Chapter 10 Part I: New Sparks
After sulking back to the house, Will was wet, cold, and shivering. It was hard to tell if she had been crying.
"I can't believe you!" Will's tone was simmering with anger, like a pot of soup ready to boil over at any moment.
Kimi glanced up. "Believe what, may I ask?" Kimi asked, her face so expressionless that Will had the desire to slap it off her face. "That your boyfriend couldn't handle fighting three Celestial Warriors, as per his request? Or perhaps it's because I broke his ego and pride? If it's the latter, I hardly think it's any fault of mine that he thinks and feel like any other boys in this world."
Will's lips were quivering with fury. "You are unbelievable!" Will shouted. The atmosphere grew tense. Orube and the other Guardians looked on in amazement as tiny ribbons of electricity emitted from Will, dancing in the air.
"Um…Will?" someone said worriedly, but Will ignored her. Her full attention was on Kimi.
"I should have known that you didn't change at all! You're still the selfish, arrogant, condescending, insensitive, manipulative girl that you'd always been!" With every adjective, a pulse of electricity flashed. Irma and Hay Lin yelped when a few electrical ribbons got too close for their comfort. Orube jumped in, spreading her arms out to prevent Cornelia and Taranee from coming too close. Kimi got up cautiously, keeping her gaze steady to match Will's. "Matt hasn't done anything to you! He hasn't wronged you like Xuan Wu! Compare to your awful family, I'd say he's a saint! I asked the two of you to at least be respectful to one another, but you always find an excuse to throw him down as if he was your plaything! Tell me! Why do you hate him so much?"
A stream of electricity crackled too close to Kimi's cheek. She could feel strands of her hair standing on ends and the nerves beneath her skin tingling. But Kimi tried not to look away, focusing all her attention on her angry friend.
Matching Kimi's icy gaze with her own, Will asked, "Why? Why did you have to humiliate Matt like that? He only wants to help! Tell me why you hate him!"
Kimi took a deep breath and with her calmest voice, said, "You're right, Will, I don't like Matt, but I know that you do."
Will blinked, noticing that she didn't use the word 'hate'.
Seeing that she had caught Will by surprise, Kimi pressed on. "You like him and care enough for him, do you not?"
Will seethed. She wasn't going to let Kimi dodge the question. "What does that have to do with how you mistreat him?"
"On the contrary, it has everything to do with how I handled him earlier."
Will twisted her lips, but relaxed her shoulders, allowing the electrical aura to subside. "Of course, I care about Matt! He's my boyfriend after all!"
"Do you care enough for his safety and wellbeing? When you recounted of your previous endeavor against Ludmoore, I was under the impression that you were distressed and anxious after Matt-boy was taken into the tome's world!"
Will cursed herself for sharing that mission. It felt like an eternity ago, its painful memory brought tears to her eyes. Will fought to suppress the feeling, but it was of no use. The tears kept coming. Vividly, she remembered Cedric told them how Matt was sucked into the Book of the Elements.
That damn book with its unnerving gaze! How it always seemed to follow them everywhere. The book embedded itself into the wall of the basement of Cedric's bookstore, luring Matt into its grasp and wouldn't let him go. She was so furious. So angry. She just wanted to hurt Cedric for taking Matt away from her. She tossed and turned in her sleeps for nights. Always the thought of him alone and afraid was on her mind, even as she and her friends were battling the elements for the keys to freed him.
"Will?" Kimi pressed.
"Of course, I do!" Will snapped. "I always cared about him and for him! Before he has magic and still now! My feelings for him has never changed!"
Kimi nodded, satisfied with her answer. "Good, then you can take comfort in knowing he'll be safe here on Earth whenever we go back to Lusteria."
Will reeled back, her jaw hitting the floor. The Guardian of Light's eyes glimmered as she took a seat. "What?"
"We're not facing someone like Ludmoore, whose ambition is to rule the elements, Will, but of demigods born and forged from the elements themselves," Kimi reminded her. "As skilled as Matt-boy has become recently, there's no doubt that it won't be enough to fight by your side."
Will gave her an incredulous look. The others exchanged bewildered glances that is perhaps mixed with intrigued.
Taranee stepped forward between them, pointing an accusing finger at Kimi. "Are you telling us that you challenged Matt on purpose just to get him to stay here on Earth to keep him safe from harm?"
Kimi gave her a coy smile. "As I've told Matt-boy earlier, I don't do things without intending a purpose."
Taranee had to admit that that was quite ingenious. Kenji had proven to be quite cunning, but Kimi was perhaps nearly on par with him, if not better. If she could be this conniving, imagine what she could accomplished if she ever decided to follow her uncle's path as future Chancellor of Nihon! The thought sent shivers down Taranee's spine.
"You are so devious!" Cornelia accused.
"I'll take that as a compliment," Kimi smiled.
"C'mon Will, at least now we know that we can focus on fighting Seiryuu without ever having to worry about Matt," Hay Lin said, trying her best to assure her.
Will let out a deep and very annoyed breath. She would have love to have Matt fighting by their side, but Hay Lin was right. After what happened to Kimi's father and Zhu Que, anything could happen that could jeopardize any one of their lives! What would she do if Matt was suddenly gone? What could she say to his mother and grandfather?
"All right, you made your point! But did you have to be so cruel in your approach?" Will asked.
Kimi shrugged. "He's your boyfriend. You saw how determined he was to join us. I'll admit using the challenge was harsh, but it was the only way to get him to see how folly it was. Wounding his pride was just part of the collateral damage." With a sly smile, she added, "And also, torturing him was just an added treat for me."
Without a word, a throw pillow flew across the room, hitting Kimi in the face.
"Let's get one thing straight, Kimi," Will said. "Matt's my boyfriend. That means only I can torture him!"
Kimi threw the pillow back at her. "Duly noted."
The house burst into fits of giggles as the others joined in, grabbing pillows and letting them sail through the air.
The rain pounded against the roof of a dark carriage as it made its way through the military camp. Flanked by two samurai warriors on horsebacks, it drew the attention of the passing soldiers only for a moment. The carriage itself wasn't very decorative, nor does it bore any seals of importance. Seeing this, the soldiers returned their attentions back to their chores and preparations. Others sat around suspended pots of gruel on tripods while the rest tried to sneak in some sleep between meals and drills. Who knew when they would be able to get another moment of rest before the next battle?
