[One year after the Brevon Crisis]
Avalice. A nondescript planet orbiting an ordinary dwarf star in a mundane section of the galaxy. Normally, such a planet wouldn't be of concern to anyone except the natives, and this is true for Avalice.
Or, rather, it was.
Orbiting Avalice is a modest yet somewhat effective planetary defence force put in place by the Coalition of Planets after the defeat of Lord Arktivus Brevon. A year prior, Brevon had crash‑landed on Avalice after being pursued by the Coalition's elite Chasers, and had intended to use the Kingdom Stone, Avalice's most prized ancient relic, to fuel his Dreadnought and resume his tour of terror across the galaxy. With help from some of the natives, most notably from the trio of young girls now known worldwide as Team Lilac, Brevon's plans were ruined when the Dreadnought itself was destroyed. The destruction also took out the Kingdom Stone, but the Stone didn't disappear: instead, it transformed into a whirling vortex that puts out so much energy, Avalice has an increasingly large surplus, a luxury it never previously enjoyed.
It was the intention of the ancient dragons that first created the Kingdom Stone that it eventually be used to take Avalicians to the stars, but all this is of no concern to Yuji Kojima, a tan macaque historian from Mizutani, one of the five city‑states that make up the Republic of the Gotoshi. Yuji holds no interest in the stars beyond, but instead in the lives of the past. To him, the most interesting dragons are not those the Origin Kingdoms worship, but the former rulers of the Kegawa Dynasty, who's palace, the Kakusareta Kyuden, lies at the heart of the island of Tenshijima.
One year ago, while the Origin Kingdoms were dealing with Brevon, Yuji had published the first edition of his Complete History of the Gotoshi, but he wasn't at all happy with the patchwork coverage of the Kegawa Dynasty. However, he was limited at the time by the blanket ban on all travel to Tenshijima, a ban put in place by the Republic Treaty fifty years prior. Luckily, the Gotoshan leaders have recently finally agreed to allow limited travel for research purposes, but only if everything proceeds in accordance with a strict pre‑arranged plan.
So, when Yuji sorts through the morning mail to find his application for an expedition to Tenshijima has been approved, his ecstasy is unbounded.
"Yatta!" Yuji exclaims, leaping up from his chair and spilling his morning coffee. "I can't believe this is happening!"
Three days later, Yuji stands at the prow of the small research vessel hired for the expedition. Accompanying him are his two most trusted research assistants, and a representative assigned to the expedition by the Gotoshi Senate to monitor proceedings. So enthralled is he by the sight of the increasingly large Tenshijima, he fails to notice the representative approaching from behind.
"Good morning, Kojima‑san," the red squirrel greets.
Yuji spins in surprise, relaxing when he sees the representative. "Oh, it's you," he smiles, relieved. "Sorry Kimiko, I was distracted by our destination."
"I understand," Kimiko Kato replies. "It's been a long time since a Gotoshan citizen last set foot on Tenshijima. You must feel honoured."
"Honestly? Not really," Yuji admits. "I mean, I guess I should feel honoured, but that's not what this is about for me. I'm just excited about all the wonderful work I'll be able to do! The second edition of my book will blow the first edition clean out of the water!"
"The first edition is a fine book," Kimiko compliments. "The second will surely be a masterpiece. Just remember, access to the island has not been granted lightly."
"I know," Yuji assures. "And I also know if I want to run a second expedition, this one has to go flawlessly."
"I'm glad we're in agreement," Kimiko smiles. "Maybe I can assist you in your work?"
"Would that not conflict with your assignment?"
"Not at all. In fact, it'd make my assignment easier to complete."
"In that case, I'd be honoured to have your assistance," Yuji bows, a little theatrically.
"If I may inquire about your associates," Kimiko prompts.
"They're sound," Yuji assures. "Yuko Maki has worked with me for seven years now, and has never let me down. And Sora Sato, though less experienced at just three years, has proven equally trustworthy."
"That's good to hear," Kimiko smiles. "Now if you'll excuse me, we're just ten minutes from landing on the island, and it is time for me to report to the Senate."
"Of course," Yuji acknowledges. "I'll remain here and watch as we dock."
Half an hour later, with the ship docked and the supplies and equipment unloaded onto the jetty, Yuji calls his two macaque assistants to him.
"Well, it's finally happened: we're on Tenshijima!" Yuji begins once his assistants join him. "Now, you've both worked with me long enough to know I run an informal ship (as it were), but given where we are, I'm going to have to insist on rather more formality than usual. As annoying as this may be, you must both always remain within my sight or Kimiko's, and only venture further with our express permission. Is this going to be an issue?"
"Not at all!" Yuko assures.
"Not even slightly!" Sora confirms.
"Excellent!" Yuji smiles. "Then let's not waste any more time: on to the Kyuden!"
Half an hour later, about halfway through the forest that surrounds the Kyuden, Kimiko calls for the others to halt.
