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[BerkaZerka]

PROLOG
Sendai Wounded



Exalted Patriarch Yasuo Sanjo and his Priests hurried away from the bones recovered from the Village of Kurokawa. Something about those skeletons had really upset the Exalted Patriarch upon first seeing them. The signs were clear; the Mons were there; and the Postcognition confirmed it all – they were Rokurokubi. But was there really an infestation of them living unknown among the people of Nippon now? Exalted Patriarch Sanjo hoped that it was not true – for such a thing would cause much disruption and bloodshed before it could be rooted out completely.

Summoning the senior members of the Order to the holy meeting room deep within the depths of the temple, Exalted Patriarch Sanjo was just about to lay charge upon them to travel throughout Nippon and seek out these Rokurokubi – who would need to be discovered and exposed, before they could be dealt with – it would be a secret crusade – one that he could only trust to the highest and most honorable members of the Holy faith.

But before he could get into the matter, the entire temple shook suddenly to its very core, then again and again. A look of confusion and concern crossed everyone’s face, as Exalted Patriarch Sanjo commanded everyone to hurry from the temple, to see what was happening.

Once outside, everyone could see that the sky over Sendai was roiling black and unnaturally thunderous – and worse – fiery meteors were pounding down upon Sendai from the darkness above, shaking the earth with the force of their impact and ripping the city asunder. Fires were also springing up everywhere from the blasts and the ancestral palace of the Daimyo was being hammered most fiercely, crumbling under the assault.

“No!” Exalted Patriarch Sanjo gasped. Then turning to the assembled Priests, he recomposed himself and spoke – “We must get down into Sendai and help keep those fires in check.”

No one hesitated, immediately moving down into the city with the Exalted Patriarch, even as the meteors continued to fall.

As they went, two Earth Elementals and two Water Elementals manifested near Exalted Patriarch Sanjo, and he began directing them as to which places needed the most attention first. Once everyone was down in the city however, the bombardment stopped – thought the fires still raged uncontrollably.

Then suddenly, a female demon with four arms and a great rack of horns rose up from the ground in front of the company – it was Kyoso-No-Oni, the ten foot tall first circle demon – and concubine to the father of all demons – Massaki Dai-Oni. She held in her hands a black burning hoop of wailing steel, which she then threw at the feet of Exalted Patriarch Sanjo. When it hit the ground, it spread out suddenly with a shockwave to fifty feet in diameter and broke open the earth with a tremendous force.

Exalted Patriarch Sanjo leapt back from the hole before it opened under his feet, but half of his Priests were not so lucky; caught off guard and falling into darkness below.

No sooner had the hole opened to swallow the Priests however, than it began to disgorge a clambering hoard of thrall demons, all clawing their way up from the depths of hell below. The burning black hoop was a gate to the underworld and an open mouth that spewed forth the Oni therein – with no end.

It was something that the Exalted Patriarch could not close with casual magic – it was something of the gods themselves – forged from the blood of the Demon Father himself!

Immediately, the Oni pouring up from the earth began to attack everything in sight, particularly the Elementals that Exalted Patriarch Sanjo had brought to help put out the fires. As the remaining Priests engaged the demons in a fight for their lives, Exalted Patriarch Sanjo shook his head – “I was a fool to trust Yunikawa,” he said ruefully. Then radiating his spiritual energy in a blinding glory, and with a satisfied look of pride on his face, he stepped over the edge and fell into the hole.

There was then a sudden burst of searing white light and the cold ring of snapping steel – when the spots cleared from everyone’s eyes, they saw that the ground had suddenly closed up on the Oni and that only a broken hoop of black metal remained – its unholy flames even now flickering out.

Exalted Patriarch Yasuo Sanjo was gone.

The Kyoso-No-Oni meanwhile, frowned with a look of mild disappointment and then sunk back into the earth, not to be seen again.

The rest of the night was then spent fighting the hundreds of Oni that had crawled up from ground with every ounce of might the Priests, Samurai, and Occult community of Sendai could muster. The cravenous beasts would not stand and meet in a clean fight however, but ran amok throughout the city, killing and carrying people off wherever they could. It was a chaotic hunt to track them all down and kill or drive them from Sendai – while the city burned around everyone’s ears.

But by the next morning, the Oni had finally been dealt with, either slain or chased into the mountains; and the people left alive set about to recover from the horrible disaster.

High-Priest Midori Onishi; the High-Priest of Sendai’s Temple of The Five Gods (and now the most senior member of Sendai’s Spiritual Community), joined his own Priests to those of the deceased Patriarch and with them, returned to the Temple of the Ancestors – which by some miracle still stood undamaged by the fire and stones that had fallen from the sky. But that was little consolation; for they arrived to find that all the apprentice monks and those who had remained behind had been slain, and now lie scattered across the temple grounds in their own blood.