The occupant of the passing carriage leaned closer towards the window as if the smell of the gruel and the mundane chatters of the men beckoned him. Komei Kinomoto is, by no mean, a modest man. Despite his privileged background and regal position in court, he often preferred the companies of the common people to his own family or even fellow ministers. Amongst them, he could understand how they see and experience their lives under the current imperial regime. Their blunt and rough characters are true, whilst the regal beauty of the gentiles is like silk-screens. Always they hide their true, and often vile, characters behind smiles and eloquent words. Treading amongst such elite companies is like crawling over thin ice.
Komei pulled the silk curtain over the window. No time for thoughts of moonlighting peasantry like he did in his youth. Now was the time to focus on the war council meeting at hands. As Chancellor of Nihon, he was perhaps the highest-ranking individual after the emperor and the shogun to be presented at this summit. Other members would include all the daimyo of warrior clans, the clan elders, war generals, and the ministers of war and defense. The only ones absent are members of the imperial family and the Guardians. A league of elite nobles and politicians with the most seasoned generals in one huge tent and he was going to have to discuss the kingdom's dire situation and formulate plans with them all. No pressure.
At last his carriage has arrived.
"Presenting his grace, Chancellor Komei Kinomoto!" cried a footman.
As soon as Komei's name and title were declared, all heads turned. As per tradition, his audience dipped their heads respectfully as he strode in. He turned to see familiar faces, including his distant kin and fellow ministers. Most were clad in their best armors, each glistening in the pale light of the candles, while the rest wore their best kimonos in various dark shades of blue, black, green, or brown. Only Komei wore his traditional white and dark navy blue.
"Chancellor, so good of you to join us," said a family and icy voice. He didn't have to look to know that it belonged to Lady Kazue Kinomoto, one of the three elders of his own clan.
Next to her sat her husband and the current daimyo of the Kinomoto clan, Lord Isamu. To his right sat his twin, Lord Osamu. Komei could feel their cruel, black eyes following him as he took his seat.
"My deepest apologies for keeping you all waiting, ladies and gentlemen. My guards and I were kept and it couldn't be helped."
"Yes, of course. As chancellor, we understand that whatever held you earlier was just as important as this summit," said Osamu, a hint of mock peppered his words.
Komei wasn't going to let this man demean him in front of an audience. He is Komei Kinomoto, renowned for his strategic mind and eloquence. During his youth, the gentiles mocked and bullied him into submission. He responded with words so intelligent that in a way, he seduced the entire court, flattering them to his will. Time to remind Lord Osamu who he is.
"Nature has always been important, Osamu-sama. But as gifted as we Lusterians are in wielding the elements, nature itself doesn't always bend to our will. It doesn't hesitate to remind us of its might by doing so little as to disrupt our lives." He turned to face everyone else and smiled. "As you are aware, our enemy is a demigod forged and born from the element herself: Seiryuu may carry the name of the ancient Azul Dragon god, but she is determined to usurp our kingdom's rule." All the other war generals and daimyo nodded in agreement. "It is here today that we are gathered to discuss plans to counter-attack and repel against her forces. And if necessary, we must also consider contingencies as we cannot underestimate our foe."
Everyone clapped. While the Kinomoto elders joined in the applause out of politeness, they all cut him a glower.
Komei's magnanimous smile faded and the room chilled into solemn stillness. "Ladies and gentlemen, I cannot deny the grim situation our kingdom is facing. I've no doubt that you've heard of our Emperor's declining heath." Everyone exchanged nervous glances. "It is true. Our emperor is dying. The royal physicians have confirmed with me this morning, and there is nothing they can Imperial Majesty will be dead in less than a day."
Many gasped, followed by a wave of angry whispers.
"It is as he said! Nature, even the nature of death, doesn't bend to our will!" someone cried.
"May the gods save His Imperial Majesty!" said a strong and unwavering voice. It came from the back. "And long live Her Imperial Highness, Crown Princess Kazu! As the Chrysanthemum Throne passes to his heir, so too, shall our loyalty!"
Everyone turned to see an elderly and imposing man slowly making his way forward. He was dressed modestly in a dark blue kimono, his white hair and beard shining like silver in the candlelight. In one hand, he grasped a silver cane, topped with the head of a dragon. Carved from ebony, it was clearly a labor of love in its intricate details. Despite his slow pace, the newcomer's gait was graceful while his aura radiated power and respect.
If there were doubts or an attitude of arrogance towards this man, the fierceness in his eyes smothered it in an instant. Everyone held their breaths, including Komei.
"It's the Dragon of Hoshi!" whispered the daimyo of the Yamaguchi clan.
"I cannot believe he's here!" replied a general from the Tokugawa clan.
"I thought he retired years ago!" added the Minister of Defense.
Komei exhaled slowly, doing his best to keep his calm demeanor. To many of those in this meeting, he was a renown warrior. Others saw him as a skilled light-wielder. To Komei, this elderly man was simply his father.
Kyosuke Kinomoto: a talented light-wielder in his youth, became a legendary samurai warrior when he took a small contingent of warriors to battle against a plague of evil spirits before immediately returning to fight against a rising warlord in the south. As he charged into battle, the sweat on his brow glistened and sparkled in the light, making it looked as though he was bathed in a shower of stars. At least according to witnesses. Since then, he was given the title the Dragon of Hoshi.
His most accomplished feat of victory wasn't against humans, but a hoard of gashadokuro, colossal skeletal spirits that had been terrorizing a small region for years. But that's a story for another time.
The Dragon of Hoshi stopped to gaze around the tent. His piercing blue eyes fell upon his cousins. Komei couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction when the Kinomoto elders tensed under Kyosuke's scrutiny. He knew his father could be intimidating, but there was just something about him that always unnerved the elders. Since the death of his sister, Kotone, his father withdrew himself from court, distancing himself from the elders. He was content to watch and observe quietly from his estate.
