Lion's Claw: Light of Valiance

By Martin C Tavitian

Ryo Saito, an ordinary young man, is about to find out that he is more than what he believes. When he rescues a mysterious creature known as a Nekolite, he is thrust into Felindria, a beautiful land faced with a demonic threat. The only hope lies in the hands of a pure-hearted individual, armed with the holy blade known as the Lion's Claw. Could

• Language: English
• Publisher: Palmetto Publishing Group
• Release date: Jul 28, 2020
• ISBN: 9781649900098

Book preview

Prologue

T

he town of Tategami has always been a quiet and humble place at its surface. However, there is a legend that has been told throughout the course of its history by its citizens, the story of Yuuta the swordsman and his companion, the White Lion.

The story is as follows: Long ago, during the times of war and depression, there lived a strong and steady man by the name of Yuuta. He was known for his extended knowledge in the art of combat, for his kind-hearted nature toward the people he cared about, and for how he would always fulfill a promise no matter the cost. With a few of his companions, he built a quiet little village at the base of a mountain next to a wide-open field for farming. He named this village Tategami because of his admiration for the coalitions of white lions that roamed the fields outside of the village.

When the wars were fast approaching the village, Yuuta enlisted in the army with a few able-bodied villagers to save it from possible devastation. In battle, he was an unbreakable force who could not be toppled by any living being. He was admired and honored by many a fellow soldier, but it wasn't until the final battles of the war that his life changed forever. During a perimeter check around the forests surrounding his base encampment, he and a few other soldiers were attacked by an enemy group of spies who set the trees around them ablaze. Yuuta ordered the soldiers to return to the camp and report what had happened; however, when he turned to retreat himself, he spotted a white lion cub trapped on one of the branches of the flaming trees. Having a fondness for these beautiful creatures of his homeland, Yuuta leaped up the tree to save the cub from certain death. After he secured the cub in his arms, the tree began to fall onto the growing flames below; Yuuta cared not if he died this way for he knew that he would be honored for this good deed, yet he still prayed to ancestors to give him the strength to escape the fires with cub and himself alive. As Yuuta and the cub began to fall, a shadow rushed out of the flames and caught them both right before they landed, carried them out of the forest, and safely towed them back to the base camp. To the surprise of the other soldiers, their most skilled warrior was on the back of a fully grown white lion. Yuuta believed that this lion came as a blessing from his ancestors, to reward him for the sacrifice of his own life for the lion cub.

Afterward, the lion followed Yuuta everywhere he went on the battlefield and even when the war was won. Everyone who laid eyes on them would say that their bond was unbreakable; this was true. The lion would obey Yuuta's every command, keep him safe from harm, and get him what he needed. It also slept with him, ate with him, celebrated with him, and even died with him. The day they were buried was a day of remembrance known as the Day of the White Lion, where the townspeople would celebrate the life and times of their town's most honored founder and the creature who saved his life. On that day, all the villagers came together to create a statue made of gold mined from the nearby mountain and mold it into the shape of Yuuta and his white lion companion in the center of the village with a plaque that read, May the strength of our heroes live within us all.

Chapter 1

O

ur story begins thousands of years after the wars ended and peace was brought back into the world. Tategami's citizens conformed to a modern society, turning the once small village into a massive, diverse city with tall glass buildings, business and commercial districts, and surrounding urban and rural districts. The mountain and its gold mines became a popular tourist attraction and study destination, with many people visiting every day. However, the statue of Yuuta and his beloved companion still stood in the center of the massive city. Although many citizens took in this new way of living, there were some who still held a bond for the times gone by. One of them was a young man by the name of Ryo, of the Saito family.

He lived in the eastern urban district with his mother and grandmother, who had always taught him to look back on the days gone by with respect and honor, and he always had. The morning sun rose at the break of dawn, its light pouring through the window into Ryo's bedroom. The light made its way onto his sleeping form, waking him from his slumber. Pushing his bedcovers off, Ryo got out of bed while rubbing his eyes, thinking, Today is going to be great.

After getting dressed, Ryo went to the kitchen where his mother was cooking breakfast. Good morning, Ryo. his mother said as he entered.

Good morning, Mother. Ryo said as he sat down at the table.

Today is the Day of the White Lion. I believe you will be joining me and your grandmother for the festivities? she said as she gave him his breakfast, miso soup with rice and green tea.

Definitely, why wouldn't I? Ryo replied. It was true: the Day of the White Lion was his favorite holiday of the year, when he spent time with his family and honored the town founder and the humble beginnings of their great city.

Of course, Ryo. I know how much you love this day. Now eat your breakfast, you don't want to be late for work. Ryo's mother reminded him. With that, he swiftly finished his meal, kissed his mother goodbye, grabbed his sweater, and rode his bike into the city.

