We stood in the crisp winter breeze, staring at the castle, and the tempting smell of chicken and rice wafted by. I asked Hamorei if he knew what time it was. The white haired man looked up and said that it was evening. Helpful, isn't he? I sighed, and turned to see Jekusu waving at me, gesturing for me to turn around. I did, and beheld Hida Makana in a small camp, cooking. I couldn't believe my eyes. I hadn't seen her since the battle at Otosan Uchi, and I had feared her dead.
Fuji strode to his sister, and I followed. As I approached, I beheld the most incredible sword I have ever seen hanging at her side. More incredible even than Kandaisa, Kakita Toshimoko's sword that I keep in my pack. I fear to wear that sword openly, but will not hesitate to use it if need be. Hida Makana's sword was gold, with white lacing, and inlayed with mother of pearl cranes. At a closer look, I discover that each feather on each crane was cut and sculpted out of abalone and inlayed on the saya. It was breathtaking. I almost didn't hear what Fuji and his sister were talking about. She was saying something about her quest, and that she didn't know where to go from here. Fuji invited her to go with us, inside the castle. As he said this, Bayushi Asamara, the scorpion general who accompanied us, approached. He asked who this samurai-ko was, and if we should kill her. After harsh looks from Fuji, Makana, Kuno and myself, he backed away, mumbling something that I couldn't hear.
Asamara began handing out packages wrapped in black silk to everyone. I opened mine to find a set of black clothing, inlayed with light chain mail armor. Black clothes that I have seen the so-called Nina wear. For a society of people that don't exist, they have been prominent in my life. I asked Asamara how we were supposed to remain unseen in these blatant costumes, as we are not trained to do such things. He insisted that he had his ways to keep us hidden, and that he couldn't allow us to give ourselves away so easily. Couldn't? He has something riding on our success, but what it is, I don't know. I offered an alternative way into the castle, by way of making Asamara look exactly like Satsume. The scorpion looked at me, insulted by the very suggestion. I shrugged and asked him to keep it in mind.
I changed into the silly black clothes, and looked up to see Fuji already changed, and strapping his armor on over the top of it. Hamorei did not change, but remained wearing his bright blue kimono. Does that not defeat the purpose of our efforts? Makana accompanied us as well, without the assassin clothes. Kuno wore them, after much debate and persuasion. He was not happy about this turn of events, and didn't hesitate to let us know his feelings about sneaking around. Silly Lion. Did he expect to storm the castle, rescue the women, and return alive single handedly?Bayushi Asamara led us down a dry riverbed for a while, and we stopped under a bridge. He began pulling stones from the under side of the bridge, revealing a dark tunnel behind. He asked if we were just going to stand there, and Kuno leapt forward to help pull the stones out of the way. Always trying to make himself look good, he is.
Asamara held up two gaijin oil lamps, and asked if anyone had something to light them with. I was amused that he did not, since he was the one who knew they were needed. Jekusu shot off her mouth, saying that I could light them by talking to the fire spirits. Easy enough, true, but why did she volunteer me? Makana surely had mundane ways of lighting fire, since she was cooking over one. I do want to live up to expectations though, so I accepted the lamps and began preparing my scrolls. Hamorei approached, and asked if I wanted him to help, I shrugged, saying this spell was an easy one, basic even for a novice. He shrugged and quietly said that he didn't know any healing or offensive spells, so my power might be better utilized there. To save my own energy, I handed him the lanterns and let him summon the fire spirits to light them.
We stepped into the tunnel, which was small for most, but I managed without stooping much. He lead us through the dark tunnel, winding through twisting corridors. I noticed that the stones in the walls were strangely shaped, cut at angles and placed oddly. I wasn't quite sure what to make of it. I asked Asamara how old this tunnel was, and he said old. Older than his grandfather, but he couldn't give a more precise response than that. I mentioned that it looked like it could be easily collapsed. I think I heard a grunt or a mutter, but he didn't respond.
We came upon a fork in the tunnel, and Asamara said he was going to take a dangerous short cut. He handed Kuno his lantern and sprinted down the corridor to the right after telling us to follow the left, and we would find a door, but to be careful and look through the door before stepping out. He also warned us not to follow him. My mind was screaming at this point. I don't trust that man, and he was abandoning us. I heard the metallic sound of steal being drawn, and looked over to see Jekusu holding her wakazashi out. She did not trust the man either, but we had no choice but to follow his directions. Now I know that what Jekusu meant before, about knowing that there may be a trap only makes it more necessary to step into it, but knowing will help us prevail. I don't know for sure if it's a trap, but I do know what must be done.After walking down the tunnel for a while, I heard the sounds of a skirmish ahead. The tunnel was only wide enough for one at a time, and Fuji's frame filled the space in front of me. I couldn't see what was going on. When things seemed to quiet down, Fuji said something about Tangle Weed, a Shadowlands creature. Said that we needed to chop it up into bits. Hearing that shadowlands creatures had made their way through the ground and into the tunnel did not come as a huge surprise to me. Obviously, Satsume gathered the gateway stones here, and opened the portal to the shadowlands. I was suddenly grateful to those at the temple when I was in the Unicorn Lands. I learned many new spells, and it appeared that Jade Strike might be needed in this quest.
