The characters Yumi Ishiyama, Mr. & Mrs. Ishiyama, Ulrich Stern, and others are based on characters from the cartoon 'Code Lyoko.' I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.
The characters Koyo Toya, Akiko Toya, Akira Toya and Hikaru Shindo are based on characters from the manga 'Hikaru No Go' by Yumi Hotta and Takeshi Obata. I do not own, nor do I claim, any copyright to these characters.
"Koyo Toya."
Koyo Toya stirred in his bed, and awoke. He moved slowly, the ravages of age hindering his movement. He turned to the voice that had awoken him.
There, sitting before him, was his father. His long dead father.
"Koyo, listen to me," his father said.
Koyo Toya rose slowly, partially do to age, and partially so his sleeping wife, Akiko, would not be disturbed.
He bowed formally to the spirit, "yes, otōsan(1)."
His father began, "Son, you have brought Great Honor to our Family. For that reason, we have been chosen to do a Great Thing. But you must prepare."
"What great thing, otōsan?"
"Soon, a Great Lady will come to this house. She is a Great Warrior, and the Eye of Heaven itself is upon Her."
"When she comes, You shall entertain Her. And soon after that, You must Defend Her."
"Defend her? I am an old man, and I was never a soldier. How am I to defend a great lady?"
"By preparing the way. And there is Sorrow with this Joy, My Son. For soon after you meet the Great Lady, you shall Join Me Here."
"What must I do, otōsan," Koyo said after a moment of stunned silence.
"You must prepare the battlefield. Once it is prepared, you shall Join Me Here. Soon after that, you will fight the battle."
"Where will this battle be?"
"In Yugen No Ma."
Notes:
(1) otōsan: "Father."