RYO WORKED WITH HIS GRANDMOTHER AND a few others downtown at a café in the town plaza known as Tranquil Grove, not far from the statue. At this café, there were two areas: a main area near the entrance and a side room behind the counter, where customers could drink their beverages while being surrounded by cats. Ryo and his grandmother loved cats and raised them to be friendly toward the customers. Ryo's grandmother believed that cats had a special quality that invoked serenity and longevity within a person, which is why she had decided to open the café, to share this special quality with everyone. It had since grown into a popular spot for locals and tourists, where they could relax and reflect on life.

Ryo's grandmother was making preparations for the day when Ryo walked in. Hello, Ryo. she greeted.

Good morning, Grandmother. Ryo said, putting his sweater on a nearby rack. How are you?

I feel wonderful. It's that special day again. she said with joy in her voice.

I'm excited for the festivities myself, Grandmother. So, what can I get started on? Ryo asked.

Ryo's grandmother thought for a moment and said, I have just finished unpacking the boxes of my specialty ‘Panther's Ghost’ tea for the festival. I need you to start brewing it and put it on the menu. Panther's Ghost was a special tea that Ryo's grandmother always made on this day as an exclusive menu item, which everyone seemed to love. I also need you feed the cats and give them their water.

I will get right on it. Ryo replied, always eager to work. He went past the main counter and entered the side room, where customers would choose to sit with the cats. As always, the cats greeted Ryo with their usual friendliness, rubbing their soft, furry bodies on his legs and purring with content. Hello, everyone. Ryo greeted them, to which they meowed in response. He then fed them, gave them water, and gave them each a few strokes on the back. After that he turned to leave, when all of sudden, one of the kittens bolted out of a hiding place near the door and through it into the main area of the café. Grandmother, one the kittens got out again! Ryo called. Ryo's grandmother tried to block the way leading out of the cashier area, but while Ryo's grandmother was fast, the kitten was faster and was almost out the open door when suddenly—

Gotcha! someone shouted as they scooped up the kitten in their arms.

Ryo instantly recognized the person. Nice catch there, Sari.

No problem, Ryo. Good morning. Sari had been Ryo's best friend since middle school. She was a smart and confident young woman who worked for the town's event committee. Like Ryo, she was fond of the town's rich history and varied cultures and was not likely to let anyone tell her otherwise. I wonder why it's always this little one who keeps trying to get out.

I wouldn't worry about Zara here. She's just very eager to see the world she lives in. Ryo said while ruffling the kitten's fur. So, are you going to be working on any of the festivities tonight? Ryo asked as handed Zara to his grandmother.

I'm in charge of hiring some entertainment for the celebration show. I'm thinking of getting that new group of dancers that formed two months ago. Sari explained.

Yeah, I've heard that they are really good. Ryo replied.

Is the café going to be going to be selling that special tea? Sari then asked him.

Of course, would you like me to save you some? he replied.

Sure, you know how much I love that tea. she said. Well, I should get going. I've got a lot of work to do.

OK, I will see you tonight. Ryo said as she left the store.

After she left, Ryo's grandmother came back from the side room and said to him, Sari is a really sweet girl, isn't she? Why don't you take her out sometime?

Grandmother, Ryo said with a slight annoyance in his voice, we are just friends.

It was only a suggestion. Ryo's grandmother said.

I know, Grandmother. Ryo's grandmother was always bringing up the subject of dating ever since he had turned eighteen; now he was nineteen. Ryo wasn't really the dating type, preferring to take it slow and try to earn enough money to secure himself a stable life and start dating in the future. Ryo didn't want just any girl, though; he wanted a girl who was beautiful but also had the same appreciation for the little things in life that he had, like family, friends, and even dreams. Ryo knew he would find someone exactly like that one day—not today or tomorrow but someday. With that thought in mind, Ryo started brewing the special tea for that night's special event.

Chapter 2

T

he day went by fast for Ryo as the Day of the White Lion festival started that evening. It seemed like everyone in the city had shown up in the square that night as many people, locals and tourists alike, had gathered to celebrate this honorable day yet again. The square and the surrounding streets were abundant with a multitude of stands selling all sorts of food, antiquities, and paintings, as well as many homemade gifts. There were also many types of street performers, ranging from jugglers, poets, staff twirlers, and musicians. All of the street posts and sidewalks were adorned with decorations, which consisted of streamers, balloons, decorative fans, and small painted images of Yuuta and his lion companion. Of course, the biggest site of all was a huge shrine in front of Yuuta's statue, honoring his life, his time with his lion companion, and the many achievements achieved throughout their lives. It seemed that no matter where you looked, you would always see a smile on every face, and the same could also be said for Ryo and his family. I would say that the festival committee has outdone themselves yet again. Ryo's mother noticed.