I heard Jekusu suggest that Makana stay back and protect the shugenja while they deal with the Tangle Weed. Fuji grunted and said that as many swords as possible would be needed. I drew Kandaisa as Fuji turned and cocked my head to one side, asking him if my sword would be sufficient. I would have tried to brush past him, to assist immediately, if he didn't fill the tunnel so efficiently. He shook his head at me and frowned, saying that it was a noble thing, to offer like that, but I am shugenja, and shouldn't undertake such dangerous things. I think he said more, but I tuned it out. I love him dearly, but really, he should stop acting like I'm some helpless child. I've taken heads with swords before, even in his presence, but everyone seems to think my only skills involve scrolls and words.
Suddenly, he heard Jekusu and Kuno hacking away at the Weed, and he grunted and ran to help. I couldn't help but smile. This time, I was pleased with Jekusu's headstrong sensibilities. We quickly hacked our way through the tunnel, and stopped at a door made of woven reeds. Kuno pushed on the door, and it swung wide open. Light cascaded into the tunnel, and Kuno shouted back at us that it was all clear, and to move out. It echoed through the small space. I could have killed him right then, the fool.
We filtered out into the hall, and I knew we were on the second floor of the castle. Deciding to work our way upward, we closed the door, which became all but invisible in the woven reed walls. Carefully making our way down the hall, we turned a corner and saw six bushi, and Asami being dragged away by three women wearing black veils. Asami was dressed in a wedding gown.
I immediately began a teleportation spell, to bring Asami from their hands, behind me. Safe. Jekusu, Kuno, Fuji and Makana jumped forward to fight the six men. As I looked at my scroll, I noticed a man pulling back to throw a yari in my direction. I dropped my scroll and leapt to the side, and the yari skidded to a halt down the hallway. It had been easy enough to dodge, but delayed my spell by precious moments. I looked up, and saw Asami being dragged around a corner. With her out of my line of site, my spell became impossible. I grabbed the scroll and thrust it back in my sleeve. Seeing Makana facing off with a large bushi, I decided to help. She was not succeeding in penetrating his armor. I stepped forward and took off the man's head in one cut with Kandaisa. I hope I did not shame her. This is a war now, and we need her alive.
I saw Kuno run down the hall after Asami, and was a bit surprised to see Kakita Mizake running after them. I had wondered where she had gotten off to. Following them was Matsu Shuriko. I'm sure Kuno was glad to see her.
Jekusu was on the ground, with a yari in her belly. At a glance, I knew her to be alive, for the moment. Three of the enemy bushi lay decapitated on the ground. The other three, wounded to the point of death, suddenly began to rise from the floor. I could sense the shadow in this. Some sort of Zombies, I was sure.
Suddenly, the air grew thick and I could feel the work of magic. I glanced over and saw Hamorei finishing a spell. Everyone seemed to move very slow, but me and Fuji. Fuji grinned and took his tetsubo to the head of the nearest zombie, and I beheaded another with Kandaisa. With all of the zombies decapitated, I rushed to Jekusu's side. I noticed Hida Makana rushing after Kuno and Mizake as I leaned over to heal my cousin once again. Jekusu gave me a brief look of gratitude and ran down the hall, surely thirsty for blood. I felt a rush of cold air, and I knew that whatever spell had slowed our enemies and sped up my own movements had expired. I looked at Hamorei, who was impossible to read. Fuji, Hamorei and I chased after the others, hoping they hadn't gotten themselves killed in our absence.
We found ourselves bursting into a courtroom, and my eyes set upon a horrific sight. Satsume and Asami were kneeling at an alter at the far side of the room Twenty to thirty goblins surrounded us, as well as a large number of bushi wearing the black mon. Near the alter, a gateway to the shadowlands was open. Each pagoda like statue stood in a circle. Those statues that I recovered from the hands of evil twice in my life to no avail. I lost my sensai for one, and yet here they were. The ritual complete, the gate open, and a handsome man was walking forward, toward the alter through the gateway. I felt my skin crawl as I realized that this man was Fu Leng. I will never forget his words at that moment. "My servant Satsume," he said. "I thought my wedding would be uninterrupted." His voice was deep and powerful. My breath was taken away for a moment as his words sunk in. His marriage to Asami? And I had thought all along that Satsume had intended to wed her. Fu Leng the legal Emperor of the Emerald Empire? I could not envision a more terrifying future for our land.