That and the bones from Kurokawa, which the Samurai of Sendai had brought back with them – they were gone! Only the broken and empty carts they had used to transport them remained.

As High-Priest Onishi took in this awful scene, a moan from one of the apprentice monks indicated that he was yet alive. Going to him, the High-Priest could see that he had been mortally wounded – he would die and there was nothing he could do to save him.

Opening his eyes, the lad forced himself to tell High-Priest Onishi what had happened –“We watched the fire fall on Sendai… When the others had left… four beautiful Samurai-ko and a Korean came among us and attacked… We tried to stop them… we tried… then two immense and corrupted boar demons appeared and gobbled up the bones… One went north and one went south …*

With that the young man died in the High-Priest’s arms...

[BerkaZerka]

~Umani the Moon Goddess

10th Day of Mid Summer 1303
The Ancestral Palace

The Samurai rode into the sky for hours and hours, climbing high into the heavens until the daylight had finally given way to the vast expanse of open starry night. Still the Ki-Rin galloped upward, their fiery hooves falling upon the wind and carrying the Samurai on with untiring quickness.

Kioko was now asleep peacefully in Yuki’s lap, still glowing, while the little spirit familiar thing snored softly as it curled up against the foxgirl’s neck. Even Udo himself, on his own mount, had become comfortable enough to doze off here and there (though his snoring was considerably louder).

Then rose up into the night sky, Umani the Moon – luminous and full – and from this high up, seemed to fill half the sky. And there was something alive about her; an immeasurable sense of intelligence; and her light seemed to warm the very soul.

Were the stories and ancient legends of Creation true? Was this then truly one of the Five Gods in whose presence they now basked?

Then a sparkling glimmer of light caught the eyes of the Samurai as their Ki-Rin mounts turned directly into that comforting light.

Nestled in the moon’s radiant corona could be seen a floating city of gold and alabaster spires – wondrous beyond all description. This was the Ancestral Palace, the celestial abode of the spirits of Man who had passed on and now awaited rebirth and new life back into Creation.

Seeing it struck the Samurai with a deep and profound sense of humility – few mortals had ever seen the Ancestral Palace – and now at once, the Samurai were more than all combined who ever had come before – the five Samurai and their charge flew on magnificent steed, towards that great honor.

Then, after closing with the city and flying in among its great spires, the Samurai could see below marvelous streets of pastel colored jade and perfectly arranged trees, fountains, and flowers – and among these, there could be seen here and there the spirits of the Ancestors, clothed in glorious white radiance.

The Ki-Rin then flew down and alighted in an enormous square – once again heralded in a rain of cascading sparks, which scattered from their hooves and across the jade flagstones from which the square was paved. To the head of the square itself stood an impressively large and elegant building made entirely of polished ivory and moonsilver, and towards that trotted the Ki-Rin after their landing.

As the Samurai drew near, three personages came out of the building to meet them – first was an older-looking and regal man accompanied by an equally regal and like-aged woman. These two walked forward together, surrounded in holy white fire and arrayed in the most glorious of royal finery; more vibrant and bright than anything the Samurai had ever before seen. Then following behind these came one that the Samurai already knew – it was Kirito, whom Roka and Yuki had slain to protect the Book of Secrets – also in the royal attire of the Ancestors and surrounded in a holy nimbus of pure white fire.

The three then stood on a stone landing above the square overlooking the Samurai and waited for the Samurai to dismount and bow before speaking. As the Samurai did so, Yuki noticed that Kioko and her little spirit familiar thing were both still asleep, but that Yuki was unable to wake the little foxgirl quickly and found herself, for the moment, just holding Kioko in her arms and bowing for the both of them.

Once all of the Samurai had done so, the man and woman nodded politely, while Kirito smiled and bowed back to the Samurai in return (he seemed quite at ease, serene even, meeting with his former killers). Then the man and woman spoke – but together in perfect unison, so that their voices mixed together as one – "We are the Patriarch and Matriarch – the first parents of Mankind. We welcome you to the Ancestral Palace, having not had mortal visitors in some time."

"What brings you here children?" they asked, seeming as more of a formality, rather than something they really needed to enquire. Surly the foremost of Ancestors would already know why they were here.

[cool74]

Rai bows and says, "My Lord and Lady, I believe we are all here to ask separate questions,but there is one thing that binds as all in solidarity coming to you today." Gesturing to the small sleeping spirit he says,"This is Kioko a spirit who has found herself transported through time after being killed. We wish to send her spirit to where she belongs."

