Robotic Samurai

A Warrior’s Sunset

The massive armies had been fighting since morning. As the sun started to set on the battlefield, Alexander caught sight of Coffin. Grasping his sword tighter, he moved toward him. Coffin saw the ancient warrior coming for him. Making his way through the field, Alexander was getting closer. Reaching him, the two stood yards apart. Coffin swung his arms and the crowds of soldiers around him flew through the air, except for Alexander, he was unaffected.

“Coffin, it doesn’t have to end this way,” Alexander said.

“There is no retribution for your sins this time,” Coffin replied, “you will die. And so will all these worthless people that stand in my way. Those children of yours have no faith, no hope. They can see it, why can’t you? Your time is up. Face it Alexander, I am invincible.”

“Your wrong Coffin,” Alexander said, “they will not give up.”

“But, what would happen if they didn’t have you? You are what keeps them together. The idea of fighting alongside the myth that you fabricated is what keeps them together. They will not live to see the next sunrise. And neither will you!”

Coffin charged Alexander. He swung his sword and collided with Alexander’s. Back and forth they went. Alexander was weakening. Even he knew that no matter how powerful he was the sheer strength of Coffin was no match for him. As the sun touched the tip of the distant mountains, Alexander fell. Breathing deep and hard, he still held is sword high at Coffin, the blade reflecting the setting sun in the distant.

“You have reached your end,” Coffin said. “And don’t worry; I shall take care of your companions.”

Nitsua was fighting within a short distance. He had kept an eye on the battle and now, as he saw Coffin stand over Alexander, he watched his grandfather release his grip on his sword. He ran at full speed, knocking everyone out of his way.

“Your time is up. Never again shall you mislead the people. In a century or two, it will then be realized that killing you was the best thing for the universe.”

When Coffin raised his sword, Alexander closed his old, wrinkled eyes. As Coffin started to swing a large energy blast hit him in his right side and sent him flying through the air into the edges of the battlefield.

Nitsua reached his grandfather. He knelt down next to him. After removing his helmet, Nitsua grasped his grandfather’s sword and placed it in its master’s hand.

“No Nitsua,” Alexander said, “no more for me. Coffin was right. My time was yesterday.”

“No, no,” Nitsua said, “I’m going to get you out of here. You’ll be fine.”

“Nitsua, I am an old man. I have fought more battles than Earth has ever seen. It is my time to go.”

“But what will I do without you?” Nitsua asked.

“That is up to you. I am nothing more than a myth now. It is time for you to be a legend.”

“How? What do you mean?” Nitsua said.

“Do not waver as others have. And Nitsua, in my chest is one last gift for you. When you get home, break it open.”

As Alexander started to slip away, he put his hand on Nitsua’s face and said, “You must make your own history. Remember all that I have shown and taught you. Remember it well, and never forget who you are and where you come from.”

Nitsua watched his eyes dilate and his hand fall. Alexander had been there since the beginning and now he was gone. Even with all the confusion Nitsua remembered what he had said.

Who you are. Where you come from.

It was a long journey since they started, and Nitsua would finish it alone.

The past came back to him; when he had been so young and so innocent. He remembered it well, and would never forget how they all first started.

His grandfather’s words echoed, “It is time for you to be a legend.”  

But every legend has a beginning…