I agree, my dear. Ryo's grandmother replied. After all, a brave and honorable man like Yuuta needs a big event such as this.

Meanwhile, Ryo was admiring the magnificent shrine in front of the statue. His mother noticed this and said, You have always loved the shrine, didn't you Ryo?

I do, and I always will. Ryo said while putting his arm around his mother's shoulder in a hug.

Hey, Ryo, you made it! a voice called out. Ryo looked toward the voice and saw that it belonged to Sari.

We wouldn't miss an event like this, now would we? Ryo replied.

I have to say, Sari, you and the committee did a wonderful job on the festivities this year. Ryo's mother said.

Thank you, Mrs. Saito. Just hearing everyone say that makes our hard work mean something. Also, if you don't mind, could I hang out with Ryo for a while?

Of course. Would you like to, Ryo? his mother replied.

I would like that, Mother. Ryo said. As much as Ryo liked to spend time with his family during an event like this, he knew he also had to spend time with his friend.

Awesome, I can't wait to show you everything. Sari said excitedly as she walked toward some the stands, and Ryo followed.

RYO HAD EXPERIENCED THESE FESTIVALS many times before; however, he still got a feeling of amazement every time he walked down the streets during this time and enjoyed being with not only one of the people responsible for making it happen but also his best friend. Ryo and Sari saw everything there was to see, they tried the delicious snacks from the food stands, Ryo admired the many antiquities and paintings on display while Sari admired the beautiful jewelry and dresses that were being sold, and they enjoyed the many street performers and their amazing illusions and songs, but the one thing they enjoyed the most was the main event: the performance of the Four Seasons, the dancing group hired by Sari and the other committee members. The crowd cheered them on as they danced with their best moves to the beat of some traditional music. After that, Ryo and Sari decided to take a rest on a bench near the shrine before the closing parade started. This has been a really fun night so far, hasn't it? Sari asked.

Yeah, it makes me wish nights like these could last forever. Ryo said while looking into her eyes.

Their moment didn't last long though, as their thoughts were interrupted by an all-too-familiar voice. Hey, it's Cat-Man and the Girl-Wonder! Ryo and Sari knew that voice all too well. It was Brutus, a student from Ryo's kendo class and a bully who took pleasure in making fun of Ryo's love for cats and Sari's love of the city's ancient history. Well, don't let me stop you, just share your kiss. he sarcastically said to them. When he saw that he had their full attention, he continued, So, Cat-Man, how are your little friends at that stupid café doing? Maybe getting married? If so, am I invited to the wedding? he said, still using the sarcastic tone. Ryo said nothing as he just stared at him with a blank expression. Brutus continued his assault: Not talking, eh? Well I guess that just proves how stupid you are. he said.

That is when Sari had had enough. Brutus, why can't you go be a jerk somewhere else?

What's wrong, Girl-Wonder? Did I make fun of your boyfriend? he shot back.

Sari would have gotten right in his smug face if Ryo hadn't held her back. This is so like you, Brutus, acting like a complete jackass, especially on the most important day in this city's history! Sari shouted at him.

Right, ‘the Day of the Big Fat Oaf and His Even Bigger Pussy.’ Brutus carelessly said.

Sari was really getting angry now. It's called ‘the Day of the White Lion,’ you idiot! she yelled.

Jeez, if you love this Yuuta guy so much, then why don't you marry him? Oh wait, he's dead so you can't. he said.

Sari just felt like punching him right in the face. His memory lives on. she calmly said.

Doesn't matter, Brutus forcefully said. Dead means dead. He then looked toward the shrine. This is all so meaningless—there is no need to make a big fuss over one guy and his fat feline who supposedly saved our town from some big war that happened ages ago. he said, turning back toward Sari. If you want to waste your time honoring some dead guy, so be it. As for me I have more important things to do. he said while walking away and leaving them alone.

After Sari had calmed down, she and Ryo sat back on the bench. Sari turned to Ryo and said, Let me just say how amazed I am of you, you didn't even say anything.

That's exactly what he wants out of us. Ryo said. People like him take pleasure in feeding off the negative energy that lies within us. If we stay silent, then they will eventually give up on trying to get us mad. Ryo then looked Sari in the eyes and said, You know that Yuuta is a great man, do you?

Of course, but I just wish that I could get everyone to see it. Sari admitted.

You think that he is a great man, and that is all that matters. As long as you know that he was capable of great things, then eventually everyone will see what a great man he was. Ryo said.

Sari then hugged him, saying, You always know what to say Ryo. Thank you. Sari was silent for a moment before asking, Ryo, do you ever dream?