A Wasp, growing ever more desperate, hurries northward toward the Dragon lands, seeking the advice he believes he needs on a quest to save his lord's soul. The man he seeks is not there however, having travelled away on wings on vengeance, but that is another's tale. And following on the Wasp's heels is a shadow not his own.

And in the dark places, the Shadow waits.

****

The Wasp, a young, angry, determined man named Issekigan, heads north moving from town to town through the Crane lands, rarely stopping for more than a few hours to catch some sleep. And as he draws near the borders of the Dragon provinces, his shadow takes notice.

****

In an inn, lying on the road to the City of Lies, a man wearing simple clothing and bearing no mon rises from his seat. Bowing to his host, he makes his goodbyes.

"Bayushi-san, I must take my leave of you once again. Once more I must see to my master's interests."

"Hai, Rikimaru-san, I too understand the call of duty. But one day, perhaps, you might explain to me why a self-confessed ronin speaks of a master and serves him with such loyalty."

"Perhaps I will, Hituro-san, but for now I must depart. I have a long journey ahead."The ronin shouldered his pack and left the inn. Once out of sight of the building and all alone on the road, he discarded the form he wore in favour of that of a crow and sped northward, his eyes fixed on the horizon.

****

Issekigan awoke slowly as if reluctant to return to the waking world. Once awake, he bathed and dressed before venturing outside to find the village headman waiting for him.

"Koban-wa, Akuro. I thank you for your hospitality."

"Thank you, Issekigan-sama. I trust you slept well?"

"Iie, I did not. My sleep was troubled by strange dreams in which a man who I could not see offered me the goal I seek."

"That does not sound too troubling a dream, Issekigan-sama."

"It came at too high a price, Akuro. Yet a price I fear I will have to pay."

"I am but a peasant, sama. I could not guess at the meanings of such omens."

"Bah, perhaps I am putting too much belief in superstition. It matters not. How far to Shiro Kitsuki?"

"A few days travel, Issekigan-sama, but you will not be able to reach it. The way to Last Step Castle is not easy. I suggest you stop at the town beneath the mountains and seek help there."

"Wise words, Akuro. I shall heed your advice. I must be on my way. I have lost too much time already."

"Fare well, Issekigan-sama." Issekigan hefted his belongings onto his back and followed the road north. And the thing wearing Akuro's shape smiled.

****

The mountains loomed over the town as an impenetrable barrier, save to those who its secret ways. "There is no way to cross those peaks." thought Issekigan as he stared up at the heights from the road leading into town. "I will need help."

****

"But Kitsuki-san, I need more information."

"I have told you all I know, Wasp - carry some crystal. I know nothing more, nor do I wish to."

"Then show me the way to Shiro Kitsuki where I can learn more."

"Ridiculous. You have no business there. The magistrates are too busy to help one man on a selfish quest."

"I came to find Kitsuki Hamesu. He can tell me what I wish to know. Now tell me how to get there."

"Hamesu? How do you know of him?"

"When I started as a magistrate, I spent some time in his company. Now I need his help. For the third time, tell me how to reach your castle!"

"Iie. I will not. I will tell you this though. Hamesu travelled south some time ago. I know not where he goes - only that his mind is not on the mysteries of Morikage, a fortress abandoned by even the evil that hid the Emperor."

"Then... then I shall bother you no more, Kitsuki-sama. Good day."

Issekigan bowed to the magistrate and turned to walk away across the town square. Now that he had failed to find the help he needed, he had no choice but to search the forests of the shadow city without the foreknowledge he had hoped for. As Issekigan headed out of town, his thoughts were disturbed by a loud call.

"Issekigan-sama!"

Turning, he saw a young man in the coulours of the Dragon. His keen eyesight picked out the mon of the Kitsuki on the man's left shoulder. As the Dragon approached, Issekigan greeted him.

"Koban-wa, Dragon-sama. How is it that you know my name?"

"So suspicious for one so young. I merely heard of you from my kinsman in the town."

"And you would be?"

"Kitsuki Yugori."

"And why have you followed me out here?"