[Not Aman]

Roka, after bowing towards his gods, humbly addresses them, keeping his surprise at seeing Kirito hidden.
"Father and Mother, our unworthy selves have come to your palace to return a child's soul to her proper resting place." Roka states. "we are unworthy of the honor you have given us, and we thank you mightly for it."

[killa_robot]

Yuki gives a short nod to Rai then looks at the Patriarch and Matriarch.

"Yes... We would like to return Kioko to where she belongs." She requests with a bow. Yuki glances at Kirito mid-bow, briefly wondering how, and why, he's in the Ancestral Palace, but she concludes that it doesn't really matter.

[Tanstaafl]

Unable to hide his shock at seeing Kirito, Udo just looks down after he bows, "What they, err, said. Thank you so much for the warm welcome, ancestors."

[Fireplay]

Miya bows next to Yuki and gives you a smile of encouragement if her friend looks over. She does not respond to the Patriarch and Matriarch, instead choosing to remain silent.

[BerkaZerka]

“Young ones,” the older couple replies softly with a warm smile – “How kind of you to look after the welfare of your little sister; an innocent one, lost in a time and place not her own.”

The Matriarch raised her hand, and Yuki could feel a soft tugging motion on Kioko in her arms. While nothing was said, Yuki knew that it was alright for her to let Kioko go, and in doing so, the Samurai watched as the still sleeping Kioko and the little spirit familiar began to float gently through the air towards the landing where the Patriarch, Matriarch, and Kirito stood.

“And it is well that you have brought her here, for we did not even know of little Kioko Kikuchi, until the one you know as Kirito Kirigaya brought her to our attention upon his arrival into the Spirit World following his mortal death.”

Here, Kirito bows his head humbly at the acknowledgement from the celestial parents.

“You see,” they go on, “we are aware of the whole of Mankind and know when one spirit is lost or found; but Kioko was never lost to us – she has yet even to exist – and her own time is far distant by your mortal comprehension.”

“But looking into the reflecting waters of time itself, we realize that we sent her to you from the future – as a safeguard against your own fall.”

Then, seeming to choose their words more carefully for some reason, the Patriarch and Matriarch begin to deliver sobering news –

“You see, terrible things greater than you, greater than Sendai, or even the whole of Nippon itself, have been put into motion by your elder brother, the Wu-Jen Kenjiro Yunikawa. He has chosen the darkness. He has given himself fully to his Master – Massaki Dai-Oni – The Father and Foremost of Demons  – and will attempt to draw you into that darkness as well, to fulfill the purposes of he who rules him.”

Looking at the still sleeping Kioko and her spirit familiar (still hanging gently in the air nearby), the heavenly couple then allowed a look of pained compassion to cross their face, as if feeling some hidden weight or burden concerning the child, that they cannot (or will not) share.

“It is most fortunate that little Kioko was so small and insignificant to him,” they say, “that he discounted and overlooked her and discovered not her true nature. You may well have saved the world itself in delivering her to us at this time.”

“For even now, Sendai is destroyed and Kenjiro Yunikawa seeks to make the father of demons whole again once more.”

[cool74]

Rai, while surprised Yunikawa is fully evil, he is not shocked to hear that the old man had betrayed the group and is bringing about Armageddon. Looking down he says, "I must apologize to you Celestial Parents. It was we who retrieved the book that likely gave rise to Yunikawa's power. I wish I had time to steal the book and spirited it away before we had made it to the city."

[Not Aman]

"The Wujen destroyed Sendai?!" Roka says with utter shock. "But... How? Our General, our high priest, they must of had the strength to stop him!"

[BerkaZerka]

"Sendai can be rebuilt, son," the Patriarch and Matriarch reply solemnly. "Sendai wasn't his target, the bones of fallen heroes were. Sendai was just a distraction."

"The Book of Secrets!" Kirito blurts out from behind the two, apparently stepping a bit out of normal protocol to do so. "You must get the original from Yunikawa – it is impossible to translate a copy – it will make known Yunikawa’s plans and …"

Here, Kirito is silenced by a stern look from the Patriarch and Matriarch, who then turned back to the Samurai – "Our son risks much for his concern over you – perhaps to make up for his transgression against you in his past life – but yes, the Naga Book of Secrets contains many answers to many questions, which we cannot answer for you at this time."

[Not Aman]

"But, great masters, even the wisest in Sendai could not decipher the book! Even if we could steal it from the Epic Wujen, we would be unable to read it! There must be more you could tell us!" Roka shouts out, begging, with flawless ettiquite (AF use).

