Djjjankong

'The shogun of Kozakura was a representative of the Lion clan - the head of its Akodo family. The Lion were the rigid believers in bushido, the quintessential warriors of Kozakura - and the Akodo represented the more sophisticated art of warfare while the Matsu family's dojo produced fierce berserker bushi.

The man was in his late fifties, and in possession of keen, sharp eyes and a well-trimmed mustache.

- "I have heard from the Emperor, may the Celestial dragons guard his step, that your journey to Fukama was successful, gaijin," he said.

Sarevok nodded.

- "I paid a debt of honor long due, and released a former love of mine to the peace she yearned," he replied solemnly. Privately he felt warm from achieving even more than that, but said nothing more.

- "My heart rejoices on behalf of the shogunate," the man said, so serious and grim that the corners of Imoen's mouth twitched.

- "What is the situation, then? Was slaying Kusatte Iru enough to bring peace?" Sarevok asked.

- "I fear not, gaijin. The war in the spiritual realms is in progress - the Celestial dragons lead foo creatures and shiryo against the army of darkness roused by Giro and Yosuki. The situation is dire. However, the protectors of the Empire and life are holding their ground, and I am working on an army of the best warriors of all clans, seeking means to join the battle in the spirit realms. The best shukenjas of the Emperor and my own work on this."

The man gestured at an elderly woman in a simple garb, and a much younger one accompanying her.

- "Allow me to introduce you to the much renowned Saori-san, a holy woman of the Temple of the Night of the Fallen Star," the shogun said.

- "His highness is much too generous," the woman said. "I am but a simple seeker of enlightenment, and this is Wazuka-san, my protector and bodyguard, from the sohei forces of our temple."

The young woman greeted them formally.

- "On behalf of our whole family, allow me to greet you," Jelena said.

- "It is very honorable of you to offer to continue your assistance to the Kozakuran empire, to join forces with the army of the Celestial creatures," Saori said.

- "I hope to build myself a life in Kozakura, so I also have a self-interested reason to wish Kozakura to prevail," Sarevok said.

- "Either way," the old shukenja said, "our enemies are devious, and I fear that a straightforward battle is not enough. I have been able to consult a group of uwil. The uwil are spirits of deceased sohei, and this particular group resides at the cave conglomerate on a mountainside near the ancient burial grounds of our temple."

- "They possess knowledge of the prophecy of Yogenii Wan, and the times ahead. They also said that the spirit war may be but a clever diversion, or something aimed to ignite a greater danger," Saori went on.

- "Yes... a devious madman could well plan something like that," Sarevok said quietly, the muscles of his face stiff.

- " There are secrets, lost to history they have managed to unearth... and they wish to meet you in order to aid you and the Empire."

- "So we would meet these spirits at the burial grounds then?" Winski asked.

The woman nodded.

- "I will lead the way, if you but join me."

- "Consider it accomplished," Sarevok said.

The journey was a quiet one. Sarevok held Mei close, half-dizzy from her presence, and was glad to notice that Peri and Yukemori discreetly held hands. The old shukenja and her bodyguard seemed to feel uncomfortable in the imperial carriage, used to travel on foot and lead a simple, ascetic monastery life. Sarevok had heard that shukenjas of many temples were forbidden to own more than what they could carry, and traveled around in order to help people in need. Others were more contemplative, seeking solitude and internal enlightenment - and then there were those who were fascinated with the dark powers and evil spirits, using their talent in communing with the spirit world for sinister ends.

The mounds and the markers at the graves resembled those at the Daidoji mansion. There were also crypts built in the shape of boxes and pyramids, however. When Saori led the family past one of these, they saw a human skeleton with translucent bones and teeth of black glass. Sarevok's hands went for the hilt of his sword, and Peri held Umikaze tighter. The child just looked curious.

- "Fear not. It is just a djankong," Wazuka said.

- "Djjjjankong," Umikaze said, frowning in deep concentration. She often did, trying to learn as many words as possible. "Djjjankong."

Saori exchanged a few words with the apparition, who didn't reply, but disappeared.

- "Djankongs are benevolent spirits," she explained. "They keep company to worthy individuals sometimes, when they are buried far away from civil lands."

- "Er... is that a good thing?" Imoen asked.

- "Well, our late leader, the founder of our temple's style of martial arts certainly doesn't have complaints," the old woman smiled. "These spirits are high in the Celestial hierarchy and no doubt know a lot of interesting things. They also protect the crypt from evil with their mere presence."

- "The djankongs choose carefully where they will deign to live," Wazuka continued. "See - the crypt is amidst tall trees, and the lane leading there has these carvings of animals decorating it. And those," she pointed at small carved stones at each corner of the crypt, "are tse' stones - the carving is his name, and they mark this crypt his home now."

The fascinated family nodded. Soon they would meet the uwil.


sohei -a warrior protector of a temple, able to cast minor divine spells