Akashi's POV :

It was dark.My eye lids felt heavy. I felt an excruciating pain on my left shoulder, while my legs trembled. I found myself on the ground, broken and in pain. My sword was thrown off at a distance out of my reach. 

I could hear screams and the sound of swords clashing. 

I forced my eyes open and he stood right in front of me, smirking. 

" Is that all you've got? Prince of Rakuzan ? " he mocked.

I tried my hardest to sit up, but failed. He chuckled darkly, 

" You are an eyesore.Such a shame. You don't deserve to be a king, so die in peace. "

With that being said, he swung his sword at me.

----

Is this all? Am I going to loose here? Am I that weak?

Am I just going to let this wicked king of Kyoto conquer my Kingdom too? 

His army is too vast. He is strong. But, I'm Akashi Seijuro ,  The Prince of Rakuzan . I cannot give up. Not here. 

My Kingdom needs me. My father believed in me.... 

' Don't worry my king, I will handle everything. ' 

' I trust u son. '

I promised him that I would win this war no matter what. I'm not quitting. Not in a million years. 

------

I snapped back to reality. As he swung his blade at me, I raised my sheild to block him and pushed him back with all the left over strength I had. I forced myself up and pulled out a dagger from my side, and stabbed him right through his chest .

I watched as it pierced through his flesh, and he let out a cough.

He lay on the ground, broken and bloody, unable to continue. Slowly and with effort, I stood up and noticed that the whole army was frozen. They all stood still, and watched me as I reached for  Rakuzan's flag and held it up in the air. 

Everybody dropped their swords and sheilds. They all clenched their fists and placed their right fist over their chest, and kneeled before the flag that I held up in the air.

At last it was over. No longer would this terror and fear haunt my people. There was no threat. We were safe. We won the war. The relief rushed through me, and I finally collapsed in exhaustion. 

I HAD BEATEN HIM.

This time i let my eyes close, and that's the last thing I remember. 

---

I woke up to the smell of jasmine and mint. I immediately recognized the scent. It was Mother. 

I could hardly bring myself to open my eyes and look. My body felt weak and fragile. I smiled at how weak I was, and she seemed to notice immediately. 

" Sei? "

" Hn.. " i slowly opened my eyes and met a pair of red eyes looking at me with so much affection and love. 

" you are awake! I thought I lost you. " a tear slipped from her eye, as she wrapped her arms around my laid form in an attempt to hug me. 

I placed my right hand on her back and tried to comfort her. That's when I realized that I couldn't move my left. Let alone move, I couldn't even feel it in the first place. 

Mother pulled back, and my gaze immediately shifted to my arm. I looked at it, and tried to move my fingers at the least. 

" Sei? "

"  My arm.I c-can't move it. " I stated. My voice cracked. Only the Queen was allowed to see me in such a vulnerable state. 

She placed a hand on my forehead, and whispered 

" You took an arrow to your shoulder. It's been treated already. It'll heal my dear. You do not have to worry. "

I let out a sigh of relief. I thought I lost it forever. I gave her a weak smile. 

" You did well in the war honey! You'll make a fine king someday. " she placed a soft kiss on my forehead and turned to leave. 

She walked towards the door, and abruptly stopped as she heard me speak " Is father happy? ". She turned around and gave me a smile and a nod. She left the room and the maids closed the door behind her. 

I closed my eyes and it wasn't too late before I fell asleep.