"Lord Kyosuke, it is an honor to have you here," Komei said magnanimously, dipping his body. He also tried to display a sense of professionalism towards his closest kin, especially before the other nobles. No reason to give them a weakness to use against him.
His father turned away from the elders, his gaze softened as they fell on his son. His tone remained stoic. "The pleasure is all mine, Chancellor. Please, do not let my presence disrupt this summit." With grace, he took a seat beside Lord Osamu. From the look on his face, the daimyo's brother seemed uncomfortable and nervous by the seconds. Isamu ignored him while Kazue hid her expression behind a silk sleeve. Ignoring his cousins' discomfort, Kyosuke nodded for his son to continue the meeting.
"I thank you for your condolence, Lord Kyosuke. Your display of patriotism and loyalty to the crown touches my heart. Nevertheless, the Emperor is dying. Naturally, the crown will pass to his heir, Crown Princess Kazu."
"Is Her Royal Highness aware of her father's dire condition?" asked Lord Hajime, the daimyo of the Yamaguchi clan.
"She has been aware of the Emperor's declining health for months. But, considering our kingdom's warring state against such a powerful adversary, the court and I find it best to postpone the news of His Imperial Majesty's inevitable death to her."
The lords and ladies exchanged whispers of uncertainty. Komei blinked. Their disbelief and hesitation were to be expected.
"But what of her own health?" demanded Lady Shinju, wife of the daimyo Ryo Tokugawa. "It is no secret that Princess Kazu has been born with a weak heart!"
"Lady Shinju is right!" chimed in Jio Takeda, the Minister of War. Komei always find him to be irritating to work with because he was such a war hawk. His war stories in court weren't as impressive as they used to be. "The Crown Princess has always been a sickly child!"
Manabu Hojo, the Minister of Defense, stroked his beard. Komei always found him to be a little too cautious for his own good, but he preferred him over Minister Jio's rashness. "As innocent and pure as Princess Kazu is, she has never been well enough to show herself in court. Any glimpse of her were as fleeting as one would spot an elusive spirit."
A smile curled on Lady Kazue's lips. "Indeed, Minister Manabu Hojo. How assured are we in knowing that our kingdom will be inherited by a sickly child?" Komei turned his gaze upon her, but she flicked her own fan innocently. "I mean no disrespect to the crown, but none of us can deny that Princess Kazu's own position is precarious?" She turned to her husband. "Don't you agree, love?"
Isamu nodded, his gaze boring into Komei's own. "These are unstable times, Chancellor Komei," he said. "Our warriors' moral will drop when they hear of this. The demonic army will seize this chance to push them back. They'll be within reach of the Edo's borders!"
"No doubt the Celestial Warrior of Air had been privy to this for months! She could have been plotting her siege against us to coincide with the passing of the throne!" Lord Osamu added. He turned to the others and bellows, "Are we to bend to that witch's will and let her take advantage of the opportunity?"
The tent burst into loud shouts and arguments.
"We need a stronger leader!" bellowed Minister Jio Takeda. "We need someone young and healthy to bear the burden of the crown!"
"We need someone who can withstand any challenges thrown against them!" cried Lady Ren of the Mori clan.
"Someone who's not so easily bent to our enemies' threats or display of raw power!" added General Saburo of the Imagawa clan.
"By the gods, we need a man, not a child!" cried Ryo Tokugawa.
"What of Prince Katsura?" Lady Kazue suggested.
Everyone blinked at her, stunned.
"You are right, my love," Isamu nodded. He leaned back and stroked his own beard as if in thought. "Our illustrious Emperor does have another child."
"A first-born son at that," chimed in Osamu. There was a glint in his eyes that Komei didn't like.
"Yes, brother. Prince Katsura was recently declared as our shogun not too long ago. Right before our Emperor's health took a turn for the worse."
"He's young, healthy, strong, well-versed in the matter of state, and quite ambitious," Kazue pointed out.
Too ambitious! Komei thought.
He looked to see everyone muttering. Some seemed unsure, while others were keen on the idea of having someone like Katsura on the throne. He looked to see what his father thinks, but Kyosuke's face remained stoic. Like Komei, his father seemed to be aware of his cousins' machination. But he remained passive. He wanted to see how capable his son truly is. Not only as the Chancellor who can command and control others' attention but demonstrate his sharp wit and his skill as a debater. Komei had to put a stop to this insurgence with words.
He flexed his wrist, gently fanning himself into calmness. "I'm afraid that would be impossible," he retorted. The audience fell silence, turning their attention to him.
"Explain, Chancellor!" demanded Minister Manabu.
"Yes, do explain why Prince Katsura shouldn't sit on the Chrysanthemum Throne?" said General Subaru.
"Prince Katsura may be the Emperor's first child, but we cannot forget that he was born out of wedlock, and therefore illegitimate to sit on the throne."
"A simple bureaucratic fix!" Lady Kazue declared. "Blood is blood, especially when it's royalty, no?"
This coming from the woman who insisted on the purity of the Kinomoto bloodline when it comes to keeping the Guardianship in the family! Where was this talk years ago when his adopted-son, Kenji, needed love and support?
"If it were that simple, then anyone one of us can claim the throne," Komei retorted. Before any of them could say anything else, he added, "In the many thousands of years of our kingdom's founding, we never had an illegitimate ruler! All are descendant from Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun and light. To ensure that no pretender rule over us, the gods have decided that our ruler be blessed and chosen by the three Sacred Talismans."
Colors drained from Kazue's face. Her husband and his twin equally paled in fear that Komei would reveal the Sword of Heaven's Revolution to be missing!
Komei returned his attention to his audience. "And let us not forget that it would be unfair to deny deny Prince Kazu of her birthright. If you wish to add insult to injury, such an act would be a disgrace to the memory of the Emperor's late consort, Empress Shion! A woman of great lineage and nobility herself, am I right, Lady Sora?"
All heads followed his gaze to a woman sitting quietly to Komei's right. She was clad in a light set of black armor. Her long hair worn in an elegant topknot. Her only her adornment is the empty gilded scabbard and a ring of obsidian around her index finger. Lady Sora Watsuki didn't strike anyone as awe-inspiring at first, but there was no denying the fierceness burning in her dark blue eyes. Next to her sat a young man in a white kimono. Her son? It was hard to tell since he kept his head down.