"To give you the information you sought. Information about the Darkness."

"I'm listening."

"It will seek to corrupt you even as you seeks its secrets. In trying to find your daimyo you expose yourself to it and it will seek a way in."

"Then how do I protect myself?"

"Emotion. Strong emotion will impede its invasion. If you remain calm it will absorb you completely. Focus on your mission and, if nothing else, your hatred of the Darkness - hate it for stealing your lord. Use your anger and hatred - it will make you strong."

Issekigan eyed the Dragon warily. "How do you know so much?"

"I studied with Kitsuki Kaagi himself. Together we sought to unravel the secrets of the Shadow."

"I see. I thank you for your advice, Yugori-san. I would talk with you further but I have lost too much time already."

Issekigan bowed to the Dragon abd continued on the road east toward the Phoenix lands. As the Dragon watched, his features ran like water leaving a blank shell of flesh until, eventually, the features of the ronin known as Rikimaru emerged. "Yes, Wasp. You must hurry. You have tarried too long and your destiny awaits."

****

Now one man heads east to save a soul at the risk of his own with shadows converging on him at every step, as an evil presence fouls the Imperial City, an army rallies against the Darkness under the banner of a kami and a mortal issues a challenge to a God.

****

In the darkness sournounding Mori Kage Toshi, Issekigan searched for his lord, bow drawn and ready.

"I will find him." he told himself. "Nothing can keep him from me."

As he moved he reminded himself constantly how much the clan had suffered since the disappearance of Tsuruchi, and how the evil that his in this forsaken city would be made to pay for that.

Lost in thought, as he attempted to keep his anger running high, Issekigan nearly did not see the shadowy form drop from the trees. As it leapt toward him, he reacted with a speed he did knot know he posessed. The arrow flew straight and true, pinning the creature to the tree behind it.

"Where is he?" Issekigan screamed at the creature. "Where have you taken him?"

"You will never know, brother." came the reply as the creature melted away into shadows.

"What had it meant? It called me brother. What did that mean?" he thought. Despondent, he sank to rest against a tree.

"What if they do not have him? What if I have thrown everything away to cross the Empire on a fool's errand? But no. They must have him. Why else would he have not returned to us?"

His courage bolstered by these thoughts, Issekigan stood once more, prepared his bow and resumed his search.

****

Hours turned to days and Issekigan travelled further into the forest and further into the depths of despair. Days of searching without reward, defending himself against the remnants of the shadow presence in the forest with little or nothing to eat had taken their toll.

When the time came, he was unable to mount much resistance. Surrounded by shadow, he threw down his bow and collapsed into the arms of his new family. The seeds Rikimaru had planted at the journey's beginning had born fruit. The Darkness had claimed another.

****

Later, when the moon no longer hung in the sky, and the Imperial City had been reclaimed by the forces of light, another Wasp came to Morikage. Her name was Tarashiko and she, too, sought somebody. She had left the battlefield at Shiro Asako to seek out a friend - a friend who, not so long ago, told her of his plans to seek his lord in a tea-house in Otosan Uchi. A friend who had disappeared almost without trace.

She carried a quiver of crystal arrows and stayed on the alert at all times. And yet is was not enough when the all too familiar shadow leapt at her. As she spun to face the oncoming threat, the shadow hesitated.

"Tarashiko?" whispered a faint voice.

"Iss.. Issekigan?" asked Tarashiko, not willing to believe what she now saw through the darkness surrounding the fallen Wasp's face.

The shadow spread it's arms wide and hissed "Kill me."

Tarashiko did not waste any more time.

****

"Tarashiko-san, where have you been?" "Gomen nasai, Mukami-sama. I left the battle. I travelled to Morikage in search of Issekigan."

"Did you find him? I had hoped he would have abandoned his foolish quest and returned to us. I could put his eyes and his bow to good use in the army."

"Hai, I found him. However, Issekigan-san shall not return to the lands of the Wasp. He shall never again see Kyuden Ashinagabachi."

As the two Wasps walked away discussing what had transpired, a nearby samurai took note, before his features dissolved and the faceless being turned and walked away into the woods.