The Yamikage: a New Dawn

By Michael Romasanta

The Yamikage, a triumphant shadow that arrives to provide shade for a supernatural world full of violence, agony and despair. A cult of psychopaths has been roaming freely without intervention from the largest countries of the world. Murdered by the thousands, The Astronomen take anyone as their victims to appease their “gods”. The Yamikage, together with an entourage of new found lionhearts coming from distraught backgrounds band together as the “The Hidden Knights”. They dawn an honorable agenda to seek retaliation, shelter the victimized and construct a country of their own that could change this world for good.


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“The Yamikage: A New Dawn”

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Jun 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984584960

Michael Romasanta

Michael Romasanta is a new breakout author from Chicago who’s freshman manuscript for this book was highly sought after being reviewed by many publishers. He has an eye for ingenuity and a mind capable of crafting novel worlds from just his imagination. Writing is a natural skill of his that has been nurtured by his deep love and passion for reading as he commits to reading a minimum of one hundred books a year as his quota. He is a musical powerhouse on top of that being able to play a wide assortment of instruments as well as producing music. Michael’s writing style is one of a kind. Combining a type of swift action you would never believe could come from a book with a passionate fluidity of insightful, engaging dialogue Michael’s writing style is one of a kind. His schooling in psychology drops hints of its knowledge with his character’s deep emotional backstories and personalities reflecting a relatable sense of subtle familiarity with their internal as well as their external issues that some people in our society face. Although a 27-year-old, disabled epileptic, he still lets his passion for developing new skills guide him through life with gusto.

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Copyright © 2020 by Michael Romasanta.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 06/23/2020

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Contents

A New Dawn

The Yamikage’s Story

Asteria’s Story

Hunnah-Ku’s Story

Elos’s Story

Hauron’s Story

Luna, Lyssa, and Hennah’s Story

Aidos, Metis, Thrassos, and Snotra

Eos’s Story

Creating

Rumors

Fired Upon

The First and Final Battle

Celebrations

Remembrance

Thanks to my cat, even though this would’ve been written a lot faster if she wasn’t sitting on my laptop.

Family and friends.

A New Dawn

What if you awoke in a world you’d never

known and had all the power in it?

The light of dawn shines on you. Lift yourself off the dew-filled grass and take in your first deep breath in this unfamiliar world.

Where in the world am I? A man unknown to us had awoken. For the sake of our story, we’d refer to the esteemed protagonist as the Yamikage, the shadow that darkness cast, and he’d feel why in due time.

The light wind was pure and chill to the touch as it graced his face. The surrounding grass-coated ground was strong and fertile; it was as if Mother Gaia blessed all who strode on her. The scenery was electric, enough to raise the hair on your arm. There was definitely a strange type of energy here. Baffled at this point by a flash from a distance, a vicious ignition of fire and the smoke combined to make a stunning yet destructive scene.

The Yamikage sped toward a crystal clear pond to catch a glimpse of himself; it was luminescent and glassy. All right, who am I? He marveled solemnly at his reflection.

The Yamikage was an overtly cunning and enticing person by nature. He was most likely ageless but appeared around twenty-five years old. His hair was lightly dyed with stripes of red and was mostly as black as tar across. He was standing about six feet tall, and he had skin that was a tender tan; it accentuated his individuality. Naturally, he had a confident expression, the kind you would find in someone born to be a leader. His face was chiseled with features that mimicked a god’s. He had zippered black clothing on coated in chroma gold with elegant designs wrapped and intertwined like vines and wreaths. He sported a long jacket that veiled down to the back of his knee. He had obsidian boots fit for combat and a matching beanie from our Earth.

Is that crying I hear? the Yamikage pondered out loud while staring off at the fire in the distance. It’s almost as if I can hear someone screaming. I’m not imagining things. I’ll go find out. Curious, the Yamikage began to trek in that direction; he walked and walked, only to find that he had hit a long, tall wall of plateaus. Guess there’s no going over this.

The Yamikage decided to sit with his distorted thoughts. He didn’t recall who he was, his past, or most of his sense of reality at the moment. He was very confused, and this was slightly irritating to him. He got upset and threw a backhand punch at the wall, only to find it shattering and then breaking entirely. What in the world? The Yamikage was staring at his hands, flabbergasted by his own strength.