Seeing that she had been given the floor, Lady Sora rose and bowed respectfully to everyone before turning to Komei. "Indeed, Chancellor," she replied, her voice light but serious. "Empress Shion was not just another aunt of mine, but a well-respected member of the Watsuki clan. She possessed all the necessary trait of a woman that our Emperor admired. Hence, the reason she was chosen to be his consort. He valued her wise counsel. It was thanks to her many advice that our kingdom was brought to stability."
The ministers and generals nodded reluctantly. Sora took this as a cue to press on. "Not only that, but like any member of the Watsuki clan, Empress Shion was descended from one the greatest shadow-wielder in history, Lord Kazuhiko! The first Guardian of Darkness!"
The tent burst with murmurs of awe. The was true, the Watsuki clan weren't as aggressive in maintaining the mantle of the Twin Guardians as the distant kin in the Kinomoto. However, they were nevertheless proud to be descended from the very first Guardian of Darkness.
Komei smiled sadly. In truth, he doesn't believe that anyone with a prestigious background is proven to be worthy of anything. Greatness can come from anywhere, but many of the gentiles held fast onto their antiquated ideology. Time to use that to his advantage if he was going to get his point across. He quickly composed himself, glad that Lady Sora seemed to be on board.
"My fellow daimyo and ministers, despite what some of you may have thought of Empress Shion, she proven herself to be a capable and an ideal Empress Consort before her untimely demise. Does anyone of you wish to refute that?" Komei declared.
None dare to renounce such a claim without sounding like a traitor to the crown in public. Komei snuck a glance at his elders. Sure enough, they tried to appear calm, but there was no doubt of the irritation in their eyes. Not long after the Emperor's marriage to Shion Watsuki, he immediately elevated some of her relatives into court positions coveted by the Kinomoto. As bitter and jealous as they still are, they wouldn't risk smearing the late empress's name without looking bad themselves.
He snuck another quick glance at his father. The old man seemed passive, but for a moment, Komei thought he saw a glint of pride in his eyes.
"Lady Sora and Chancellor Komei are right," Minister Jio admitted.
"May the gods bless Empress Shion's spirit," added Lord Hajime, trying to sound loyal. "We may never have another kind and wise Empress like her for some years."
Murmurs of agreement filled the room.
The vein in Lady Kazue's temple was throbbing.She has failed us, you knaves! Kazue thought darkly. Your precious Empress was weak to have died in childbirth! And the brat that killed her is nothing more than a sickly girl too weak to sit on the throne!
From the corner of her eyes, her husband shot her a warning glare and Kazue held her tongue. Based on the current situation, it was not a good idea to discredit the royal family. They must wait for another chance.
Komei spread out his hands. "Are you all in agreement that to deny our Crown Princess her rightful place on the throne is heresy? A blasphemy to our ancestors? Or legacy? To the gods and the great treasure in the Talismans they left behind for us?"
Sora nodded approvingly before adding, "If so, then know that you will disrespect the legacy that flows withing the veins of every descendant of the first Twin Guardians, those in the Watsuki," she slammed a fist against her chest and then pointed to Lord Isamu and the others, "as well as the Kinomoto clan!"
Sora turned her steely eyes on Isamu. The icy feeling was mutual. How he and his brother and wife would love to tear this bitch apart. It was another reason why there exist such animosity between the Kinomto and the Watsuki elders.
Komei gave Isamu a sly smile. "My daimyo, do you agree with Lady Sora?" His air-wielding magic allowed him to sense the air around the elders and from his reading, it was nothing short of murderous. But it was worth it. He had won this debate.
Isamu put on his stately smile and nodded. "How could I disagree? Lady Sora has proven her point. And may I congratulate her on becoming the daimyo of the Watsuki clan." He turned to flash her his white teeth. "As the daimyo and elder to your kin in the Kinomoto clan, I've no doubt that you'll make a fine representative and do both our clans justice."
Sora's eyes darken. She may be as young as Komei, but she wasn't fooled. "I intend to, Isamu-san."
Kazue wasn't as pleased. "Hmph! Pretty words from one so young a daimyo. Your age, your wit, and your raw skill in battle are all to be commended. A shame that your clan no longer have any Twin Guardians within your legacy."
Sora glared at her, but then laughed as if she had been teased. Komei couldn't help but laughed, too. "That would be a fallacy, my lady."
"How so?" Kazue asked.
"Tell me which family name do the current Twin Guardians carry? Kinomoto or Watsuki?"
The entire tent burst into a fit of laughter. Kazue's face flushed red, her knuckles whiten, threatening to turn her fan into dust. Sora was right! Despite Kimi and Kyochi living with the Kinomoto, they carry their father's surname. Sora Watsuki has proven herself to be as witty as Komei. She has found the one reason to render Kazue's claim completely invalid. Kazue would not forgive Sora or the Watsuki for this humiliation.
Seeing the fury in his sister-in-law's eyes, Osamu decided to divert the attention away.
"Kimi and Kyochi only carry their father's name as a part of a gesture of goodwill to your clan, Lady Sora. It was part of the marriage agreement of their parents," Osamu reasoned. The laughter finally subsided. "And praise to you, our grand Chancellor Komei. You truly are an adept debater. We are blessed to have you carry the Kinomoto name."
Komei gave them one of his mischievous smiles, knowing how much it really irks them. Underneath all that charade, they hate that he has found success without being a twin or a Guardian. All without their help and they were losing their hold over him. He has one more card to play and it was going to really kill them on the inside.
"All of your worries in regard to the Crown Princess are understandable," Komei said. "If it will put your minds at ease, then may I suggest that I continue to guide and give counsel to her as I have always done to for our Emperor?"
The other clan elders seemed skeptical at first, but the ministers and war generals appeared a little more at ease. They were familiar with Komei's tactics. Should he continue to do so with Princess Kazu, the stability of their kingdom is assured.
Ignoring the glaring eyes from his elders, Komei stroke his beard and turned to the war generals. Time to refocus. Lady Sora sat back down while he turned to acknowledge the small group of generals.