The air around me thickened again, and I recognized Hamorei's chanting voice. Everyone around me slowed to a stop. I saw Kuno and Jekusu run toward the alter, screaming for Asami and Kimi. Hida Makana drew her fantastic katana and yelled at Satsume. "This is for Hida Kasada!" She cried. He voice rang in my ears and I knew her to be either the bravest soul I have ever seen, or the most foolish. The blade of her katana shone in the light, revealing it's jade edge. I cast The Fires of Purity on the courageous Samurai-ko, to assist in her vengeance.
As the three bushi reached the alter, I looked beyond them, to the Dark Lord of the Shadow. I cried out, revealing his identity to my comrades. Mizake, standing near me, nocked an arrow, aiming for one of the pagoda statues in the circle, determined to break the link between the castle and the shadowlands. As she did, I concentrated my energy, and I cast Jade Strike on Fu Leng. I suppose you could say I'm learning to be foolish from my bushi companions. The spell was a success, and I'll never forget the look of shock, pain and anger on his face. As the spell hit home, Fuji leapt into the circle and swung his tetsubo at Fu Leng. As he did, Mizake's arrow hit the pagoda statue, and is skittered out of place in the circle. The gateway snapped shut.
It felt as if a tetsubo hit me in the chest as I saw Fuji standing in the shadowlands with Fu Leng when the gateway closed. At that moment, screaming Fuji's name, I died. My throat closed in, my heart stopped. What is the promise of a Fortune in the Shadowlands? My love, the man I am engaged to, is somewhere in the Shadowlands feebly attacking Fu Leng himself. Not even the sons and daughters of the Sun and Moon could subdue this fallen God. What can a lone man do? Every ounce of strength within me drained away. I became numb and cold. I would give my life to turn back time and bring Fuji back. So much at risk, so much to lose here, and all I could think about was Hida Fujizaka. Our future together, foretold by the fortunes... cut off by a single heroic moment. My stomach churned; I wanted to drop to my knees and wretch. I desperately wanted to rush to the circle and replace the pagoda into position. I would have if I thought it would help, but the spell was broken. I knew not the ritual to restore the gateway.
I remember turning and seeing Satsume standing over Hida Makana's fallen body. Fuji's mother asked me to protect her son. I failed. I knew I had to do whatever I could to protect Makana.
With cold, heartless vengeance, I released another Jade Strike, hitting Satsume with perfect precision. Kakita Mizake had run to aid Makana, and stood there, wielding Makana's blade. Satsume became enveloped in a crust of jade. This surprised me. That is not the normal reaction to that spell. Had I modified it in my cold anger?
Jekusu had grabbed Kimi, who appeared to be unconscious, and Kuno grabbed Asami. He didn't get far, when he discovered chains holding her down. From nowhere, Bayushi Asamara showed up and picked the locks holding Asami down, and Kuno swept Asami from the room, leaving Makana, Mizake, Hamorei and I. I was very shocked to see Asamara's return. I thought he had abandoned us.
The jade encasing Satsume began to break apart, and as it did, a creature emerged from the shell. Two more arms stretched out, and a third eye opened on Satsume's forehead. He grew to twice the size of his original self. Mizake froze in terror at the sight of Oni no Satsume. Hamorei tugged on my kimono sleeve, suggesting we leave now. I nodded absently when I saw Mizake pick up Makana and drag her toward us. My mind was racing and my heart beating faster than it ever had before. Shaking, I followed Hamorei from the room. From the corner of my eye, I saw Mizake set Makana down and turn with the jade sword in hand, lifting it as if to attack the oni stepping toward her. Bayushi Asamara had already attempted to slow down the oni, and was yelling insistently that we run.
The sound of rushing winds encased us as Hamorei's spell expired, and the room full of goblins and bushi began to move. I was relieved to see Mizake do the sensible thing. She tossed the Hida sword to Kuno, and picked up Makana. We fled to the tunnel in the wall. As Kuno dove in, he threw one of the oil lanterns out, toward the hoard of enemies closing in. It shattered and flames rose from the oil spilled over the floor.
