The loud booms of crashing rocks from the artilery, and the release of arrows echoed throughout the battlefield. A string of intense and boisterous war cries reflected across, resonating throughout my mind. The Mongol Army had just invaded us. They were brutal, merciless, and relentless, almost as if their nature were to kill and only that. They craved for blood; watching my uncleâs men cry out in pain gave them a rush. It was almost a euphoric sensation for them.Â
 As he was watching the sight he said, âI would not let these men strip down our country. We samurai of Imagawa clan, it is our destiny and duty to fight to those who mean harm and protect the innocent and powerless. Today is the day, we samurai will face death, I am willing to fight and die for my people and my country. For honor, loyalty and tradition.â As we charged in, the sound of iron crashing, the screams of honorable warriors filled the battlefield.  We continued with our advance, me and my uncle saw their leader Kublai Khan as we saw him, suddenly a rain of arrows from the enemy heading towards us, I was hit, but my uncle looked at me with concern continued to fight... at that moment I thought it was the end of my life..  I thought I have failed⌠I failed to protect my people⌠my family⌠my honor. As I laid on the battlefield, the sounds war had already subsided, as I tried to regain my consciousness, I felt a gust of wind, as if someone was watching me⌠telling me that its not yet time for me to go to the other side. As I gathered my consciousness, I felt my body being lifted as if someone is carrying me away from the battlefield. Next thing I remembered; I woke up on a camp hidden near to a raided village. I said to myself looking at my bandages, âSomeone saved meâ as I stood up overlooking at the village. The Mongols are ransacking the area for supplies and taking some villagers for their invasion. I stealthily entered a villagerâs house and saw my broken armor. As I got ready a young lady appeared, exclaimed, âGo inside, itâs not safe hereâŚâ and she asked, âHow are your wounds?â As I was clueless to who was that lady was, a Mongol soldier shouting and knocking at the door, she told me to hide. As I hid behind a tipped over table, I heard the Mongol barged in asking for rice, the young lady cried and pointed out to where the rice was, while the Mongol got distracted looking for the supplies, the young lady pounced/ attacked the Mongol- stabbing him at the neck multiple times until the Mongol was dead. After all of that, I asked for the name of the young lady, her name is Himari and worriedly ask her about my uncle Lord Musashi.  She replied, âMany say the took him as prisoner, theyâre heading towards Hirado Castle.â I responded, âWe must go there and save my uncle. He can help usâ as I was saying all of this, she told me that it is too dangerous. As we traded information, we decided to leave the village. As we weaved through the enemy infested village, we picked up a fight a group of Mongols near the stables. She tried to stop me and said,â Donât you must attack them from behindâ, but I replied âWithout Honor? I must face them head onâ and I fought them. As I unsheathed my fatherâs sword, I remembered my uncleâs teaching, âFor generations, our family have lived by a code. Tell me the virtues that guide us.â And I replied, âLoyalty to our Lord and land, Control over our emotions, and HonorâŚo uphold the legacy of the clan.â The lessons of my uncle running though my mind, everything became slow, one of the enemies charging towards me, a sudden breeze blew and I strike, and thus the rest of them made a move. The way I handled the sword felt like a single movement, my blade swiped one by one like the water flowing on a rocky river. As soon as I eliminated them, we rushed towards the stables and grabbed a horse and rode up to Haneda Castle.
 Himari and I planned on how to enter the stronghold, she said, âItâs heavily guarded, you canât just barge in there.â  I replied, âBut doing so is not honorableâ, she followed, â I know its not honorable, but thatâs the only way for you to survive⌠for now sacrifice your code for the sake of your life and for othersâŚâ after that I listened to Himari. And so, we sneaked in the stronghold and split up. We thought our plan worked, but it did not. Apparently, Kublai Khan was expecting me, he exclaimed, âEiji Imagawa! Your uncle told me about you⌠He told me on how great of a warrior you are!â, I replied, âIâm Eiji Imagawa, son of Fujin Imagawa! I demand you to release Lord Musashi.â He followed, âYou on what army.â I replied, âCome face me with honor.â He walked towards me, he was a huge person- taller, had a wide physique, carrying a javelin. He ordered his men to hold position as the encircling us, he said to me âYouâre a brave warrior Eji Imagawa⌠I will give you one last chance⌠Surrender, and I will free your uncle and your people.â I stared into his eyes with misery and I unsheathed my sword, he followed, âWell, you shall face death upon my blade Eiji Imagawa.â Everything in that moment felt heavy, he made his move, the there were sparks coming from the crashing iron blades. Every attack that he throws is heavy, it felt like my blade is about to break after every move that he throws at me, I just cannot reach him⌠after all of the trade of attacks, I was caught off guard, everything went int a slow motion. That kick was strong. I hit myself against the wall, he stared at my eyes like heâs digging the deepest part of my soul. As I about to lose consciousness I saw my uncle looking down upon me. Like he is saying that today is not the time for me to save him. And I noticed that was thrown into a river.
