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The Day of Atonement
Chapter 1
In the small town of Sizen, there lies a dojo. Inside that dojo there are students learning from a master. Nothing that would truly stand out there, but to a trained eye, greatness may be felt. Not true greatness yet, but undeveloped greatness that can be made with certain decisions and types of training selected by those who are lucky enough to be picked by the Gods. This type of greatness will come at a price, good or evil; the choice belongs to the beholder. In the dojo lie two boys named Hetheo Antari and Kasik Bento. These boys have been chosen by the Gods to become truly great. But one will fall to the other ones hand. Good versus evil, eternally retold.
“You’re supposed to dodge the bokken, not block it,” Master Jaing yelled at Hetheo, “Dodge Tanis’ swipes and slashes. How do you expect to become a decent swordsman if you can’t even dodge a simple horizontal swipe?”
“It’s not exactly easy…oomph” Hetheo grunted as a strike got him in the gut.
“Actually, it may help if you try to dodge the strikes,” Tanis replied snidely, “all that you have to do is bend or jump back, it’s not really something hard, like climbing the cliff outside with one hand. That takes some time, effort, strength, and endurance.”
Hetheo got up slowly and thought to himself; I could have stayed home and just become a chef like dad, but no! I wanted to become a legendary warrior.

Kasik saw Hetheo struggling with trying to master the art of dodging the opponent’s strikes and interpreting his next movements. Apparently I’m not the only one having trouble interpreting Tanis’ next form of attack.
“Kasik, come and spar with Hetheo for a while, you and he are of similar styles and abilities.” Master Jaing bellowed out of no where.
Kasik came to the sparring ring and unsheathed his bokken. The two boys stared at each other, although both of them were friends and roommates, any person would be able to tell there was some tension mounting between them.
Hetheo started the match with a diagonal slash, that with a real katana would take an opponent’s leg clean off. Kasik jumped back and came back with a vertical strike aimed at Hetheo’s arm, Hetheo went to block and parry the attack when Kasik dropped to his feet and attempted a successful leg sweep. Then while Hetheo hit the ground with a thud, Kasik tried a finishing attack, a stab straight to the heart. Hetheo, anticipating the maneuver quickly formulated a plan. As the wood went straight for Hetheo’s heart, he rolled out of the way and grabbed Kasik’s legs with his. Kasik tripped and accidentally dropped his bokken. Hetheo went for a back hand to Kasik’s stomach and got a hit. Damn, Hetheo actually has some skill; Kasik is in trouble if he can’t get his bokken back soon. Can’t say I care much, Hetheo is still going to lose. Tanis thought to himself with a grin upon his face.
Kasik roll out of Hetheo’s next strike. Now Hetheo was at an advantage, Kasik was forced to start thinking quickly on his feet. Hetheo’s strategy for right now is probably to keep me away from my bokken, but he has a tendency to rush an opponent. I may be able to use as my way of retrieving my bokken.
“Quit messing around Hetheo, you are at an advantage, use it. Kasik is far from his bokken, keep him away from it and even an infant should be able to win.” Master Jaing bellowed.
“Thanks for helping him and not me. I’m clearly the one who needs….DAMN!”
Hetheo took the distraction that Master Jaing caused and rushed Kasik, Hetheo slid till he was a few inches from Kasik. Then he kicked him in the stomach. Kasik flew into the air spinning wildly, Hetheo jumped in hope of finishing off Kasik. Hetheo was just about striking distance when Kasik stopped spinning and axe kicked Hetheo in the top of the head. Hetheo went flying into the ground with a heavy thud. Kasik couldn’t stick the landing so he somersaulted to the left where his bokken was located. But it wasn’t needed because the force of the landing knocked Hetheo unconscious.
“Congratulations Kasik,” Tanis said, “You just earned the number two spot in the dojo.”
“I deserve more than this lousy fighter”
“That’s enough boys, insulting a fighter when he’s standing is one thing. But insulting him when he’s down is dishonorable to you,” Sequoya said.
“You just say that because you like Hetheo.” Tanis replied.
“No, I d-don’t. He is just an umm friend.”
“Whatever you say, but hey I can’t say it’s true. But I can guess, although I’m probably right.”
“You’re a …. SHUT UP!”
“Whatever you wish my queen.”
Tanis’ tendency to get on people’s last nerve was well known through out all of Sizen, but that may have been the little brother gene that is known through out most of the world. Tanis has gotten on many people’s bad side that way.
Hetheo woke up in his bed, an aching head and damaged pride were all that plagued him.
“Damn, my head feels as if it was being beaten by multiple boulders.”
Hetheo got up and walked out in to the hall were he saw Sequoya.
“How are you feeling?” She asked.
“Not that great, how is Kasik?”
“You worried about him! You’re the one who got knocked unconscious for five hours. But if you must know, he and Tanis went out for ramen at Izaki Zatocho’s.”
“Hey, Sequoya, do you want to go out and get some dinner with me? I just need something to take my mind of this headache.”
“Well….I…umm sure,” She said.
Sequoya quickly turned around blushing vibrantly.
I can’t believe it! Hetheo actually wants to go on a date with me!
“I mean it’s not a date or anything like that, just dinner.” Hetheo said, “Just two friends eating together.”
Damn, well I guess it’s better than nothing.
“I would be honored, do you have any particular place in mind. I’m really up for anything.” Sequoya replied.
“Just follow me, it’ll be my surprise.” Hetheo grunted.