[BerkaZerka]

"Not even the wisest in all the world could decipher a copy," the Matriarch whispers alone (for the first time since the Samurai's arrival).

The Patriarch meanwhile, remains silent a moment, with a stern look on his face - then says, "Yunikawa has already deciphered the Book. In due time, it will fall into your own hands, and then you will understand."

[Tanstaafl]

Udo Kuwabara is utterly shocked at the news, "Our sage and Uncle... Betraying us? Why?"

He shakes his head, then stops to whisper, "How will... How can we fight Yunikawa and his armies of demons... Alone?"

[killa_robot]

Yuki ignores the bit about yunikawa being evil and betraying sendai in lue of hearing about Kioko. Shes concerned about the city they failed to protect, and her mother, but a more pressing question needs to be asked.

"Her true nature?" Yuki asks, tilting her head. "What do you mean? What is Kioko's true nature?"

[BerkaZerka]

Back in unison, the Patriarch and Matriarch answered Yuki – “Kioko Kikuchi is a future incarnation of the one you know as Sakura Kashiwagi.”

Then giving some thought before continuing, they add, “Apparently, we broke a sacred treaty between the Ancestors and Naga (or will at some future time) to send her to you following the ‘loss’ of Sakura.”

“That same treaty prevents us from telling you why we might have chosen to do so, though I can assure you that only consequences most dire could ever move us to even consider such a thing.”

[BerkaZerka]

At this point, the celestial Kirito (or whatever he is) begins pantomiming behind the backs of the Patriarch and Matriarch – clearly indicating a book – opening it – reading a page – and suddenly understanding.

“The treaty also covers pantomime, sign language, telepathy, or any other forms of ‘communication’, I am afraid son,” the regal couple scold, not even bothering to turn around to see what Kirito was doing.

[Fireplay]

"Forgive me, but I must voice the same question as Udo. How can we defeat Yunikawa if we are but mortal and few in number? I doubt we can fight him directly; are there other targets we could remove to stop his plan?"
 Miya asks as the Patriarch and Matriarch cease speaking for a moment.

[Not Aman]

"Is there any chance that the treaty does not preclude literal assistance? Our ancestors were powerful and mighty, you must be able to assist us measly mortals in such a task!"

[killa_robot]

"I see, that's why the little spirit of Sakura was so taken to her."

She replies. Then she thinks of something else.

"There are lines of spiritual attunement coming from some of us. Do you know their purpose?"

[BerkaZerka]

“Absolutely not my child,” the heavenly couple reply warmly to Roka, while conveying adamant finality in the statement.

“With very few exceptions, strictly outlined in the Exalted Treatises between the Gods of Creation, we cannot interfere in the lives of mortal men; they are given agency to play their own parts (as they will); and it is the sacred duty of the Naga to protect mankind from the demons and Oni that threaten to enslave them.”

“And I fear that for you, that bridge has already been burned…”

“As for what to do?” they add, in answer to Yuki, “Return to Sendai and help to rebuild it. Return to the Temple of the Ancestors in Sendai and reveal to the New Exalted Patriarch the threat of the Rokurukubi. Return to the Village of Kurokawa and set right the mischief that you have inadvertently released there. Then wait for Yunikawa’s downfall at the hand of the Naga.”

“And should the Naga fail; it will then be up to you to stop your elder brother – but you cannot hope to succeed, until after you gain a knowledge of what he means to do.”

“As for the lines of attunement some of you share with the Naga Shrine, they are, shall we say, the aforementioned ‘exceptions’ – but we are forbidden to tell you anything useful about them, or their nature, or even how Kioko may fit into all of this.”

“What you discover about these things on your own however, is up to you.”

[cool74]

"I am guessing you can't tell us why two of this groups former companions where in the shrine?" Rai asks politely.

[BerkaZerka]

"We can not," they reply simply.

[cool74]

"We can not," they reply simply.

Rai  thinks a little and asks, "Is there anything else you can tell us?"

[killa_robot]

"I see. Will you... be keeping Kioko here while we return to Sendai?"

Yuki asks.

[Not Aman]

"Ancestors, can you at least tell us of who remains in Sendai? Did any survive the traitor's rampage?"

[BerkaZerka]

Rai  thinks a little and asks, "Is there anything else you can tell us?"

"Of course," the Patriarch and Matriarch answer Rai, "You just need to ask."

"I see. Will you... be keeping Kioko here while we return to Sendai?"

Yuki asks.