  As I woke up on the riverbank, not knowing where I was. A few thoughts went into my head- if Himari escaped from the stronghold and I had I plan on how to bring down Kublai Khan. I thought of creating an army from other villages and allied clans. I rode north, heading towards a great archer from Fokuoka, Master Yu Ishuzu who fought with my father during the last war. My journey got better where I saw Himari in a village gathering troops as well, looks like we had the same idea. We had our greetings and talked about my plan, I told her to gather many troops across south of Japan and rally them in Saga near the Nagasaki where the Mongols established a stronghold. And thus my journey up north continued, meet Master Yu Ishuzu. He greeted me with an arrow flying through my face thinking that I was the enemy. âDie you blood thirsty beast!â while firing a few arrows, I exclaimed âMaster Yu, itâs just me, Eiji, son of Fujin Imagawa.â  He replied,â Eiji? Is that really you? My my, look how much youâve grown⌠It has been years since I saw you⌠You were just a little boy, now look at you⌠A warrior wielding the family sword.â As he was pulling me in for hug and a pat at back. Followed asking, âWhat brings the son Imagawa up here in Fokuoka?â I replied, â As you may know, the Mongols have already taken Nagasaki and they have already a stronghold at Hirado Castle and taken Lord Mushashi as prisoner⌠Now, Iâm asking for your assistance of your skilled archers to fight against the Mongols.â With the look of Master Yu showing concern and fear for his people, he replied, âI no longer have students and it may take time for me to teach the way of the bow but I will help you. Gather every person that is able to fight in the village.â He followed, âSend a falcon to the Onna-Bugeishas, I have friend that will certainly join us, they are a group of female warriors.â And so I followed the orders of Master Yu, went into the village gathered all the troops and began training with Master Yu, a few of the villagers were experienced  which sped up the training, and the arrival of the Onna-Bugeisha in Fokuoka.
  We rode from Fukouka, Master Yu, the Onna-Bugeisha and I heading South, towards Saga meeting up with Himari and her rallied troops. By now, Kublai Khan had already on what weâre doing but haven't made a move yet, even though we have more men than the Mongols, they're highly skilled warriors- mounted archers, pikemen, heavy calvary. We planned our attack, we thought of creating a small unit for an Extraction for Lord Mushashi within Hirado Castle since there will be a main battle, Kublai Khan will be present at the battlefield ordering his men. I assigned Lord Yu for the control over the main army since I will be joining the extraction unit. As the break of dawn, the plan begins, Himari joined the main army with her rallied warriors. An Onna-Bugeisha is a female warrior who have the same skills of a samurai, for the Mongols, a female warrior is unheard of and who else would be better to lead an extraction than these women- elegant, beautiful but are equals to a shinobi.  The battle began with a single arrow fired towards the main army and landed in front of Master Yu. Without hesitation the Mongol Army screamed charged to battle and followed the allies. As I see this sight from afar, we proceeded heading towards the Hirado castle. As we got through the defense of the castle we searched throughout and saw my uncle, Lord Musashi. As we got through the defense of the castle we searched throughout and saw my uncle, Lord Musashi. âMy boy, I knew you would save me.â Relief wavered over me, seeing the sight of my uncle. "So, what's the plan?" uncle asked, I'd told him about the situation outside. "It's not good news, but we're essentially trapped..." I said. There was a slight pause, followed along with my uncle's soldiers quietly murmuring in the background. "Silence, silence." said uncle. He looked up at me, I could see confidence flickering in his eyes, along with that smug smile of his. "So sad to see you've forgotten what my capabilities are, Eiji." I was gobsmacked, amazed at how my uncle could keep calm in a situation like this. Although I had forgotten just how determined and strong my uncle was. Uncle then turned around to face his soldiers, "Gather up and put on your brave suits men! Today we sought out to face the enemy. To eliminate them is our goal, and to protect those who the defenseless and meek. Today, we fight for honor, loyalty and tradition. We fight for our nation!" His soldiers hollered in response. Seeing the sight of this amazed me, encouraged me to put up with this fight. To not give up.Â
We were on the battlefield, fighting tirelessly, along with my army and uncle's army. My body began to feel weak, but I had to persevere. I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, it was uncle, "We can do this.", he said. After what almost felt like an eternity, the battle had ended.Â
Kublai Khan drew his sword up to my chest. "You still haven't defeated me yet." he said, he'd wanted a duel. His face was covered with scars filled with blood; at that point I'd wanted to decline his offer. "Fight me!" he insisted on the duel. I drew my sword up to his chest as well. We both circled each other, eyeing every move that we did. As if we were like reflections of each other. Our swords clashed, trying my absolute best to block his move. Kublai broke off and proceeded to charge at me, swiftly I dodged his attack, I saw an opening, bringing my sword up to pierce his leg. Kublai cried out in pain, falling on to the ground.
"I could've chosen to kill you, but I would want to deliver justice for my nation and send you off to the courts and decide as to how you suffer."
As the allies swept through enemy lines, they ordered a surrender. Kublai Khan wounded and was dragged by medics. The attack on Hirado Castle and the retaking the rest of South Japan was a success. The increase of defense coming from the shogun have increased and turtle ships guarding over the beaches preventing any Mongol assistance entering from the mainland. As for Kublai, after the court meeting a few days later died due to mercury consumption. For Himari, she returned to her village and lived a happy life with her townspeople. Master Yu returned to Fukuoka, gained a lot of students. For me, my uncle gave me an honorary title and assigned me to an army of samurais. This journey has been quite long, and may come to an end⌠But my devotion to my people and to my country lives on. Â