Sword Shamans

1'' Cruelty

Japan, July 13th, 1900

A 13-year-old child named, Jun woke up at 5 AM to get ready for work and prepare breakfast for him and his parents. Ten years ago, his mother began to lose her strength little by little until she was too weak to even breathe properly. She was on her literal deathbed three years ago, but miraculously began recovering, little by little. Still, to this day Jun and his father have been taking care of her as she recovers. His dad works during the night and takes care of her during the day. Jun works during the day and takes care of her during the night.

After Jun began cooking the food he took his shower, got dressed and headed to his mother's room to check up on her. He walked into the room and saw his mother sitting up in her bed, which was pretty bizarre. She is usually still asleep at this time. 

Mother: "Good Morning Jun!"

Jun: "Good Morning-"

She struggled to get to her feet, so he rushed to her side helping her stand and walking over to her chair.

Mother: "Jun, how I am going to get any stronger if you don't let me build my muscles?"

Jun: "Maybe... do it in a safer way..."

Mother: "Nah, I was thinking about going out and battling some bears-"

Jun: "Mom!"

Mother: "Hahaha! I am joking... or am I?"

Jun: "Mom-"

Mother: "I am kidding hahaha!"

Jun: "Hehehe!"

She gave him a big hearty laugh and Jun responded to her with laughter through a big toothy grin. Just seeing him like this brought her immeasurable joy. Imagine just three years ago, the idea of her and her son walking and talking, sharing jokes and being happy was nothing but a dream for her. She never thought she would be able to have a moment like that with her son ever again. Every morning she wondered if she'd even wake up from what might be an amazing dream.

Jun sat her down and got to tidying up the room. Gazing out through her window, her mind drifts to her time on her deathbed. She remembers the feeling of her body slowly giving up. The feeling of her body rapidly losing its hold on reality. Then the weird sensation of relief as she begins passing on. She looked at her son and husband as Jun's screaming and crying became more and more muffled. As her ears went her eyes soon followed, now she could only see the vague blurry image of both of them. She knew it was her time so she tried to stay strong but she really couldn't. She cried not because of her death, but because she will leave her beloved son and husband a lot sooner than she wanted. Jun's Father comes to her side comforting her, gently grasping her hand with a firm grip. He knew he needed to be strong for the sake of her and their son.

Father: "It's ok dear, you can rest now everything will be fine..."

His voice wobbles a bit as the words leave his mouth. Jun and his mother have never heard him like this before. Jun with tears streaming down his face watched as she took her last breath. Father tries his best to comfort his son by being the immovable shoulder for him to cry on. Unfortunately, she passed on with a heart full of regret. What happened next is something she can't explain honestly, she doesn't even know if it was real or just a near-death hallucination.