Then answering Yuki, they reply, "Yes, Kioko will stay with us. For six hundred and four years will this precious child sleep here in the Courts of the Ancestors. Then, following the moment of the day that she was sent back to you, we will return her back into Creation. She will awake with new life, as if from a dream, and will run home to her mother and tell her of all the wonderful things she has seen, while she was with you and your mother, Akiko Shirahata."

"And until then, you may all again visit her here between each of your mortal lives – But this only if Yunikawa is stopped."

"Ancestors, can you at least tell us of who remains in Sendai? Did any survive the traitor's rampage?"

"We can," the heavily couple say to Roka, "many survived and many passed on. We presume you are concerned for someone in particular?"

[Not Aman]

Roka breaths a breath of relief.
"I would not wish to bother the ancestors with a list of those important to me in the honorable fortress city, but I must ask on behalf of us all here, especially Yuki, for the fate of her mother, as well as the leaders of Sendai, the general."

"And for my own sake, I must ask about the safety of my students, and my allie, Yone Ishida."

[killa_robot]

Yuki looks at Roka and gives him a thankful nod.

"Speaking of which, the Kistune attack my mother and Kioko before. We managed to ward it off, but do you know why it attacked? Was it after Kioko?"

[Fireplay]

Miya remains silent for a moment longer before speaking up again.
 "What are you able to tell us of Yunikawa's past, present, and future along with any information that we could use against him or his allies to disrupt his plans or even assist us somehow?"

She hesitates before continuing. Asking with far more sincerity in her voice.
 "I... must ask a more selfish question. Will I have to choose between my father and our mission in the future? Are you at least able to tell me who caused my father's death?"

[Tanstaafl]

"... And what is Nippon's people's fate in all this?" Udo asks, having most of his own queries asked and answered already. "Will we retake our land from both the Chinese and the Demons?"

[BerkaZerka]

Roka breaths a breath of relief.
"… but I must ask on behalf of us all here, especially Yuki, for the fate of her mother, as well as the leaders of Sendai, the general."

"And for my own sake, I must ask about the safety of my students, and my allie, Yone Ishida."

“Yunikawa brought fiery meteors down upon Sendai;” the Patriarch and Matriarch begin to answer, “Most notably on and around the castle of the Daimyo. The Chief Magistrate Noburu Saito and his Yoriki were in the castle at the time (in the stead of the Daimyo’s absence). They were all killed rather quickly with the fall of the castle.”

“Yunikawa also opened a Gate to the Underworld in Sendai, flooding the city with Demons and Oni. The Exalted Patriarch Yasuo Sanjo, gave his life to close that Gate.”

“Many also died in Sendai, due to the Demons, Oni, and fires, started in all of the destruction. Yone Ishida was not among these.”

“And Akiko Shirahata, living as she does on the edge of the city, was unharmed by the initial attack and was instrumental (with others) in removing the rampant Demons and Oni from Sendai.”

“And all this, simply to ensure his recovery of the bones of fallen heroes, before they could be cleansed and blessed by the Temple of the Ancestors. He condemns the spirits of these noble ones to continue languishing in dishonor, while he uses their bones in unholy and forbidden ritual. He will exploit their sorrow to release the Demon God Massaki Dai-Oni back into the world.”

… "Speaking of which, the Kistune attack my mother and Kioko before. We managed to ward it off, but do you know why it attacked? Was it after Kioko?"

“As for the Kitsune, it is unrelated to Yunikawa’s evil schemes. The Nine-tailed fox simply noticed Kioko and recognized her as one of her ‘kills’. The fact that Kioko was from the future and not one of the children the Kitsune had yet taken, confused her. So she tormented Akiko Shirahata in sport and hoping to find out more about Kioko as she did so.”

“Akiko Shirahata was lucky you found her with the Kitsune when you did.”

… "What are you able to tell us of Yunikawa's past, present, and future along with any information that we could use against him or his allies to disrupt his plans or even assist us somehow?"

… "… Will I have to choose between my father and our mission in the future? Are you at least able to tell me who caused my father's death?"

“Child, you carry much pain for your father’s vengeance. But the time for you to avenge him is nigh. Your father was killed because he discovered the secret of the Daimyo Shinsen Hasekura – that he is Rokurokubi. The man who took his life and left you with your scar is Win Pan, escort to Imperial Magistrate Jiang Li Feng.”

“They will all, along with Daimyo Shinsen Hasekura, arrive in Sendai shortly, to assess the destruction of the city and determine how to deal with Yunikawa.”

“As for Yunikawa, they cannot touch him. He is too far beyond their power and at this time out of any mortal’s reach.”

“For his past, Yunikawa was orphaned at birth and raised in Sendai by the Previous Wu-Jen of Sendai, the Grand Premier Torio Inokuma. It was from this upbringing among the occult wonders of the ancients that Yunikawa learned his place in Creation – and ultimately chose to disregard it.”