Among them is General Katsumi Kinomoto, the father of the Kiyomi and Kazumi. He was not that much older than Komei himself. He wore a plain set of armor, but his face was the most striking due to claw marks that gashed over one eye. The old curmudgeon wore it like a badge of honor, having received it from an encounter with a vicious bear during his youth. The loss of an eye had not deterred him from committing fulling into becoming the best general in the clan. His only other pride and joy are his daughters and his flooded garden.
"Generals, what news do you have on the frontline?" Komei inquired.
Katsumi stepped forward and snapped his fingers. The candlelight dimmed at his command. Lights gathered before everyone until they formed a holographic map of the kingdom.
"Neither good nor grim, Chancellor," Katsumi huffed. He pointed to an area. The map zoomed in to show Edo, its surrounding terrain, and bits of other nearby provinces. "As you can see, most of Seiryuu's forces are coming from these hills, located several kilometers outside of Edo, and it is here where the majority of our forces are meeting them in battle."
"But Seiryuu's armies have been attacking several towns and cities simultaneously," added General Saburo. "Based on the reports, she has taken most of our kingdom's northern and western provinces."
"At this rate, she'll envelop all of Nihon!" Minister Jio exclaimed.
"Not exactly," said Katsumi. He pointed to the provinces still marked in green. "The southern provinces as well as the coast regions here and here have yet to be taken. Seiryuu seemed to be intentionally overlooking them in favor of taking on Edo."
"No doubt these provinces will fall should she succeed in conquering Edo!" Minister Jio grumbled indignantly.
"Seiryuu is also known as the Lady of Lust these days," Komei noted. "True to the meaning of her title, Seiryuu has a deep lust for power and Edo is the conglomerate of all that she desires. The wealth, he throne and the imperial family. The home of the Twin Guardians and the Talismans that they carry. All the major clans are within this very city."
"Forget these regions, the Celestial Warriors have been harassing our neighbors just to ruffle our feathers before striking the capital cities!" Lady Sora said as she came closer to the map. "If Seiryuu could take Edo, all of Nihon is hers."
"What makes you so certain?" Lord Osamu demanded.
Sora ignored his condescending tone. "I've heard news from our distant kin living in Zhong-guo. It was the same when they fought with the Guardians against Byakko."
Minister Manabu rubbed his brows tiredly. "Official reports from our foreign diplomats and ambassadors in Joseon and Annam also confirmed this. These Celestial Warriors are using the same tactics. The problem is that we never know when and where their armies would appear. They move as swift as lightning and powerful as a tsunami. Enough to cripple any small forces stationed in those areas. Our warriors and soldiers are demoralized."
"And demoralized soldiers are more susceptible to Seiryuu. Her Deadly Sin can easily influence them to convert and join her sides," General Katsumi added vehemently.
"It's hopeless then?" someone behind his asked.
"What kind of question is that? Are you a warrior or a coward?!"
Komei raised a hand to silence them before another argument broke out. He turned to his cousin. "General Katsumi, you mentioned our situation isn't entirely grim. Explain."
"Not everyone is susceptible to Seiryuu's influence. There are smaller clans in the fallen provinces who fought their way to join us in Edo. The imperial army has consolidated all the major clans. Incorporating these smaller clans has been making a small difference."
Komei nodded approvingly. "The smallest difference could be the key to victory. Now, more than ever, we must unify all of our forces."
The Minister of Defense pointed to the long coastal region of Nihon. "What of the seas?" Manabu asked. "Most of our forces are here. Should Seiryuu decided to attack us from behind on the coastline, we'll be in trouble."
Komei gave him a reassuring smile. "I've taken care of such an oversight, Minister Manabu. The mermaid Queen Umi and her nautical forces are patrolling the coastline as we speak. Any dark spirits of the sea under Seiryuu's command have already been neutralized." Looks of relief washed over everyone's face, including Manabu's. Komei hated what he was about to say. "My main concern, however, is here."
Komei pointed his fan to the barely undefended mountain and forest side of Edo. Beyond that is the vast realm of the infamous Dark Forest.
Katsumi sighed wearily. "We've only a handful of imperial soldiers to man that area, and for good reasons."
"Those woods are cursed!" cried General Saburo Imagawa. "Nothing but tengu and jubokku roaming the area! Only fools would venture in there after what happened to the people of Shinrinkage!"
"The Dark Forest is where our enemies lie," Komei pointed out. "I've no doubted that Lady Seiryuu is aware of this and may send her most powerful spirits to come from this very direction when we least expect it."
"I am not sparing a single imperial soldier into that damn place!" bellowed Minister Jio, his face was beetroot red. "They are needed here to protect our city!"
"Sending what little soldiers or warriors that we have left would be a slaughter, not to mention a waste," Lady Ren affirmed.
"We cannot let fear dictate our tactics," Komei insisted. "If we do nothing, we leave ourselves open to our enemy."
"Then what do you expect us to do?" demanded Lord Isamu. "Only shadow-wielders can venture into that cursed place without fear!"
"Look at what has happened to our Gaudian of Darkness!" Lady Kazue added. "Kyochi was last seen going into the Dark Forest months ago and never emerged. According to his sister, he was captured by the Celestial Warriors!"
The tent broke into an uproar. Komei remained calm and collected. As Chancellor, he must put on a display of equanimity, especially in times of distress.
"The only being capable enough to hold off such evil is the Prince of Darkness himself! Yet he's not been seen and the only other person who knows of his whereabout and can summon him is Kyochi Watsuki!" Lady Ren cried.
"Then it's true?" Lady Senju asked coolly. "Our enemies kidnapped the Guardian of Darkness to deny us the greatest chance of an easy victory."
"If our most powerful Guardian has been incapacitated, then what chance would any of our warriors have against those monsters?"
"What of your clan, Lady Sora?" Osamu asked. "The Watsuki may have forgone any reign for the roles of Twin Guardians, but that doesn't mean they aren't without value. If I am not mistaken, your clan are known to have the most shadow-wielders."
Sora's eyes were cold. "Are you suggesting that I throw away my kinsmen into the Dark Forest as I would throw away meat to a tiger?"