"Kojima‑san, have you seen this?" she asks, pointing to a series of strange markings on one of the trees.
Yuji walks over and takes a close look at the markings Kimiko is pointing to. "Hmm… If I didn't know any better, I'd say those marks were made by a blade of some sort. Admittedly, I'm no expert on tools or weaponry, but they almost look like… sword marks?"
"If they are sword marks, that is worrying," Kimiko remarks. "It means someone else has been on this island before. Within the last year or so, judging by the condition of these marks."
"In clear violation of Gotoshi law," Yuji agrees.
"I'll have to report his," Kimiko informs.
"Absolutely, but I think we should press on and see if there's anything else to report first," Yuji suggests.
"Agreed."
Another half hour later, the small group emerges from the forest and into a clearing. Yuji stops dead in his tracks when he sets his eyes on the Kakusareta Kyuden, almost causing Kimiko, Yuko, and Sora to walk right into him.
"It's even more magnificent than I ever imagined," Yuji breathes, drinking in the details of the Kyuden's architecture.
"It is certainly an impressive monument to the Kegawa Dynasty," Kimiko agrees. "But something isn't right here. This clearing should be overgrown, and yet it looks surprisingly well‑maintained."
"Huh?" Yuji tears his eyes from the palace and surveys the clearing itself. "Well… you're not wrong."
"Someone has definitely been here before us," Kimiko concludes.
"Yes… We should try to find out who they are," Yuji suggests.
"Why? I can't waste time before reporting this."
"And what's the first thing the Senate will ask?"
Kimiko pauses for thought. "You're right, we should try to work out who was here before," she admits.
"This expedition isn't turning out like I'd hoped," Yuji sighs.
"I know what you mean," Kimiko agrees.
With Yuko and Sora setting up the tents and unpacking the equipment, Kimiko and Yuji enter the Kyuden itself, intent on discovering who had previously visited the island. As they step through the main door, the floor clunks unexpectedly beneath Kimiko's feet.
"That doesn't sound right," Kimiko remarks, shifting her weight so she can analyse the noise. "This floor should be solid, but it sounds like‑"
"A trapdoor?" Yuji ventures.
Kimiko steps back, kneels, and places a hand over what appears to be a small gap. "There's a slight breeze, which means you may be right," she concludes.
"And it's not an original feature," Yuji informs. "At least, not according to my previous research."
"We need to find out more."
"Agreed."
Yuji and Kimiko pass the trapdoor and approach a large pair of doors.
"This looks like the entrance to… the grand ballroom, I think," Yuji informs.
"As good a place as any to start," Kimiko replies.
Together, they open the door and enter the ballroom: what they see shocks them both to their core. The floor has five separate hasty repairs, several sections of wall are badly damaged, and the doors at the far end show signs of both explosion damage and hasty repair.
"It's… It's been desecrated!" Kimiko exclaims.
"How could anyone do this?" Yuji asks. "Don't they know this is a protected historical site?"
"The Senate is going to be apoplectic!"
"I'm not exactly a picture of calm myself!"
"If this room is like this…"
"It is our duty to press on. The next room is, I believe, the dining hall."
Together, Yuji and Kimiko leave the ballroom by the far end and enter the dining hall. Once again, the sight shocks them.
"By the spirit of the kitsune," Kimiko breathes in shock.
"It's unmistakable: this room burned," Yuji concludes, noting the clear signs of smoke and fire damage.
"Let's get to the throne room."
Fifteen minutes later, Yuji and Kimiko finally find a way up to the throne room. With trepidation, they walk up the rubble‑strewn stairs and enter the throne room itself.
There's no doubting a ferocious battle has taken place. Several of the pillars are badly worn, with one almost cut clean in half. Two halves of a wrecked desk lie in front of a wall with two deep narrow holes six feet from the floor. On the opposite wall, a whole section of masonry has been cut and collapsed onto the floor, and littered around the whole room are numerous shuriken.
"Shinjirarenai!" Kimiko exclaims, visibly appalled at the devastation in front of her.
"Chikushō!" Yuji exclaims simultaneously. "This looks like a warzone!"
"Whoever did this, they will pay!" Kimiko declares.
Yuji walks over to one side of the room, picks up a shuriken, and quickly analyses it. "No markings."
"There's no need for markings," Kimiko growls. "There's only one group that uses shuriken."
"Surely not even the Jade Alliance would do this?" Yuji asks.
"They're career criminals," Kimiko explains. "Their legitimate businesses can't hide that."
"They're not the only group of that nature," Yuji informs. "The Origin Kingdoms have their own, the Red Scarves. Maybe they were here?"
"And how would they know about this island?" Kimiko demands.
Yuji thinks for a moment. "I don't have an answer for that," he admits.
"I have to make my report," Kimiko decides.
"We should find more evidence first," Yuji suggests. "A few shuriken won't be enough proof."
"Very well," Kimiko agrees. "On one condition: you make the report with me."
"Agreed," Yuji accepts.