“His allies are the Demons of the First Circle and Horse-Walker Generals of Massaki Dai-Oni’s Armies. Even the Order of Shades is responsive to his call.”

“For his future, he has none. What he seeks to accomplish is suicide for himself and the mortal world.”

"... And what is Nippon's people's fate in all this?" Udo asks, … "Will we retake our land from both the Chinese and the Demons?"

Here the celestial parents pause, as if weighing things out in their minds.

“If Yunikawa succeeds in returning Massaki Dai-Oni to the mortal world, it will be the end of Man. The Naga have weakened much since the beginning, when first called upon to save man from the Oni. I fear that another war on Earth between the Oni and Naga, at this time, would go in Massaki Dai-Oni’s favor.”

“You must stop Yunikawa if the Naga fail to do so. But you cannot stop him until you know what it is he knows. And we cannot tell you what that is…”

[Not Aman]

“Yunikawa brought fiery meteors down upon Sendai;” the Patriarch and Matriarch begin to answer, “Most notably on and around the castle of the Daimyo. The Chief Magistrate Noburu Saito and his Yoriki were in the castle at the time (in the stead of the Daimyo’s absence). They were all killed rather quickly with the fall of the castle.”

“Yunikawa also opened a Gate to the Underworld in Sendai, flooding the city with Demons and Oni. The Exalted Patriarch Yasuo Sanjo, gave his life to close that Gate.”

“Many also died in Sendai, due to the Demons, Oni, and fires, started in all of the destruction. Yone Ishida was not among these.”

“And Akiko Shirahata, living as she does on the edge of the city, was unharmed by the initial attack and was instrumental (with others) in removing the rampant Demons and Oni from Sendai.”

“And all this, simply to ensure his recovery of the bones of fallen heroes, before they could be cleansed and blessed by the Temple of the Ancestors. He condemns the spirits of these noble ones to continue languishing in dishonor, while he uses their bones in unholy and forbidden ritual. He will exploit their sorrow to release the Demon God Massaki Dai-Oni back into the world.”

"So even our honorable fight for the bones of our ancestors were part of the traitor's plot? He has been playing us the whole time..." Roka mutters, sadly.

"And to think that our magistrate was killed..." Roka then adds, clenching hi fist angrily.

"But thank you for telling us of their fate, great ancestors. Are the fallen here, in the palace?"

“You must stop Yunikawa if the Naga fail to do so. But you cannot stop him until you know what it is he knows. And we cannot tell you what that is…”

"Who can, great ancestors? Is there anyone alive who could tell us of his knowledge?"

[cool74]

Rai asks with great respect, "Can you tell us who the Rokurokubi are? And how we might get in contact with the other parties in the treaty? Maybe negotiate the release of our old comrades?"

[Fireplay]

“You must stop Yunikawa if the Naga fail to do so. But you cannot stop him until you know what it is he knows. And we cannot tell you what that is…”[/i][/color]

Miya thinks for a moment.
 "Could... Kioko tell us if we to ask her? Would that be against the Treaty that you two are bound too?"

[BerkaZerka]

… “Are the fallen here, in the palace?"

… "Who can, great ancestors? Is there anyone alive who could tell us of his knowledge?"

”Most wander the Earth and Spirit World as shadows or wraiths of their former lives; unable to move on, because of the overwhelming sense of vengeance they feel for the great wrongs perpetrated against them. Only when avenged (or they finally lose themselves to complete madness and forget) can they ascend; and begin life anew.”

“No living man knows the secrets of the Naga; save Yunikawa. And because of it, the Naga cannot let him remain living.”

Rai asks with great respect, "Can you tell us who the Rokurokubi are? And how we might get in contact with the other parties in the treaty? Maybe negotiate the release of our old comrades?"

“We will give to Yuki, the Ritual of Seeing, that she may teach it to the Priests and Monks of Sendai. It is they who will be tasked with exposing the RokuroKubi and saving Nippon from their evil. In so doing, they will also undermine the rule of the Chinese. For it is the Chinese who have brought this disease to Nippon. And, as the true nature of the Chinese Leaders are revealed, the people of Nippon will once again find the will to stand up against them.”

“The other party in the treaty is the Naga. They will kill you if they can, because you have seen too much already. Fortunately for you, Yunikawa poses a much greater threat to them immediately.”

Miya thinks for a moment.
 "Could... Kioko tell us if we to ask her? Would that be against the Treaty that you two are bound too?"

“Kioko knows nothing of such matters. She is an innocent child.”