"And are your shadow-wielders cowards? Unwilling to sacrifice themselves for our survival?"
"Spare me your lecture on honor and sacrifice, Lord Isamu," Sora's voice lowered into a dangerous whisper as she leaned in and said in a voice that only he could hear, "You are the last person to lecture me on such notion. Or should I remind everyone that it was you and your machination that drove Ran to her death? And what did her sister do? I believed she ran away with her grandfather's Sword."
Isamu paled instantly as he stared at her in shock. How was this woman aware of the disappearance of the Sword of Heaven's Revolution? After the thief's disappearance, the Kinomoto elders fought hard to conceal such a scandal.
Sora was delighted to see that she had hit a sensitive spot. "Do not mistake my youth for naivety. I may be young enough to be your daughter, but I am the daimyo of the Watsuki clan. I have eyes and ears everywhere, in places that you wouldn't even think to consider."
Isamu looked as if he were about to murder her on the spot, or at least lash an equally impressive threat to show his standing. Before he could utter another word, everyone eyes have turned.
Kyosuke Kinomoto stood, leaning casually on his cane. Everyone watched as the Dragon of Hoshi slowly made his way towards the holographic map. He pointed his cane at the spot deep within the heart of the Dark Forest.
"Shinrinkage," he muttered, his soft voice carrying weight. "A shame that the people are gone, killed by a mysterious dark creature. From what my granddaughter told me, it was like no demons or spirits she had ever seen. A creature whose hide was made of writhing darkness and bloodshot eyes as red as bright as fire." The atmosphere chilled. The other nobles glanced at each other nervously.
Lord Isamu coughed, trying to clear his throat. Komei frowned. If he didn't know any better, there were beads of perspiration running down the daimyo's brow. How curious. He glanced to see both Osamu and Kazue looking equally as uncomfortable under Kyosuke's gaze.
"Indeed," Lord Isamu replied cautiously. "The loss of so many deepen our sorrows." He didn't sound sorry to Komei in the least.
Kyosuke, too, raised an eyebrow. "Yes, a great loss indeed," he smiled. Lowering his cane, he paced back and forth as if in deep thought. "A great loss that still reverberates to this day, don't you agree?"
"My lord, what are you insinuating?" Lady Kazue asked suspiciously.
The smile on Kyosuke's face was unsettling. Even Komei could feel his spine tingling. "I insinuate nothing, my lady," he replied. "I am simply stating that if such a massacre had not taken place, would we not be in this predicament?"
Murmurs and whispers filled the tent again. Kyosuke ignored them. "Tell me, Lord Isamu, do you think we would have had more than enough help from the shadow-wielders of Shinrinkage if they hadn't been killed?" He turned to face everyone, "Despite what many of you think of shadow-wielders, you cannot deny they have more affinity with the darkness than any of us. The denizens of Shinrinkage would have been a blessing to us in this time of difficulty!"
Like children being scolded by a parent, the other leaders turned and looked away, ashamed of their prejudice and mistreatment for any shadow-wielders they had inflicted. But Komei kept his eyes on Isamu and the others. For a moment, there was absolute fear on the faces of the Kinomoto elders! It was as if Kyosuke's words had hit the right nerve, coaxing enough shock out of them. But why? Komei couldn't understand why his father's words would have such an affect. There was no reason for the elders to be worried. News of the tragedy in Shinrinkage had spread to the farthest corners of their kingdom. But the truth of its tragedy is only known by a few: those who resides in the heavenly realm of Kandrakar, the Guardians, and himself!
Komei's mind swirled around, grasping for logic and explanation. Could it be that Lord Isamu and the elders knew something about Shinrinkage? Something that only the three of them are privy to? If this was true, his own father seemed to be aware of it and had discreetly claim that he knows their secret. A secret that they don't wish for Komei or anyone else in this tent to know of.
The fear on the Kinomoto elders' faces died, giving way to their usual contempt and arrogance. "Honorable cousin, the tragedy three years ago still have a great effect on us today. You are right, had there been any survivors, we wouldn't be in this predicament."
Kyosuke's fingers tapped against the dragon-headed sculpture of his cane. "There had been survivors. My grandchildren had been sent to Shinrinkage by Kandrakar to investigate the incident. In the wrecks, they happened upon two survivors and were escorted to the Watsuki clan for refuge."
Lady Sora nodded in affirmation. "Yes, little Ai and her grandfather, Subaru Yamamoto. Kyochi brought them to my estate and we offered them sanctuary since. Unfortunately, Yamamoto-san is too old to be of help on the battlefield and his granddaughter is still just a child. They are the last legacy of Shinrinkage and I will not sacrifice nor condemn them back into a terrible place."
"It's for the best," Kyosuke said, before turning his attention back on Isamu. "And if I'm not mistaken, my grandchildren were accompanied by another," the old warrior turned and gave Komei and General Katsumi a look of genuine sadness, "a young and ambitious man, by the name of Seiji Minamoto, married to one of Katsumi's girls, I believed."
Komei could hear whispers behind him again, most of them by the noble ladies.
"I've heard of him. What a pity. He was so young."
"Such a shame."
"Didn't he make a fool of himself in front of the entire court?"
"A fool he was! To think that he could assist the Guardians against a monster!"
"My son asked if he could marry that boy's widow! I couldn't bare the idea of him marrying someone so unlucky!"
"So the bride really is unlucky?"
"One must pity the Minamoto clan."
"I feel sorry for the Kinomoto! The Chancellor lost a protégé and General Katsumi a son-in-law."
Their whispers were like poison. The mention of Seiji's death left a lump in Komei's heart. He glanced over at Katsumi to see his eyes equally filled with silent rage.
"Enough," Komei said, raising hand to silence their rumors.
Katsumi sighed in relief. This man with his scared face had endured much suffering these past three years. His daughter, Kazumi, was inconsolable when she learned of Seiji's death and it had been difficult to find a willing groom for her sister, Kiyomi. Both Komei and Katsumi had been surprised when Kenji asked to marry the older twin. Neither fathers were entirely thrilled of the match, but the elders had not condemned it. Unfortunately, there had a been a vicious rumor going around, and still does today, painting Kazumi as the bride of great misfortune. No elite family wanted to risk marrying their sons off to someone so unlucky for fear it would kill the new husband. Worse yet, that bad luck could rubbed off on them! After Seiji's death, the Minamoto clan's shipping empire hasn't been the same. Not wanting his remaining daughter to turn into a spinster, Katsumi agreed to let Kenji marry her, but only after the young man finished his studies and settled down into a respectable job. Kazumi's fate as a widow seemed indefinite.