Kasik and Tanis started arguing on who would pick up the check.
“I just advanced to the number two spot in the dojo!” Kasik yelled
“Well I’m in the first in the dojo; it should be a treat just to take me to lunch.” Tanis rebottled.
Well I see Master Jaing has failed to teach you humility.”
“He tried, but it never did take; and you ate more than I did.”
“So, I had a victory against Hetheo! Shouldn’t that count for something?”
“NO!” yelled Kasik, It doesn’t stand for a damn thing! I can beat Hetheo in a fight too. You don’t see me bragging.”
“Of course you don’t need to brag; I do. I just went through a hard fight, took a hit and won in a very cool way. All you did was hit him in the stomach with a bokken!”
“Umm, excuse me gentlemen, you are being a little too loud. I’m afraid I’m going to have to ask you to leave.” A waitress said to the boys.
“Who the hell cares?” The boys yelled angrily at the waitress.
Tanis and Kasik glared at the waitress until a couple of police from the Sizen police station showed up and threw the boys out of the restaurant.
“I can’t believe that actually worked” Tanis said as he brushed dirt of off of his shirt.
“Hetheo and I have done this multiple times, if you add up how many bills went unpaid…lets see, carry the two…multiply by four. In all it adds up to about one million zenny.” Kasik replied, “Well, we should call it a night and head back up the dojo.”

Hetheo and Sequoya were walking into the village when they heard a ruckus.
“Did you hear that Hetheo? It sounds likes it coming from Izaki’s.” Sequoya asked.
“Well if I remember correctly, Tanis and Kasik are there. So that means that Kasik told Tanis our trick to not pay the bill when it comes.” Hetheo said.
“What is the trick?” Sequoya whispered.
“We go in, eat and what for the bill. Kasik and I then start an argument over something trivial. When the bill comes, every patron will be starring at us. A waitress or the manger comes over and asks us to leave.” Hetheo replied. “But, we start yelling and glaring at whoever tells us to leave and then we get thrown out.”
“You lazy bum!” Sequoya yelled as she smacked Hetheo across the face. Hetheo kept his head turned. He was in shock since the slap came out of no where. “How can you be so lazy as to not even pay your bill?”
“Ouch! That really hurt, what the hell did I do to deserve that?” Hetheo asked.
“You are so cheap that you can’t pay for a meal! You have more then enough zenny.” Sequoya screamed. At this point, Hetheo was tired of holing his anger in.
“You steal from Phoenix’s Jade store all the time! I saw you just slip those earrings into you sleeve and walk out. I steal food, you steal highly valuable jewelry.” Hetheo yelled back.