[Tanstaafl]

Seeing this as an opportunity to ask any questions he's had for a while, Udo inquires, "Can you tell us what happened to the Wood element? Or what happened in my dreams?"

[Not Aman]

”Most wander the Earth and Spirit World as shadows or wraiths of their former lives; unable to move on, because of the overwhelming sense of vengeance they feel for the great wrongs perpetrated against them. Only when avenged (or they finally lose themselves to complete madness and forget) can they ascend; and begin life anew.”

“No living man knows the secrets of the Naga; save Yunikawa. And because of it, the Naga cannot let him remain living.”

"Would it be possible for us to find them, oh great ancestors? Perhaps one of them knows of Yukinawa's plot?"

[BerkaZerka]

... Udo inquires, "Can you tell us what happened to the Wood element? Or what happened in my dreams?"

At Udo's unusual question, the Patriarch and Matriarch seem genuinely surprised to hear it asked. "One could expect none other than a Ward of the Earth to ask such a thing," they say to themselves, then turn back to Udo.

"There are Five Gods who rule over Creation, comprising what is known as the Celestial Order. Each God encompasses one of the Five Elements of Creation, with an Elemental Herald that acts (or rather acted) as the God’s intermediary between the Celestial Order and the rest of Creation. As you know, the Five Gods are: A-Buji the Sun with his Fire Elemental Herald Infernumis; U-Mani the Moon with her Wood Elemental Herald Lothorum; Tok-ji and Suk-chi the East and West Winds with their Air Elemental Herald Umbrunus; The Earth with its Earth Elemental Herald Desolikus; and The Ocean with its Water Elemental Herald Abysmael."

"During the War Against Darkness, Massaki Dai-Oni tricked the Five Gods into sending their Elemental Heralds down to him to discuss terms for a possible surrender. But through great cunning, he managed to corrupt them, changing them into Five Elemental Dragons to serve as his personal guard - The Order of Shades."

"The Order of Shades could not be destroyed, because to destroy them would be to destroy the very Elements they represented, to which Man had come to rely on. But, in time, and with the help of the East and West Winds, the Naga managed to subdue and bind three of these Great Elemental Dragons along with Massaki Dai-Oni. But the two most powerful - Infernumis and Lothorum could not be defeated or bound - proving to be equal to the god-children in every way."

"Only when their battle took them into the corona of Umani herself, did Lothorum suddenly remember who he was. Turning on Infernumis - and with the help of East and West Winds - Lothorum drove Infernumis deep into the Earth and sunk roots in to hold him fast. Infernumis raged with rock-melting fire, burning Lothorum horribly - but the Wood Elementals rallied to their Sire to join with and strengthen him."

"There they remained, struggling against each other for hundreds of years, until Infernumis finally tired enough to fall into a deep sleep. With it however, came a terrible price - Lothorum grievously wounded and on the edge of oblivion - allowed himself to petrify, turning into stone, in order to prevent his loss to Creation; while the Wood Elementals surrounded the two and produced poison blossoms to keep Infernumis from ever waking."

"To this day, the Wood Elementals stand Vigil over their Sire and the sleeping fury that is Infernumis."

[BerkaZerka]

"Would it be possible for us to find them, oh great ancestors? Perhaps one of them knows of Yukinawa's plot?"

"They do not, for they knew it not in life, nor do they know it in death."

[cool74]

Hearing how formidable the Elemental Heralds were Rai asks, "Is there no way to return them from there madness? Is it possible that with what Yunikawa is planing that the Dragons might break there bonds? Will the gods help us if the Naga are defated?

[BerkaZerka]

"We do not know, because it is the Realm of Gods and we are not privy to all of their ways," they answer Rai - "Ours is to see to the affairs of Spirits and Man, but we do know that not even Yunikawa has the power to free them all..."

[killa_robot]

Yuki gives a soft sigh of relief upon hearing that her mother is safe, then bows.

"I am honoured to receive the Ritual of Seeing and help expose the RokuroKubi."

[Fireplay]

"We do not know, because it is the Realm of Gods and we are not privy to all of their ways," they answer Rai - "Ours is to see to the affairs of Spirits and Man, but we do know that not even Yunikawa has the power to free them all..."

"Free them all? Are you saying Yunikawa could potentially free some of them?"
 Miya asks in concern.

[BerkaZerka]

"I am honoured to receive the Ritual of Seeing and help expose the RokuroKubi."

"The Rokurokubi have charms that hide their true nature from Spirit Sight, and some that hide from even Sorcerer’s Sight. But the Ritual of Seeing will allow the Priests of Sendai who’s mission it will be to find and record their numbers, to see their true nature in the shadows they cast."