Kazue's face darkened as she stepped before Kyosuke. "Despite his radical ideals, Seiji Minamoto was as much a part of the prestigious Kinomoto clan by marriage, if not by name or blood!" she said with an air of condescension.
"Calm yourself, wife," Isumi said. "Kyosuke-sama, surely you must have a reason to indicate the importance of Shinrinkage other than to stir up such unpleasant memories for your kinsmen?"
If the Dragon of Hoshi was bothered by his cousin's air of arrogance, he did well to ignore it. Instead, he paused in his stride as if in deep thought. "Shinrinkage is more than a place of shadows and disaster," he replied. "For all that you despair over its demise, you seemed to have failed to take notice of the miracle it had given us. The brightest stars shine only in the darkest of the night sky."
"Seiji Minamoto's death was never the fault of the Guardian of Light," Komei interjected. "Had it not been for Kimi, the creature would likely have gotten closer to Edo, putting everyone in this city in danger! We are owed to her more than gratitude, but our own lives!"
The other elites nodded and whispered in agreement and for a moment, Komei let himself enjoyed a sense of great satisfaction.
The three Kinomoto elders' faces contorted into murderous fury. But like the changing wind and sea, the current turned. A spark of an idea illuminated in the daimyo's mind. Komei's spine turned into ice when he saw Isamu's lips curling into a smile. It was a smile that always resulted in the misery of others, especially his own kin, for his and the elders' own benefit. Not good.
"Well, Chancellor Komei," Isamu began, his humbled tone merely to mask his mockery, "based on your words of recommendation, there is clearly only one person capable enough to brave the Dark Forest. Kimi Watsuki herself. Send out a message to Kandrakar and ask them to recall the Guardian of Light."
Komei's heart sank into the pit of his stomach. "You want to send Kimi back into that dreadful place?" Komei asked. "Have you lost your senses? Whatever Seiryuu has lurking in that forest would surely be as dangerous if not more so than the Shinrinkage creature!"
"Kyochi was taken by the Celestial Warriors when he ventured into the heart of the forest, no doubt to seek counsel with the Prince of Darkness," Lady Sora added, her tone radiating of equal disgust. "You've already lost one Guardian to the enemy! Now you want to hand them our remaining one?"
Lady Kazue turned on her. "But Kimi is not the only Guardian. She has allies! In fact, five of them, and each a Guardian who can wield the very elements! Not to mention the warrior from Basiliadé is with them!"
Osamu turned to Komei. "Are we wrong to believe that Kandrakar has abandoned us? To send us five Guardians, five, whom we have never heard of other than our own twins, to assist only the other neighboring kingdoms? Who are they to only assist those in Zhong-guo, Joseon, and Annam, but not Nihon?"
Sora and Komei were speechless. The other ministers and lords began to whisper to one another from behind.
"It's true! There are five more Guardians, and from Earth, no less!" whispered Lady Shinju. "I didn't think they have any affinity for magic left!"
"Indeed! Earth is nothing but a cesspool of duplicity and depravity! What was Kandrakar thinking of choosing five children from such a horrid place to become Guardians?" hissed Lady Ren.
"Kandrakar is wise, surely they must have seen something special in such Earthlings?" countered Lord Hajime. "They say that even from the filth of the mud blooms the lotus flower, beautiful and pure."
"True enough, and I've seen glimpse of them when they last appeared at the university!" chimed in Ryo Tokugawa.
"I heard that the Guardian with the golden hair defeated the Celestial Warriors Xuan Wu and brought spring early to the people in Joseon!" exclaimed Minister Manabu.
"And those who fought in the battle in Zhong-guo described a Guardian with hair red as the fire bird stabbing the Celestial Warriors Byakko through the heart with a sword made of lightning! The essence of Heaven!"
"The nobles of Annam claimed these very same Guardians has saved them from the vengeful Champa queen and from the Celestial Warriors Zhu Que himself not long afterwards!"
"Then by all means, we must have the Guardian of Light and her allies return here at once!"
Komei wanted to protest and give these gentries an earful. As Kimi's adopted father, his protective instinct was fighting to kick in.
"Tell me, Chancellor," Isamu said, his voice was like sweet honey used to lure in flies, and at this moment, Komei felt more like one. "Tell me, are any of these tales true or an exaggeration?"
Calm thyself! A voice in the back of Komei's mind fluttered. A calm mind can see and weather all the roughness of your opponents' words. For now, follow the current of the river and when the time comes, plan how to escape and avoid the rapids.
Komei let out a deep breath. He will let the Kinomoto elders think they have won this for now. Let everyone believe that he, as a part of the Kinomoto clan, are arguing with his own elders and debating the best course of actions.
"I cannot deny these claims as false," Komei said coolly. "News from all three kingdoms as well as Kandrakar verified the Guardians' feats of strength."
Isamu and the others looked pleased. "Then it's decided. Ridding us of the Shinrinkage creature and facing three powerful Celestial Warriors! The Guardians are more than capable of handling any of Seiryuu's creatures lurking in the Dark Forest. Perhaps even the Lady of Lust herself?"
Murmurs of agreement filled the tent. Lady Sora nodded hesitantly while Kyosuke remained silent and stoic.
"Lord Isamu has a valid point, Chancellor Komei," said Minister Manabu. "In fact, I think we are all in an agreement our forces could rest easy in knowing the Guardians would man the Dark Forest."
Minister Jio stroke his beard thoughtfully. "Yes, yes, I think would do quite nicely! Amen to you, Minister Manabu." He walked up to the holographic map. "Our main forces can act as a distraction by taking on Seiryuu's forces on the front line here. The Guardians, on the other hand, would be able to sneak in through the Dark Forest from here. If stories of their incredible powers are true, then it would be child's play for them to take down any dangerous yokai lurking in these woods. From there, they can sneak into the hidden palace of the Celestial Warriors. If they can kill three demigods, one or two more shouldn't be too difficult. With Hwang-Ryong and Seiryuu gone, their followers will follow suit and we will achieve victory!"
