Wounded, Akodo Kage stumbled out of the bamboo forest. Like hounds, the mantis bushi followed. Weariness held him like a noose around his neck. Dark shadows enclosed him as he collapsed face down. Blood seeped from the open gash upon his back as his consciousness embraced darkness. Defenseless, he lie as soundlessly as a stillborn babe.
From the flowing moonlight, warriors bared their steel and leaped onto the riverbank. A veiled warrior lifted Kage reverently as he carried the fragile form to the wavering boat. The sounds of clashing swords filled the empty night as the mantis bushi engaged the warriors of a darkened soul. Faceless and nameless, they fought with a suicidal rage. Though the mantis bushi fought bravely, only a few survived the night. For the warriors of a darkened soul fought with death. And sought only death.
Dark clouds embraced the dim moon high above the sweeping river. The darkness was all about her when she felt his gnarled hand grip her wrist. Blood stopped flowing in her veins. Shadows surrounded her as she heard him uttered out her name as he coughed blood. The boat swayed beneath her as she sucked in her fear and loathing in one deep breath. "Chinoko!" The name resonated with a crazed tone. Chinoko watched, her eyes cold and calculating, the kolat master was near death. She smiled, the gleam from her white teeth brighter than polished knives. "You are now in my debt, Kolat Master."
Chinoko woke with a flood of memories. Recently, the Kage had occupied her waking thoughts. Now, even in death, she could not free herself from his grasp. Her dream had kindled fear within her breast. But she had learned much from the old master, himself. Circumstances had not been kind to her. She had become a cold woman of seductive embrace. Age had not been kind to her. However, her power was no longer dependent upon her appearance. What she learned from Kage, she used.
A mistress of her own domain. She surveyed her reflection in the bronze mirror, carefully she took a brush to her face. A painted face. The face of a woman, but underneath the paint hid the face of a Kolat. As she finished applying the final touches to her eyebrows, there was a gentle knock on the door. She heard sound of a sliding door. Her eyes upon the mirror as she waited patiently. The elder servant walked over, and whispered in her ear. With a gesture, she dismissed the servant. Her reflection frowned at her with uneasiness.
The moment she walked into the ornate room, the foul smell of death bought a look of disgust upon her painted face. The dead bodies of her bodyguards has been removed. Still, the smell had permeated the whole room. She walked to the far end of the room. Beautifully figurines and paintings of unsurpassed skill adorned the walls. She gave them no thought. She went straight towards the Sun Goddess statue. She reached into her secret hiding place behind the golden statue. She pulled out a black-bordered book. She smiled with relief.
Her relief was short-lived. From the folds of the shadows, a dark figure stepped forth and dealt Chinoko a stunning blow. A gloved hand snatch the black-bordered book from her hands as she fell unconscious to the cold marble floor. The ninja mystic slipped the book within the folds of her ninja garb and stepped back into the shadows. A smell of smoke mingled with the odor of death.
Chinoko woke with a flood of pain pressing against her skull from the inside of her delicate head. She ignored the terrible headache as she tried to gathered her thoughts together. Her thoughts incoherent, as they churned like a tornado. She berated herself for not suspecting anything. Upon reflection, it was obvious. The plan was simple. Simple, but effective.
Chinoko smiled at the sight of the young gheisha. She gently put a her hand beneath the young gheisha's chin and lifted her chin up. The defiance in the young gheisha's eyes could pierced through armour. The kolat madam smiled.
"Are you still mad at me, Miko?" asked Chinoko softly as she looked down upon the young gheisha kneeling before her.
"No. I wouldn't dare," replied the gheisha through clenched teeth.
"I have a small task for you," spoke Chinoko with an air of serenity, "fulfill this for me and I give you a name."
"What must I do?" Miko asked with a fervor light in her eyes. The defiance was still there, behind the shadow of her hatred.
Chinoko smiled confidently as she gave the young gheisha assassin her bidding. She thought to herself, after the young gheisha assassin left. Kage left his legacy to her. She will regain it. She will possess the power within the black-bordered book again. And all the dark secrets within. Chinoko's smile widened.