We hastily retreated through the tunnels to our horses who were waiting patiently in the dry river bed. I swore to return for Fuji. I will get him back. I don't know how. If I die in the process, it makes things all the better, than living without him.
In the distance, I could see our troops gathering. I could sense storms brewing overhead. As we rode to the encampments, I rode next to Makana, who was draped over her horse. I healed her as I so often healed my cousin. She looked glad to be alive. Makana. So full of passion, this young samurai-ko. I rode in silence and cold numbness, and hardly noticed Jekusu pull up beside me. She got my attention, and motioned for me to look at Kimi, who was on Jekusu's horse with her. She was unconscious, but her eyes were open. She was not dead, that I could tell, but have never seen anything like this. Perhaps a poison? I couldn't tell. After the brutal murders of Kitsu Kuno's mother and father, I refused to let Kimi die too.
We arrived at camp, and I headed straight for the Scorpion troops. I demanded to talk to whoever was in charge. They insisted that Kakita Mizake was in charge. This nearly floored me. Why was Mizake commanding a Scorpion army? I shrugged it off, and asked to talk to the next in line. The belligerent bastard refused to talk to me without permission from his general. I stormed off in search for Mizake. If anyone knows about poisons, a Scorpion would.
I found Mizake with a gathering of generals and daimyos, all in the presence of Asami, who had evidently been told of my discovery that she is, within all rights, the Empress. Apparently those within Satsume's castle have taken all the living Matsu's left and have strung them from the castle walls. There was much discussion on what to do about this. General Akodo said it wouldn't bother him to storm the castle with them hanging there, for there are always casualties in war... I believe he has a personal grudge against the Matsu family. Asami, as I will still call here in this record, for I know not how to address her. She was like a sister to me when we traveled together, and now she is the Empress. Anyway, Asami ordered Mizake to set her Scorpion troops to devising a way to get the Matsus down by morning.
I followed Mizake back to her troops, and asked her to order her men to follow my instructions and to help me with Kimi. After much frustration and back talk, I led a Scorpion back to where Kimi lie. He was very tight lipped with suggestions or answers to my questions until I mentioned that she is Kitsu Kuno's sister. At that, he suggested we take her back to the Scorpion encampment, and they would administer to her there. This they did, with strange concoctions they brewed from ground up beans. I'm uncertain of what it is, but the scent was somewhat familiar.
I realized I was still wearing my strange black clothes, and I rushed to change. I received a message from Asami, requesting my presence in her tent. I was not looking forward to it, I'll admit this. I do not fear her, I adore her. And I know now how to act with her. She is far greater than I, and I have no knowledge of such things. After changing my clothes, I went to Asami's tent, and was a bit surprised to see Mizake was summoned as well. I mentioned how frustrating Scorpions are, and that she might want to watch her back before we entered the tent.
We entered, and I bowed as I had seen people do when we were in the Emperor's court. Jekusu was standing behind Asami. What a great honor, to be Asami's guard so quickly. Jekusu must be very pleased to have made such an impression on our Empress. Although, I don't recall seeing Jekusu's jade naginata. I was certain she'd always use that when protecting the throne, for the honor of Shinjo Ami, her ancestor who still haunts her to his day.
Asami said that someone had insulted her, and her ability to rule in open court today. I was shocked, if that's at all possible after today's events. She wanted to have our advice on what the punishment for such an act would be. I thought for some time, and explained that I didn't know why I was being asked. I am not bushi, and not knowledgeable of such things. Asami merely looked at me in that way of hers, making me feel like a child, but loved at the same time. How does she do that? She called me wise. The only other person who called me wise... was Fujizaka.
Just then Mizake broke down. She apologized for letting her emotions take over today. She begged forgiveness for acting so dishonorable. Surprised, I looked at Mizake. There was something in her eyes, something that was strange for a samurai-ko. Dare I say, a look that hinted at more than admiration for the Empress before us?
Asami asked me to come up with a punishment for defiling the throne like that. But I am nobody. How can I be the one to sentence someone for their crimes? Nevertheless, I didn't care anymore. I don't' know if it's really Mizake that must bear my sentence, or someone else. Perhaps it is me, for I left Asami's presence earlier without asking permission. It doesn't matter. Whoever committed the crime will be forced to shave their head and formally and publicly swear fealty to the Sun Throne. Asami agreed, and said it would be at the Spring Festival. We were then dismissed.
I write this now, and will spend a good portion of this night praying, and casting magic. I will fix Fujizaka's Ancestral katana tonight. There are no more tears to spill, so through blurred dry eyes, I study my scrolls. I will do this for him, be he alive or dead, and when I discover his fate, I will join him. Alive or dead.