I spent a good portion of the evening restoring and improving the Hida Ancestral katana. After melding the blade back together with Fires from the Forge, I performed a ritual on the blade called Immortal Steel. This ritual hardened the sword, increasing it's worth and it's effectiveness in battle. It is a ritual I have known for quite some time, but haven't had a chance to perform it before. It is difficult to cast, and in most instances many shugenja would gather to complete the spell. I refused myself that luxury. This was something I had to do on my own.
After several hours of concentration, I completed my task, and quickly fell asleep in my tent. It was a long and lonely night. I miss Fuji's comforting presence at my side.
In the morning, I rose and quickly dressed. Knowing there would be battle soon, I adorned myself with the black shinobi armor under my kimono. I have never had armor before, and if this can increase my chances of living, so be it. I tucked Kandaisa in my kimono, and wearing Fujizaka's wakazashi, I picked up the Hida katana and made my way to the Crab encampment. When I emerged from my tent, I nearly stumbled and fell from a pile of things at my doorstep. Upon inspection, I was baffled, flattered and hurt at the same time, to discover they were gifts one would receive in courting for marriage. A pile of around thirty such gifts at my doorstep. Some kind of sick, cruel joke? Or were these gifts sincere? It didn't matter anyhow. I left them on the ground, waded through, and continued to the Crab encampment.
I was surprised, and upset to find that Fuji's sister, Hida Makana was missing. Where could she have gone? And on such an important morning? I settled for the next in line, a man who I suspect would have been Fuji's First Commander.
I dropped to my knees and presented the man with the sword, for honor in the Hida name, I asked that he take the sword into battle. The burly man refused to accept. He told me he had heard the story, and that I should keep the sword until I can return it to the right bloodline. I stood dumbfounded for a moment, but regained my composure, mostly due to my curiosity. I asked him what story he was talking about. He told me Kitsu Kuno told a story last night. The story of our first encounter with the true form of Satsume. Oni no Satsume. Kuno told this story with great skill. He told of Fuji's sacrifice, leaping into the closing portal. To my great surprise, Kuno even mentioned me in this story. That must explain the silly trinkets left at my tent. But Fuji's sacrifice?
He is not dead, he is coming back. He is not dead, he is coming back. I chant this over and over in my head. Perhaps if I say it enough, I will start to believe it. I asked the man then, if it would not be a dishonor for me to wear the katana into battle. He agreed that I should. Deep in my heart, I know that this is how I wanted things to end up. That I would be the one to carry Fuji's honor and revenge into battle. So why do I feel so awful?
I turned to return to my tent for a while, and was met by Hamorei and a Dragon shugenja. They informed me that Empress Asami wished to lead the charge on the castle, and desired my presence. I nodded and made my way to Asami. I had a feeling she might do something like this. She feels like she needs to prove herself worthy to be Empress to these soldiers. I approached her, and saw she was wearing the Imperial armor. It was too big, of course, but was effectively padded to make up the difference.
Kuno, Jekusu and Mizake were already there, arguing the ludicrous idea of someone who has never seen battle to lead the charge with Asami. There was no convincing her of any other course of action. And Kuno's life is on the line. It appears that General Akodo had demanded seppuku of Kuno, if Empress Asami gets so much as a scratch in this battle.
I sat and listened quietly while they discussed strategy and tactics. I was surprised when Asami turned to me, and asked me if we could get the gates open, during the charge. After discussing it with Hamorei and the Dragon, Agasha Doshawa (The man who accompanied Hamorei in summoning me to Asami's side), we concluded that it would be easily done, and even instantaneously done. Doshawa shared with Hamorei and I a secret Dragon spell, threatening our very existence if we were to let loose the secret that he gave up. I am not sure what to think of this Doshawa man. It seems he is a magistrate for Lady Asami's lands while she is traveling in the summer, and just arrived this morning, as he had just heard of the upcoming battle, and Asami's new title.
He taught us a spell, that transforms an element into another element. Very powerful indeed. Our plan is to turn the doors to water as our cavalry rushes in. It is nearing time to battle, and I must therefore cease my writing for now. My heart beats quickly at the thought that this may be the end. Or the beginning. And what of Fujizaka? I will stop else I drive myself over the edge with such thoughts. May the Fortunes favor our blades this day.
Before we began riding forth, I pulled Kakita Mizake aside, and presented her with Kandaisa. She bears the name Kakita, and has far more right to it than I. I know Jekusu will be very upset to learn I have given her gift to me away, but I will deal with that later. I hope she will understand that I should not carry a katana. I may know how to use one, but it has become very clear to me that my purpose in this incarnation lies elsewhere. I thought once I could become a master at both blade and scroll. I see the folly in that now. So I passed this Kakita treasure back into the rightful family. Mizake may have been the one to close the portal yesterday, but I do not blame her for Fujizaka's entrapment. She did what anyone would have done, for the good of the Empire.
Hamorei rode next to me for a short time, telling me that Megumi intends to keep his promise. I gripped Kiseki's reins tight, and stared straight ahead. How? Keep his promise? Fuji is lost in the shadowlands... One year. One year was the promise, and I would be married to Hida Fujizaka. I steeled my nerves and looked back at Hamorei. He smiled faintly, and said that Megumi is disappointed in my lack of faith. I bit my lip and nodded. "So am I." I said, and urged Kiseki forward.