The shock of his ability to single-handedly demolish a canvass of geography alerted some damnable and serious characters, Widder and Stier. A battle-ready and accursed-looking fellow accompanied a shrewd, heavily scarred, and suspicious man. They were both donning capes that dropped to the side of the body with a menacing symbol—the ruby-red silhouette of a bleeding heart with a sharp dagger piercing through it, an image that would burn itself in the psyche of many tortured souls. This symbol was significant to the acts of those who sacrifice.

The two knaves screamed at him, What in the world are you doing that for? Who do you think you are going around and breaking geographical masterpieces like that? They were definitely looking for a fight.

The Yamikage curiously approached them, bold and clearly unintimidated. Who are you, guys? I think you are the first people I’ve met recently, if at all. He sounded somber, confused, and innocent.

The two took advantage of this ignorance and menacingly joked around with him. It’s no ordinary feat to break a big piece of rock like that. You must be really special, Widder said, beginning to pace around him. Well then, if you’re so tough, maybe we should fight then. The loser gets killed.

The Yamikage instinctively found a thrill in their threats. Fine then, bring it on.

The area was littered with giant boulders and dust-covered grass. Widder flung a dark sword engraved with purple dragons at the Yamikage, who passed right through it as if it were as light as smoke. He didn’t move or flinch; he knew that the sword couldn’t kill him.

Stier ran and grabbed the sword that passed through his cohort and ran at full speed at the Yamikage as he let it glide through the sullied dirt left behind him. Fire engulfed his left arm and started to spiral about the aura of the blade. Widder stomped the ground to propel a chunk of rock from its surface, and he kicked it to send shards of hard rock flying out from its core. They stabilized and sharpened themselves as projectiles. They were all suddenly flung at the Yamikage like pikes in midair.

The Yamikage glitched¹ out of their way. Teleporting to the back of Stier, he kicked him sideways. The kick sent him flying meters away into a rock wall. His sword dropped with fire around it; it was grabbed by the Yamikage. Stier was now in the path of the rock spears being hurdled. Widder stopped the rocks from striking his partner via a telepathic hold on the earth he controlled.

Wow, not too bad. That’s a cool trick you got there. What is that, a teleportation technique? Widder said as he dusted the rocks off his clothes and climbed out the wall. He quickly took note of what his power could be. It’s something that’s essential as a warrior, being able to think fast.

You used the wind or air to push your body out of the way, huh? Stier shouted out from a short distance away.

The Yamikage sneered and said, Yeah, sure, whatever, guys. Think what you want to think, but know that I already beat you easily. I’m down to go another round if you like. He knew that their assumptions about him were completely wrong.

The Yamikage noticed their movements; with the jacket he was wearing becoming covered in dirt, he stomped the ground mockingly, mimicking Widder’s technique. The rocks were instead chiseled five feet thick in a giant log shape. They were set on fire and flung at Widder and Stier.

Stier and Widder dodged the giant molten logs of wood; they were caught completely off guard when the logs exploded. They both took heavy damage, and this threw them both in a frenzy. Widder stomped the ground again; it was moving the rest of the rocky area about them and causing rocks to crash from above. They were losing regard for the territory costs. The Yamikage had the luxury of being lackadaisical. Hundreds of stones, rocks, and boulders were being hurled toward him.

Widder said, So you want to play rough? The ground formed a hurricane shape as he knelt down and thrust his arms into the dirt. The shape engulfed the whole area, and pikes of chiseled stones were being propelled upward from the ground toward the Yamikage, who glitched behind Widder while making it appear as if he was dodging the spears with a doppelganger of himself. He clasped his hands and struck him.

Look out! Stier shouted after the fact. There was no way they were going to conquer his speed. He lunged forward to strike the Yamikage with fists that had developed iron hands. Stier turned to the Yamikage, who extended his hands toward both Widder and Stier. From a T-shaped wide stance, he made lava explode from the force of his hands and caused them to be severely burned. Their fats and tissues seemed to be melting.

Cloaked with lava searing their skin, the two strangers shed their skin like aging serpents. For a few moments, their muscles were exposed. Tissue and skin were visibly being repaired on their steaming bodies. The two were furious but impressed with the Yamikage’s battle skill. Widder and Stier had to stop to furiously look at each other and silently decided to take a break.

They condescendingly addressed the Yamikage. Great, good for you, but I’m not impressed. Just letting you know that would normally only be a warm-up for us. Go ahead and sit there. Act tough, but we’re going to have to figure out something to do with you, one of the Astronomen said.

