To learn the way of the Sword [Masamune]

[Atlas Kane]

Atrisia
Masamune’s Swordsmith and Training Hall

A man was walking a simple road. He was wearing simple Atrisian-looking robes and a simple straw hat. He had a single weapon with him, a sword on which he rested his left arm while walking. It was attached to his belt and the blade within the sheath was facing upwards, towards the sky. He didn't look like he was here for trouble and those were not his intentions. The road lead to the place where the great swordsman and master swordsmith, Masamune, lived. It was also the place where he taught students who were willing to learn the arts of swordsmithing and of the blade. The man was going there exactly for that reason. He wanted to learn how to become a master of the art of the blade.

After a while of walking, he finally arrived at the entrance to the place. He stopped there and waited. He wasn't sure if he was allowed to just enter or not, but the place didn't look very large, so someone would surely notice him soon. He reached into a small bag he was carrying and pulled out an old flute. Haven’t played on you for a while now, old companion. He thought. Then he sat down, leaned against a piece of wood and started playing a melody on his flute. It was a peaceful and calm melody, reminding him of a time of peace, without war or conflict, but that was all that it was, a melody. In reality there was war and conflict going on all around them, but there were always things like his melody that reminded people of a better time, a time of peace.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

Within the quiet halls
He sat and quietly
Meditated behind the walls
Of paper and wood.

He had felt the coming tread
Of one from far away
As their feet followed the path that lead
To the Swordsmith, Masamune.

Finishing meditations, calm,
Masamune rose from his place
On the floor and, with palms
together, he quietly appeared.

Near the flute player, seated,
Masamune approached quietly.
Many had begged and pleaded
To attend the dojo, but few did.

Few attained oneness with self
And even fewer sought the Bushi way.
Though, perhaps, this one, with help,
Might find the path's beginning.

He waited till the music ceased
And bowed deeply to the other.
With face weathered and creased
He spoke only "I am Masamune."

@[member="Hayato"]

 

[Atlas Kane]

The young man stood up,
Masamune was there,
He bowed deeply,
Which was quite rare.

The young man returned,
This gesture of greeting.
He wanted to learn from the man,
With whom this was the first meeting.

After his bow was done,
The man simply said:
''The path to mastery of the sword,
under your guidance, I would like to tread.''

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

Masamune nodded, his eye
Meeting the other's and
Silently gauged his motives and why
He had come to him.

"I will teach you the way
of the Bushi, child, but
First I shall learn, today,
Of your skill so far."

With that Masamune lifted
A wooden blade from nearby
And handed such to the seemingly gifted
Man before him.

Masamune then turned and stood
In the center of the courtyard.
He stood unarmed and as such he would
Learn of the younger man's skill.

@[member="Hayato"]

 

[Atlas Kane]

The young man took
The blade in his hand.
He would show the master
What of the blade he did understand

He took a couple steps
To not be too far away from the master.
He needed to show him what he could
Or else this would be an disaster.

The man did not know,
If to attack right now or to wait.
He only knew he had to,
Before it was already too late.

So he took some steps closer,
To the master of the sword,
To disgrace himself now,
He could not afford.

When he closed the distance,
That was still between the two,
The blade shot downwards,
It was the best thing to do.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

He saw the blade on the downward strike
and stepped aside, his step light.
He danced aside from the blow's might
So that he was behind and beside the man.

With a casual nod to the other man
He spoke aloud, his voice clear.
"Another strike, if you can.
Follow the footwork below you."

@[member="Hayato"]

 

[Atlas Kane]

Deliver the next strike,
as the master had requested,
the man would try to.
His skills would be attested.

The blade quickly moved
The man turned around,
Not to face the Master, but in a spin.
It was parallel to the ground.

He wanted to surprise
The great master Masamune.
He wanted to begin his training,
hopefully on another day.

Spoiler

The last rhyme is kind of there, but only if you pronounce the name Masamun-ey. Masamun-ey, day, rhymes, right?

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

The lateral strike quickly swung
At the swordsmith's head.
The training duel had just begun
Though the lesson had started long before.

He ducked the blade and slid
Aside and behind the young man.
Masamune then, with sandaled foot, did
Reach out and push the back of Hayato's knee.

Darting away Masamune stood
And faced the young man.
"Remember always that left should
Remain behind right and mind all around."

@[member="Hayato"]

 

[Atlas Kane]

The Master's push to his leg
Made him shrink in size a bit.
He had to kneel, thanks to the pressure.
This battle would be one of the wit.

The Master's words were quite cryptic at first.
It would take the Knight a bit to work out
What the Master meant to say with his words.
It was a lesson though, without a doubt.

Then the Knight knew what he meant.
He placed his right foot in front of the left one,
Just as the Master had told him to.
Then towards the Master, he did run.

He rushed forwards, with intent to hit
The Master, with a single attack,
Which was delivered from above
And speed, it did not lack.

@[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

With agile speed and feline
Grace the sword master
Moved forward, in line
With the incoming strike.

He grabbed the other's hands
Upon the blade they gripped
And used the simple stance
To throw the other over himself.

"To fight with a blade is more
Than just the sword, you see.
It is the one who, at the core,
Wields the weapon, not solely the blade.

A Samurai that fights with
Only his sword will perish
In battle and time to myth
And soon be forgotten.

Learn to fight as one
With blade and body and
Soul until truly none
Can be bested all together."

@[member="Hayato"]

 

[Atlas Kane]

The sudden move that was made
On part of the sword Master,
Surprised by his sudden movement.
It was a complete disaster.

The young man didn't think
That the Master was this good.
But Masamune could defeat people
Easier than anyone he knew could.

So Hayato tried to follow his lesson,
Since it seemed to have truth to it.
So he got back up and turned around
To face the man he could not outwit.

Two steps closer to the man
And the Jedi was close enough.
To strike forward and try to hit
The master, which would be tough.

Though now Hayato could feel,
The blade as if it was his arm.
He was sure in his movements
And he hoped the strike would do no harm.

[member="Masamune Tametomo"]

 

[Masamune Tametomo]

He saw the blade in the air
As it whistled towards him.
A twist, a dash, and no longer there
Was the swordsmith Masamune.

He turned from the blade
And, as calm as a tree
Set deep, deep in the glades
Of Atrisia, stepped from the strike.

A simple push he gave
To the other swordsman
To unbalance the brave
Man and send him to the ground.

"Focus, concentrate, think,
But don't think and you shall learn.
React with training, link
Yourself to your sword, this is the way."

[member="Hayato"]