The Rise of the White Lotus

Four nights later, the palace was more packed than it already was as the clashing of swords resonated in every direction of the palace. The thudding of bodies crashing to the ground with blood oozing out their bodies, shouts of the Queen's side along with the shout of the new regimen of the rightful king could be heard everywhere.

Aki glanced up, his sword was tainted with blood as he stared at the court where the throne was located. Inside these layers of gates, he would soon reach where Tora was waiting for him. For the first time in a long time, he would finally see her again.

However, this time, it wouldn't be a lovely reunion because this meeting, one of them must perish. Today, a victor would be proclaimed that would stand as the ruler of this country. And yet, Aki's heart bled inside as he drew closer and closer to his destination.

As soon as they arrived at the open space before the imperial court, they were welcomed by a few soldiers that were tasked to protect the queen. Alas, when it comes to numbers, Aki's group greatly outnumbered them.

Still, behind them, Tora stood, with her sword on her hand. Just her alone, numbers didn't matter as she was capable of defeating every single on of them.

Yet, she wasn't wearing any battle gears just like when she was a General but rather, she was wearing the beautiful red imperial clothes of the Queen. She looked mesmerizing with it, actually; she looked more feminine than the last time Aki saw her.

For a moment, Aki and Tora's eyes met. Thoughts of the past flashed across their eyes which gradually turned the atmosphere gloomy. 

"Invading my palace, you have committed treason punishable by death. Stop this ruckus at once and receive your punishment!" Still staring at Aki, Tora commanded. She moved her gaze to the people behind him and saw familiar faces, including Saionji.

"The palace wasn't yours. Coveting the throne, depriving your people with the protection the king must give, and caused the whole nation nothing but utter despair, I asked you to step down on your own accord and face proper trial!" Aki's eyes sharpened as he gritted his teeth and announced that they must not shed more blood tonight. 

"Step down? Ha!" Tora maniacally chuckled that sent a cold chill down their spine. "No one will take away the throne from me. If you want it, then, you shall face my sword!" Slowly, Tora unsheathed her sword that killed many people — good and evil. Her response of not conceding in defeat was already foreseen hence, Aki also drew out his sword.

"Get back. I should be the one to face her." Leaving a note to his people that accompanied him through and through to make tonight a success, Aki never once left his eyes on her. He must take her down because none of them, even Saionji, could stand a chance before Tora.

Aki wasn't confident that he could defeat her. However, he was the only one who has the chance to stand up before her. Moreover, if he wanted to reclaim the throne, he must defeat the monster owning it. Regardless if she was the woman who until now occupied his heart.

"You, get out of my way." Tora stared at Aki as she hissed before she turned to Saionji. "Saionji, turning your back against your Queen, I shall decapitate you with my bare hands." With that said note, Tora leaped from her standpoint and soon appeared in front of Saionji.

Saionji's initial instinct was to block the sword upon sensing the incoming danger. However, Tora was indeed fast and before he could protect himself, Tora appeared in front of him with her sword assaulting for a slash.

Saionji realized that Tora's attack was meant to kill him hence, he instantly accepted his fate as it was an honor to die in the hands of the king he truly acknowledged. However, the next second, Tora's sword clashed into another sword because Aki came to block the incoming attack.

"The audacity…" Leaping back several feet from them, Tora scoffed as her sharpened eyes pierced through Aki. "Are you that impatient to meet your death, your royal highness?" 

"Saionji, I will only repeat my words once, get away from here." Through his gritted teeth, Aki distinguished that Tora intended to kill Saionji, revealing that Saionji indeed betrayed her. If he was a second late, Saionji had died that instant.

'Your Majesty…' Saionji could only glance at Tora as he gritted his teeth and leaped as far away from the two. He realized that Tora attacked him to break the last straw of Aki's suspicions towards him. It wasn't meant to kill him, but it was an attack that would absolve him from a lesser punishment when Aki ascended the throne.

"I see… everyone had colluded behind my back." Tora sneered as a deadly glint flashed across her eyes. "I will make you regret going up against me!" She exclaimed and dashed forward, attacking Aki which he blocked by the skin of his teeth.

"Huh, until when can you block my attacks?" Tora ridiculed as she put pressure on her sword that was in contact with his. "Few more swings and it will break — leaving you open, waiting for my sword to pierce through you." Tora maniacally chuckled until Aki pushed her sword away and jumped back. 

'She's strong.' He thought inwardly. Tora wasn't this strong in their friendly fights back then. Actually, it wasn't even close to what he had seen. Meaning to say, she was greatly holding back in the past and deliberately let their score be a tie.

However, this only ignited a strong will to protect this kingdom from her. Because if he died, everyone who supported him and those who placed all their faith in him would also die. It would be safe to say that this kingdom would be done if he failed. Therefore, he couldn't fail.

"Tora!" Through his gritted teeth, Aki shouted before he stood in an offensive stance and dashed forward. He knew he must stake his own life if he wanted to defeat her. Even if he would die, Aki knew that Tora shouldn't live as well. Hence, he let go of his defense and went all out.

 As he comes close, Tora faintly chuckled internally. 'You're truly a fool, My Love.'