Well, I hope you can make it good. I guess I’ve got nothing better to do, said the Yamikage with a sarcastic ring.

The two combatants began to converse in whispers. What do you do with this guy? He’s definitely just as strong as us, and we’re some of the strongest warriors in the whole world.

You’re right, we can’t just let this opportunity go to waste. Why don’t we just coerce him to come with us and destroy him when we meet up with our constituents if necessary?

That, indeed, is an unusual proposal, Widder stated.

Stier said to the Yamikage, Hey, how about you come and join our crew? You seem powerful enough to keep with us. That’s not something ordinary people can do, and those tricks of yours are surely impressive. I have no clue how you managed to imitate and add power to our moves. You dodge so fast we can hardly see ya, and you can move right through physical attacks.

Those aren’t ordinary moves, Widder said in a maniacal tone.

The Yamikage relaxed his stance and said very pompously, If you’re serious, then I can tell you two have a keen eye for talent. You two dupes come out of nowhere, attack me, and then want me to join you?

Widder said to Stier, He’s right, we can’t be serious. Do you think they’re just going to let us bring him in like that? Widder was upset, but Stier assured him it would be okay.

If they don’t, we kill him. If they do, it makes us look good, so who cares?

Hey, well, I guess I have nothing else to do. The Yamikage held his arms up and then dropped them. All right, let’s go.

All right. My name is Widder, he said and added, And this is Stier. Why don’t we take a trip then? You can tell us all about the little tricks you can do.

The Yamikage’s Story

In what had felt like short days of coasting vaguely in late evenings, passing during terrifying chilly dark nights through trailless forests, and climbing up steep cliffs, they pushed through in mainly awkward silence to a red sunrise atop a sullen dusky mountain. The Yamikage spoke up after an entire trip of silence. So this is it, huh? Wow, how utterly impressive.

Quiet! Widder barked.

The Yamikage raised his right eyebrow and took a reverse bow with his back. Fine. Sheesh, you two are in a particularly bad mood. I don’t care for that type of attitude.

The trio had reached the two warriors’ base of operations. A sage-scented dark tunnel was hidden within the mountain. The path toward the corridor was covered in stained glass. It had images of people reaching into one another’s stomachs and lifting their bleeding hearts. There were caricatures of moon cycles and star systems. They paced finally to an aesthetically dark church leading to an open dark wood chamber. There were thirteen portraits on the wall, all lit except the one to the left. All right, we’re here. Let’s go see what our cohorts think of you.

The chamber outside had been cloaked as if drawn on, and one can walk right through it. This room had no painting, glass, or wood. It had no appeal. It was only a deep, moist cave, or so it seemed. In the middle was a group conjugating. They were all standing in a circle around one fire sitting atop a rock altar. As they kept walking forward, one would begin to notice the silhouettes of circular tubed, see-through trenches encompassing the floor. It began to smell horrible, and to the Yamikage’s dismay, he noticed that these trenches were filled with human hearts covered by heated coal. They kept walking. Do you ever wonder why being bad can be so simple? said Stier.

No, why? I’m not evil, so I wouldn’t know, said the Yamikage in an aggravated tone.

All you have to do is kill.

They pushed him to the center of the group. We found him wandering around, Widder stated out loud. The group was all symmetrically gathered a few feet from the small fire and from one another. There was also a different type of illumination coming from beneath their feet. Stier and Widder took their place on the stand. They kicked the Yamikage in the middle of the circle, where there was a dimly lit hole in the ceiling that showed it was night, even though it was clearly daytime. It almost seemed like a spotlight, but since none of their faces could be clearly seen, the attention was all on him.

This man is capable of great power. Unfortunately, he was actually able to defeat me and Widder with hardly any effort in a sparring match.

Is that so? said a naturally agitated deep voice.

He claims to not know where he is from, who he is, and by what mechanisms his abnormally extraordinary powers operate. With his mind wide open, we can give him purpose. We can mold his character to our liking and use his strength to kill in the name of our gods.

The Yamikage’s eyebrows shot up; he let his neck wander to glance at all the cloaked and masked figures.

We can show him the ways of the Astronomen, said Widder and Stier together.

What powers have you seen him exhibit exactly? a mysterious alto voice exclaimed. The speaker was clearly female, young, and resolute. The Yamikage stared right at her with wincing eyes, almost giving the impression that he thought he knew her.

