on her way to the Ashfeld from disease, others claim that she was captured by the Emepror's troops and brought to justice for her transgression. There are also witnesses of a samurai, brutal and merciless, storming alongside Apollyon into the imperial palace of Koto. Some even claim, that the Emperor's life was cut short but their hands, but to believe these stories or not is all up to you.