Here, knowledge of the Ritual of Seeing suddenly entered Yuki's mind and she knew how to perform it and teach it to the Priests.

"Yuki, This Ritual of Seeing is only for the Priests and Monks of Sendai. You may use it for yourself, but you must not give it to any, other than those who's sacred charge it will be to seek out and expose the Rokurokubi."

"This it is for the Honor of Sendai; a reward for standing the longest against the Chinese and being the last to fall."

"It is written that the Emperor’s place is to lead the people in harmony with the will of the Ancestors; the Priest’s place is to interpret the will of the Ancestors; and the Wu-Jen’s duty is to carry out the will of the Ancestors.

"This is our will - That the Priests and Monks of Sendai (both Ancestor Worshippers and Emissaries of the Five Gods) discover the Rokurokubi among Nippon and report back to the High Priest of Sendai. The High Priest of Sendai will in turn, relay this information to Rai Go-Uda, Heir to the Throne of Nippon and Ninja Master of Sendai."

Then turning to Rai, "Rai, you will task the Ninja of Nippon with executing those wicked spirits discovered hiding in the ruling body of Nippon and exposing what they were to the people. When the Rokurokubi are dealt with, then will the people be ready to stand up - and fight to return your bloodline to the Throne of Nippon."

"Free them all? Are you saying Yunikawa could potentially free some of them?"
 Miya asks in concern.

"Yunikawa has knowledge of ancient and forbidden magics. He would risk near certain death to employ some of it, but yes, it could allow him to find and release one or more of the Order of Shades. The Ritual would require a focus of tremendous power - such as the bones of fallen heroes..."

"But here, if Yunikawa succeds, then none of this will matter. The Naga would have failed and the world will become a far different place. Man will be displaced upon it by the Oni and the Spirit World would flood with evil. The Celestial Palace would become no longer a place of transition between Earth Lives, but an Eternal Prison."

Here Kirito steps forward with a pleading look directed at the Patriarch and Matriarch, who regard him a moment then grant leave for him to speak, but carefully this time.

"Honorable Celestial Parents," Kirito begins, "If the Naga fail to stop Yunikawa, then they will have breached their own end of the Sacred Treaty. If this is the case, would it not then be null and void? Then could you not give the Samurai of Sendai the knowledge they would require to face Yunikawa themselves?"

Giving a little thought to it, the Patriarch and Matriarch reply - "Yes. Should the Naga fail, then the Naga Book of Secrets could be shared openly."

Then turning back to the Samurai - "It may not contain enough for you to stop Massaki Dai-Oni, but it will give you knowledge of what you face, so that you could at least frustrate his plans."

"Should the Naga fail, then we will arrange for the Book of Secrets to fall into your hands. Do not try to face Yunikawa directly however, until after you fully undertand what it is he is doing. Otherwise, you will play directly into his hands - giving him exactly what he needs to bring Massaki Dai-Oni back into the world."

[Not Aman]

"Yunikawa has knowledge of ancient and forbidden magics. He would risk near certain death to employ some of it, but yes, it could allow him to find and release one or more of the Order of Shades. The Ritual would require a focus of tremendous power - such as the bones of fallen heroes..."

"So we must retrieve the bones once more, from Yukinawa this time?"

[BerkaZerka]

"No. Yunikawa has taken them out of your reach." the Ancestors reply, "It is up to the Naga to deal with Yunikawa now. But you should continue to train your minds and bodies - to gather power against the day that you may be forced to face Yunikawa as Man's last hope."

[Not Aman]

"No. Yunikawa has taken them out of your reach." the Ancestors reply, "It is up to the Naga to deal with Yunikawa now. But you should continue to train your minds and bodies - to gather power against the day that you may be forced to face Yunikawa as Man's last hope."

"So that is what we must do? Gather strengths and prepare? Should we not attempt to stop the reawakening of the Shades? Is there no way for us to assist the Naga?"

[BerkaZerka]

"You cannot assist the Naga," the Patriarch and Matriarch answer, "You must avoid them if you can. They will be after you as much as Yunikawa, for your involvement in the theft of their Holy Book. The fact that Yunikawa poses an immediate threat to Creation and you do not, does give you a better chance of escaping their notice for a time."

[Not Aman]

"You cannot assist the Naga," the Patriarch and Matriarch answer, "You must avoid them if you can. They will be after you as much as Yunikawa for your involvement in the theft of their Holy Book. The fact that Yunikawa poses an immediate threat to Creation and you do not, does give you a better chance of escaping their notice for a time."

"Can they not forgive us, and accept our aid? They must realize the dangers that will follow if they do not!"