He broke a mountain with one punch. He can glitch out of time and space faster than anyone can see. He is able to be transparent and command all the elements in this world with almost no effort, said Widder.

He’s already demonstrated this to us on the way here. I also figured that we can just take him here and all kill him since we wouldn’t want someone this profound running around and ruining our plans, said Stier.

All right, take him with you on your next assignment then. We don’t have much time if we’re to execute our vision as precisely as planned, said the deep voice, taking almost no regard for the Yamikage’s character. He basically ignored them. We are moving to a pivotal point in our operation.

Yamikage was clearly as confused as could be. What’s going on now?

You’re coming with us. Go, and we’ll meet you outside. Here, take this, said the tallest of the group. He flicked his hands toward the Yamikage, and out of ash, a cape with stars was thrown at him.

Hey, not bad. I’d say it’s pretty stylish actually, he said as he draped it across his right shoulder. The group began to give a frightful look, giving the hint that he should just leave at once.

Okay, let’s get a move on, said Widder. They walked out of the cave. Their conversation took some time, and many other members began to emerge. They were shaking hands in odd ways and dashing off into the airy distance.

Okay, well, that was awkward. Did you say something about killing me?

Stier told the Yamikage, Yeah, not going to lie, I was thinking about it.

Yeah, well, I’m thinking about killing you too, said Widder.

All right, well, let’s go then. Try, the Yamikage said as he dashed off. They caught up to him.

Taking leadership already, huh? I like that. You must be a natural, said Stier.

The outlandish trio were making their way down to a rugged town, walking past a succession of giant stone gates. The sight impressed the still somewhat naive Yamikage. This location would be where they would complete their assignment. They kept trekking on, but out of nowhere, a tenacious man roared from the trees above the cliff, ready to confront the group. The two Astronomen were startled enough to jump back, with the Yamikage comically unfazed in place, as they saw a tall man standing before them.

Widder and Stier looked intense and somewhat intimidated. Their brows were contracting, and they were swaying backward. Look at what we got here. If it isn’t the famous Kuwan standing right before our very eyes, said Stier in a cocky tone.

I’ve been onto you, Astronomen, for quite some time now. It’s definitely not your lucky day. I’m going to put a stop to you all right now since you’re becoming such a pain in certain people’s lives, Kuwan said.

After a moment, Widder—glancing at Stier—finally spoke up. Unfortunately, we don’t have time to tango with you. We are on a strict deadline, so if you wouldn’t mind getting out of our way, that’d be great.

Like a chance I’d let that happen. I’ve been chasing you since you burned that last town to the ground and slaughtered all those innocent people, Kuwan explained in an angry crescendo.

Uh, okay, what he’s talking about is starting to make sense, the Yamikage said, scratching his head and looking at the two, clearly missing a clue.

Hey, forget this. There’s no way we can take this guy right here. He’s most likely stronger than us. We’ve got the new guy here, and if we cause a commotion, it’ll attract other warriors and just make things worse, said Stier.

Agreed, let’s get out of here, Widder said while also glaring at the Yamikage. Let’s go. The Yamikage remained planted, crossing his arms, clearly unamused, and didn’t follow.

All right then, go ahead and suit yourself, guys. Don’t say we didn’t warn you, said Stier.

Unless you’re dead, which you’ll definitely be if you fight that guy! yelled Widder.

We won’t forget this, said Stier as the two of them dashed off into the distance, running down the half-grass and dusty canyon.

Kuwan quickly fixed his leer past the Yamikage’s head to see the duo disappear in the distance, which made him agitated. The Yamikage turned to face the apparently highly reputable warrior. So what was that all about? You with them? Kuwan asked.

Kuwan clenched his fist when he heard the Yamikage say, Not exactly. Then he didn’t think twice and charged straight toward the Yamikage. The man had lightning emerging from his fists, and he started speeding off to get in a good range to punch the Yamikage.

The Yamikage multiplied all around the area while moving fast around the man. Flashes of silhouettes were wallpapered around the canyon. Kuwan just stood there aghast while withdrawing his hands, trying to focus on the Yamikage. The man was impressed. Wow, what power is this? he thought out loud.

Dirt and gravel were sprayed like mist from the ground because of how fast the Yamikage was moving. He flew at the man to punch him, and as he went to block, the ground instantly swallowed his feet below the surface, leaving his torso exposed. The Yamikage kicked the man in the face. His hands blocked the kick; the only thing was they were just ricocheted painfully into his face, and he was sent flying twenty to fifty feet off the ground.