We rode straight to the castle walls, I with one hand on my scroll satchel, and my other clutching the Dragon spell we were counting on to turn the door to water. As we rode forward, a volley of arrows began showering down upon us. I suspected this might happen and quickly pulled the spell delivered to me by Hamorei when we first met. The Breath of Osano-Wo expelled from my lungs, sending the arrows flying back at the enemy at hurricane speeds, and clattering harmlessly on the ground. Had I concentrated harder, I could have taken many lives, sending those arrows back, but speed was essential as we were coming upon the gate quickly. With Hamorei and Doshawa's help, I cast Transform, and the doors fell in a sheet of water.
Battle ensued as we rode through the gates, and toward Oni no Satsume's main threshold. I was nicked by an arrow, but was merely a scratch. I engaged in this battle as I imagine Fuji might have. Using his katana, I fought almost like a real bushi would. This day, I believe, will be the last of me wielding a katana. I did this in Fuji's honor.
Soon, with sounds of battle behind us, Asami, and our small group stood within Oni no Satsume's castle. I remember Asami asking what we should do now. She must have had a hard time with battle, having never seen it before. Kuno nearly fell from his horse in surprise. He demanded why she didn't have a plan. She shrugged and explained she didn't think we would make it this far.
Hamorei called everyone's attention. He grinned and said he had been to the courtroom before, and suggested opening a walk way there through the void. I looked at him in dismay. Last time he cast the spell, it took two hours. We had mere minutes before backup would arrive. He grinned and asked me if I still had the sake Megumi had given to me before the battle at Otosan Uchi. I nodded, but explained it doesn't work anymore. It's magic is gone. He began to shake his head, and I understood what he meant. I promptly pulled the bottle from my saddlebags... I'm not sure what possessed me to keep it. I'm certainly glad I did though, for Hamorei works directly with Megumi. A servant of the Fortunes. He was able to bring the magic back. We all partook of the sake, and Hamorei set to casting Walking the Ways. He had the passage complete in mere minutes, and we rushed through.
I emerged at the other side before I realized that neither Hamorei or Empress Asami had come through the gate. Perhaps that was for the best. The vision before me made me tremble. A group of ogres were chanting around the circle of pagoda statues, obviously trying to open the gateway again. Hida Makana was caught in what looked like a huge spider web, perhaps the work of a Kumo, a terrifying race of man-sized shape shifting spiders. She appeared to be unconscious. Oni no Satsume stood between us and Makana. Beside Makana, embedded in the wall, was Makana's exquisite white blade. Everyone had guessed by now that Makana's blade was the one and only blade that could take the life of Oni no Satsume. Kuno, Mizake and Jekusu ran forward, screaming battle cries, to attack the oni, and recover the blade. I unrolled Jade Strike, the only spell in my collection that would be of any use to me in this battle. The oni struck out at me, missing me by a thread. My spell unleashed as Mizake grabbed Makana's blade and Jekusu dodged a fatal blow from the dark creature.
Oni no Satsume bellowed in pain as Jade Strike hit home. Agasha Doshawa called lightening to the oni, but I don't think it had any effect on him. The tainted beast stood, and his wounds began to close as Jekusu struck at him with her jade naginata. Reeling in pain, the oni fell to his knees, and Mizake thrust at him with the legendary blade. She missed her aim, but regained her stance to take another attack. Kuno and Doshawa made there way about the room, killing ogres and goblins. Jekusu killed two of the chanting ogres as I turned and killed the last. Kuno and Doshawa began cutting Makana free from the spider web as Mizake severed the head of Oni no Satsume from his body with Hida Makana's sword. Just then, our troops finally burst into the room, along with Empress Asami and Hamorei. We were successful.
Doshawa healed Makana a bit, and she regained consciousness, but her wounds were still great, and she couldn't move. I stepped forward and healed her to near perfect condition. As Kakita Mizake presented the blade to Makana, I began gathering the pagoda statues and wrapping them up. Hamorei stepped to my side. He told me he thought he should take those. I know what he was thinking. He thought I would try to open the gateway to go after Fujizaka, I'm certain of it. I told him I intended to give them to Asami. He smiled and nodded, but said he knows of another who would be happy to care for them. I understood perfectly. "A certain crane?" I asked. He nodded. Megumi is the best choice under the circumstances.We left the castle, and Kuno seemed sour. He ordered his troops to break camp, and they refused to do so until they received Imperial command.
We were summoned before Asami, who invited us to stay at Otosan Uchi during Winter Court. She also made her desire to have everyone attend the Spring Festival known. Jekusu took what is left of her small clan, and headed to a small plot of land given to her by Kuno, to settle herself. Kuno left, who knows where. I believe Hamorei and Kakita Mizake will be spending winter in Otosan Uchi. Agasha Doshawa has agreed to become a servant of the fortunes, as Hamorei is. I accompanied Hida Makana and the Crab samurai back south.
Hida-sama accepted me into her home with open arms. She was very surprised when I presented her with Fuji's Katana, in one piece. It appears that Makana told everyone about the sword breaking. She has also heard the story told by Kitsu Kuno. Word travels fast, no? I know not what my plans are for the time being. But I will study with the local shugenja this winter. And, of course, I will return and attend the Spring Festival as was requested by the Empress. One does not refuse a request such as that... especially since it is very likely I will see a few people shaving their heads and swearing fealty to the throne. A punishment designed by me. Suitable, I think... especially since it is very likely that unknowingly I have dishonored the throne and will be required to partake in my own punishment. One can never tell.