• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

Jack would never forget his loyal friend.

51

THE KEEP

A huge explosion woke Jack.

Yamato was gone. So too was Akiko.

He ran outside to see all the students dashing to the top of the inner ramparts. Climbing the stairs two at a time, he found Akiko and Yamato on the battlements. The sun was low on the horizon, the sky a bloody red. In the fading light, Jack could see the Tenno-ji Plain was crawling with daimyo Kamakura’s troops, their cannon and siege machines continuing to bombard the defences.

‘Kamakura’s forces have crossed the moat,’ Yamato explained. ‘They’re setting off barrels of gunpowder to destroy the outer wall.’

Another almighty explosion rocked the castle fortifications. Smoke and dust rose from a collapsing outer battlement and the Red Devils could be seen surging through the gap.

‘So it’s over?’ said Jack.

‘Not yet. They still have to fight their way through the castle complex,’ replied Akiko. ‘Remember, no one has ever taken Osaka Castle.’

The students watched as Kamakura’s army fought a war of attrition. Fierce sword battles broke out between thousands of samurai in and around the battlements as the two sides fought for ground. The Red Devils were intent on reaching the inner bailey, but their progress was slowed by the winding narrow roads of the castle’s outer fortifications. Every gate and outpost was hard won and their losses quickly mounted up.

By the time the sun was dipping behind the horizon, daimyo Kamakura’s advance had come to a standstill.

‘Look! The castle’s on fire!’ said Cho, pointing to the west side of the inner fortifications.

‘But the Red Devils haven’t even breached that section,’ said Yamato in astonishment. ‘We must have a traitor.’

‘It’s more likely to be ninja,’ corrected Akiko, giving Jack a knowing look.

Flames rose from the area of the castle kitchens, an ominous orange glow against the darkened sky. Fanned by the wind, the fire spread rapidly, causing confusion and panic among Satoshi’s troops. Daimyo Kamakura’s forces took immediate advantage of the chaos, breaking through the defensive lines and forcing their way into the inner bailey.

Suddenly the parapet to Jack’s right exploded in a hailstorm of rock and cannonshot. The students all threw themselves to the ground as another cannonball demolished a large section of the rampart. Jack dragged Akiko and Yamato to their feet and they stumbled down the damaged staircase. Screams and shouts of panic erupted from the young samurai. Masamoto and his sensei ran into the courtyard, rallying the students.

‘To the keep!’ he bellowed.

Grabbing their weapons and packs from the barracks, the young samurai followed. They ran through the inner bailey towards their final stronghold. Jack glanced behind. The Red Devils were already battling their way through the rearguard. As the students raced up the cobbled road, Jack knew the safety promised by the keep was only a few more turns away. But the enemy were closing in. Fast.

‘Hurry!’ urged Jack, seeing Cho fall behind.

The Red Devil with the twisted gold horns hacked his way past the remaining guards, his nodaichi’s immense blade slicing straight through three of them in a single sweep.

The road narrowed as the students neared the keep’s inner courtyard. Masamoto was at the gateway, ensuring they all made it to safety.

Jack risked another glance over his shoulder. The gold-horned Red Devil was now hefting a long spear, launching it at the retreating young samurai.

‘Look out!’ screamed Jack to Cho.

The spear spiralled towards her.

At the last moment, Yamato pushed Cho out of the way.

Its cruel barb struck him instead and he fell to the ground.

The Red Devil roared with satisfaction and, wielding his nodaichi, bore down on the wounded Yamato.

Jack turned and ran back to his fallen friend.

Yamato was crawling desperately towards him, the spear still protruding from his side.

Drawing both his swords, Jack charged at the enemy.

The Red Devil was ready for him. As Jack cut down with