Kuwan did a vertical 180 and pointed to the sky. Lightning was shot into his hand from the heavens, even though it was the middle of the day, and like a laser sliced into the environment, leaving a gash through Earth. It was obviously meant to hit the Yamikage, but to him, it felt more like him trying to show off. He turned right, and the Yamikage was right in his face.

With a rock in hand, the Yamikage smashed it across the man’s face, and it was explosive. It erupted and detonated, sending the man flying, while the Yamikage stayed put, unaffected by the blast.

Kuwan suddenly disappeared and reappeared across the valley from the Yamikage. They were both standing on opposite sides of the elevated earth. One could look down and see the giant stone gates crumbling to the floor. Wow, would you look at that! The Yamikage, bewildered at the sight, looked down, so Kuwan shot a straight lightning laser right at him from his right hand.

Within milliseconds, the Yamikage moved in the middle point of the laserlike lightning, grabbed it with his left hand, and flung it right back at the man. Kuwan grabbed it, and he smashed it to the floor. As the debris violently transpired, it was clear that the Yamikage was unscathed and was most likely shielded by some strange aura; it stopped him from certainly dying. His assumption wasn’t correct. The Yamikage was simply immune to everything at times. Wow, you’re tough! It’s no wonder you’re with the Astronomen! he yelled.

The Yamikage dropped to the floor calmly and with a swift motion. Listen, Kuwan, you need to chill out. You’re the one that’s attacking me, and I actually have no clue what you are talking about, said the Yamikage.

Don’t you know? Kuwan began. Those are Astronomen, freaks that go around trying to murder and kill as many innocent people they want just to appease their so-called gods. They use that excuse to rip people’s hearts out no matter what they look like or who they are. All people are sacrifices to them.

The Yamikage looked at him, taken aback in disbelief. His tone lowered in volume. Who? Those guys who all hang hand in hand in a dark cave at the side of a mountain? They really do that to people then. Really, they probably couldn’t slay their way out of animal skin. I actually beat them too. I’m not actually part of them technically though. I just met them, like, three days ago. They’re all actually quite a creepy bunch, not my crowd. He made a checkmark with his hand as he put it to his jaw, taking a long pause. Kuwan was still slightly perspiring from the battle, noticing that the Yamikage was fully unscathed from their short yet intense fight. Frankly, you seem a lot tougher than them. From what I’ve seen, I’d rather have you teach me some things I want to know.

Kuwan was confused and, all of a sudden, furiously angry. Teach you what? If you’re not with them, then why in the world were you hanging out with them? They’re the scum of the earth. All the nations in this world are looking for them. They are number one on all their most wanted lists. I’ve been chasing them for months, and now you go ahead and get in my way!

Your way? What in the world are you talking about? You charged at me, said the Yamikage.

I thought you were one of them obviously, but now you’re just someone who’s in my way, said Kuwan.

Not really. Actually, go ahead and get out of here. Just past this forest, you turn left. You’ll see a big mountain with a creepy entrance—you know, hallway of stained glass, invisible door, you can’t miss it, the Yamikage said in an almost joking way.

All right, well, it’s no use chasing after them now. I want you to tell me everything you know, or else, I’ll slit your throat with this sword, cut off your head as evidence, and burn your body.

Wow, that’s pretty graphic. I like that. Sure, I’ll tell you.

The Yamikage explained how, several days ago, he woke up in a field somewhere with all this apparent tremendous power and no recollection of who he was. He told Kuwan that they invited him to their weird meeting, and that was pretty much all the meaningful interaction he had with that group. Oh really, well, I find that hard to believe. I swear, if you’re lying to me—Kuwan appeared behind the Yamikage, holding the sharp edge of a blade to his throat—I’ll find you and kill you like I would if you were any other Astronoman.

Yamikage stepped backward and just phased through the body. While doing so, he reached his arm forward through his face and grabbed the sword from his hand. So what? Are we done here? Are we just going to try to kill each other all day, or can I get going now?

Kuwan was clearly in check and, although he may have some more tricks up his sleeve, decided to give up for now to search for the fleeing villains. So if you’re not with them, tell me where their hideout is then.

Uh, I already told you. Keep up here. The Yamikage pointed east past the far-reaching forest and toward their highly elevated mountain lair. "There, that’s it. Going to fight them too? I don’t care. I’m