"What can we do with our lives

When it all begins

Come follow me

And you will see

How it will be

When all the pain is gone away" – Thorn by Blind Guardian from their CD Nightfall in Middle-Earth

Kokuyoen sullenly listened to Talpa's prized Dark Warlords training and bantering. This dishonor was worse than defeat and torture. Idly, he wondered where Gashura ran off. Even though he hated the young assassin, he preferred having him rather than those humans as a comrade. Kokuyoen was once a member of the Only World Order from the same year that Talpa arrived in the netherworld. Like all younglings, Talpa was also taken to the Order to find a master. They respected each other for their powerful abilities and harsh attitudes. For several years, they talked frequently about the netherworld and the mortal world.

Kokuyoen was one of the first youja Talpa had wanted to serve him. Following the rituals of the Order, Talpa requested his lord to fight until the death during one of the Order's meetings. A warrior challenging his master was the only fighting allowed at the Order meetings. Once Talpa won, he was considered a new nether lord, and all of the previous lord's warriors had to join Talpa or participate in the youngling contests. Kokuyoen then told the Order's leader to inform lord Tanaka, who he served, that one of his warriors would betray him. After Talpa killed Tanaka, Kokuyoen took his place at his new master's side.

Together, they planned to overthrow the Only World Order and to conquer humanity. It was tough at first, and everyone who served Talpa had to work hard. He and Badamon pooled their resources together and found several defects who gladly swore allegiance to Talpa. Then, began the victorious war against the Order. The previous leader was killed and after 500 years the Order seemed almost invisible. For over 500 years, Kokuyoen enjoyed the status of Talpa's best and most revered warrior. Even though Gashura appeared and gained a little of their master's favor, he refused to believe no one could usurp his position.

However, those warlords . . . mere humans . . . Talpa's precious pets . . . Kokuyoen seethed with fury and his eyes glowed with betrayal. Youja were made to rule youja and to serve youja! Did all of his centuries of service mean nothing? Was he now going to become fodder in battle while the weakling humans gain all the glory? Glory that they had no right to obtain?

Gashura sighed and let out one mirthless chuckle. "Arden, we spent quite a few hours reminiscing over the past, and you told me what you did after I arrived in the netherworld, but you still have no clue as to why you are here."

"I suppose I am here to help the Order defeat Talpa."

He wanted to laugh again at his ignorance. "Starting with lord Katashi."

"Yes, that is who the leader decided for us to attack."

Gashura nodded, "A very good choice." Talpa considered Katashi a nuisance. "Lord Masuyo should be your second choice after Katashi. He has been at war with Talpa for centuries and is currently suffering a major defeat. Likewise, Talpa's forces are also weakened." Masuyo was the youja closest to rivaling Talpa although neither one fought the other since Talpa became emperor. A battle between him and the Order could destroy both.

"Thank you. I will suggest that to the leader when I have the chance. I am glad we will fight alongside each other once again and against Talpa. Well, you know I serve lord Kazuhide; which lord do you serve?"

"My master is of no importance in our discussion. I must leave soon."

Peering in at the two younglings, Tosura walked slowly through the hallway towards his own sleeping chamber. Although youja could choose easily between a nocturnal or daytime lifestyle, most slept at night due to habit from living in the mortal world. Glancing away from the stony bed, he saw his master approaching and immediately knelt reverentially.

Kapei stopped in front of him and spoke bluntly, "You worry that one of these younglings will gain my favor."

"Jealously will never serve my master well."

"Of course. Tosura, you are my most trusted warrior and the wisest youja in the netherworld. Do not doubt me."

"Yes, my lord."

"Then, rise and stand." Unlike most masters and servants, Kapei and Tosura had an unusual relationship based upon mutual honor and deference. Kapei respected Tosura highly for his eccentricity and unique perspectives. "Now, tell me about my younglings. I trust your judgment. How loyal are they? Who will serve me the best?"

"Garyuda understands his limitations. He is not remarkably powerful, and he knows he must have a lord to serve along with comrades. He has no ambitions of high command, but he is not selective over whom to serve. I doubt he will be persuaded to betray you. Ishino is difficult to determine; he lacks wisdom and does not know himself. Currently, he has no ambition as a future lord. He will be either a great warrior or a pathetic warrior. I cannot give you a competent answer until he is aware of himself."

Kapei nodded, "Thank you. I have spoken to our leader earlier today; he agreed to make you the strategist for the war against Talpa. He already had scrolls listing who will fight in the first battle. Analyze their strengths and weaknesses; judge them well."

"Yes, my lord."

Within a few days, the chosen groups from the Only World Order began their march. Kapei, Kazuhide, Saranbo, and Sekogun. Each lord would lead his warriors into battle with the leader at the front of all of them.

Lord Saranbo gazed bitterly at the other lords and their warriors. He hated them all. They made a mockery of the evil netherworld. He had no choice in joining the Order; Talpa was already in power, and all younglings were immediately herded into the Order's contests. Like an ignorant fool, he had blurted out his real name and suffered disgrace upon disgrace for it. He struggled to break free from his master and establish himself as a power, but he eventually succeeded. Now again, he had no choice in participating in this battle alongside lords far younger than himself.

All the lords and their warriors were assembled a mile away from Katashi's lands where no one could see them. The leader gave them a brief speech and then introduced Tosura who would inform them of the battle's strategy. Saranbo remembered Tosura from the "strategist's" youngling days. Tosura was a youja of ethical standards, believing no one from the netherworld should injure a human on the mortal world; Ronin Warriors were an exception to his rule, however. Then, there was his unusual history from his former human life. Disgusted, Saranbo listened with forced interest.

Tosura was saying, "Katashi and his three warriors are not very powerful when compared to the rest of Talpa's Dynasty. However, he does own a large portion of springs and nether soldiers, which, while weak individually, are very powerful in an army. This battle is mainly for the younglings to practice and gain experience." Then, he proceeded to tell them the strategy. Sekogun, Kapei, and their warriors would be enough to kill Katashi's most powerful warrior, Haboro. Since he had the most warriors out of any lord in this battle, Kazuhide would divide his forces, leading his three eldest warriors against the second most powerful. Lastly, Saranbo, Soretsu, Arden, and Tokushima (another of Kazuhide's numerous warriors) would battle Gosoga. Since no one expected Gashura to arrive, no one figured him into the strategy, so he chose to fight alongside Arden. Afterwards, they would regroup in the front of the castle and charge upon Katashi.

As soon as they resumed their march, Arden ran through the ranks towards the leader. He bowed hastily and asked, "I was wondering which one of Talpa's lords we would fight after Katashi. An old friend of mine informed me that Masuyo is the most dangerous after Katashi."

"Which friend of yours?" Saberstryke inquired.

"Gashura. We were war comrades before becoming youja."

"The vigilante," he stated thoughtfully. Well under 100, Gashura was still a youngling and was perhaps still ignorant. "Masuyo is currently too powerful for the Order. Once we have all of Talpa's lands, we can attack him."

"But Gashura said he is weak from a battle with Talpa."

Saberstryke lowered his head to signify a worried frown. He would leap at a chance to defeat Masuyo, but information like that needed to be correct. As far as he knew, Gashura roamed throughout the Order's lands; perhaps that nomadic lifestyle enabled him to have more up-to-date information. Perhaps Gashura's uninvited arrival towards the battlefield was merely impudence and nothing else.