The other generals applauded. General Katsumi joined in hesitantly. Komei could do nothing as everyone seemed to agree with the plan that Isamu had manipulated into action.
"Very well, I will send out a message to Kandrakar and through them, ask the Guardians to return and assist us in this campaign. If there are no other objects, shall we move on to other matters of state?"
After the summit dissolved, Koumei turned to face the three Kinomoto elders. "Lord Isamu, have you lost your senses?"
"Steady your tongue, Komei," Isamu warned. "You may be the Chancellor, but do not forget that you are a Kinomoto first. I do not need to remind that your loyalty should be to your clan."
Komei wanted to shove one of his witty retorts down this man's throat. For gods' sake, he's the Chancellor of Nihon! He achieved one of the most prestigious positions in court, and by his own merit! One would think Isamu and the other elders would be beaming with pride of his accomplishment. Instead, they lord his position over others, all the while treating him as if he only earned the title of Chancellor through their grace.
"There is no doubt you have brought great honor to our clan when you became Chancellor, but even such a prestigious position can be revoked and appointed onto others," Lady Kazue reminded him. "If what you say is true and our Emperor is dying, we cannot rely on the next ruler to be assured of your position."
"Therefore, we must ensure the Kinomoto can be counted on in times of peril," Osamu added. "We had to show the other clan leaders that we are capable of taking decisive action."
"By throwing Kimi back into the Dark Forest?" Komei asked furiously. "You're treating her as if she's disposable!"
"She's a Guardian and a warrior!" Isamu replied dangerously. "Or have you raised her to be a coward? To bring shame in dishonor to this clan?"
Komei stood his ground. "I raised her to be a strong and intelligent woman!"
"No, you have raised her to be an insolent and ungrateful child!" Kazue spat. "And those Earthling she has kept as company are unworthy as Guardians! What was the Gemini Council thinking? Sending her to live with those uncouth girls! A warrior must always be prepared to die! And Guardians must always fight so that others may live!"
Lies, Komei thought. Nothing but lies underneath all the platitude.
"You speak of honor, but where is the respect when Kimi defeated the Shinrinkage creature?" Komei countered. "Kyochi and Seiji were nearly depleted of their magic, but it was she who displayed courage. Like a true warrior, she was prepared to die fighting against the monster, and like a true Guardian, she placed her brother's life above hers and tried to send him away to safety. Instead of respect, you've done nothing but mistreated her and blamed her for Seiji's death!"
Komei knew he should have kept his mouth shut, but a part of him, the fatherly part, was willing to risk their ire to defend Kimi. The look he received had never been more venomous. Isamu silently stepped toward him.
"So, you believe we have been unfair to Kimi?" he asked, his low and cool tone sending shivers down Komei's spine. "Have we not reinstated her father's position after his death? Have we not allowed you to raise her after all these years? Allowed her and her brother to study at the university? Had we insisted on keeping her here when the Gemini Council wanted to send her to that awful Earth?"
"I hardly considered such gestures as a valid form of gratitude," Komei replied.
"I see," said Isamu. "Then we must right this wrong by rewarding something to her own benefit."
This must be a trick and Komei wasn't buying it.
"If I recalled correctly, we did ask you to summon Kimi back for evaluation as soon as her mission in Annam was over," Kazue said.
"Make no mistake, Komei," Isamu continued, "Kimi and her allies will help Nihon by going through with War Minister Jio's plan. She has braved and survived the Dark Forest before. She can do it once more."
"And what would be her reward if she were to succeed?" Komei asked.
Isamu ignored his retort. "Marriage, Komei," he answered. "If Kimi succeeds, not only will we guarantee that she'll be honored and respected by all members of this clan, but a promising future to a husband."
Komei's heart plunged into an abyss. It felt as if he had been stabbed a hundred time to the point of numbness. "Marriage?" he whispered in disbelief. "But she's only—"
"She's of nineteen years, Komei," Kazue said incredulously. "As her guardian, you should have married her off at least three years ago. Now, I know it hasn't gone well in finding a suitable match for Kyochi, but it's still not too late for Kimi."
Komei was brimming with disgust. Arrange marriages for the Kinomoto often led to disasters. Nearly all of them resulted in nothing but misery or tragedy, all for the sake of giving Isamu and the elders the chance to grab power. After what happened to his own sister, cousins, and nieces and nephews, he had hoped to spare Kimi from such a fate.
"We've allowed Kimi too much freedom these past three years as it is," Osamu said. "Naturally, we understand her duty as a Guardian takes precedent since her ascension, but now she must carry her duty and marry someone of noble ranking and continue our legacy."
Komei opened his mouth to protest, but Isamu cut him off. "Have no fear, Chancellor. With her reputation as the Guardian of Light, I'm certain there would be no shortage of eligible candidates. We will allow her to choose from the list that we will approve, a privilege rarely offered to anyone before. We will make certain that any husband of her choosing will offer her a happy marriage and a bright future."
"Now, Chancellor, if there is nothing else, I believe your presence is required at the palace," Kazue said, dismissing him.
"Our Emperor needs you," Osamu smiled arrogantly. "Do our clan proud."
Silence was Komei's reply as he dipped into a bow. Disappearing out of the tent, Komei climbed into his carriage and ordered to be taken back to the palace. As the carriage made its way through the rain, he contemplated over the talk.
It most certainly hadn't gone well. Describing Isamu and his wife and brother as psychopaths was putting it mildly. Their veiled generosity disgusts him. He knew they have great contempt for Kimi as they had for her father and anyone who dissent. Beating her into submission had been too exhausting for them. The prospect of an arrange marriage is nothing more than an attempt to reign in her fierceness. It doesn't matter how capable she is as a Guardian. How much honor and respect she has brought to their family names recently. To Isamu and the others, she will always be another pawn for their dreams of power.
He thought about his cousins, the granddaughters of the previous Guardian of Light. Pressured and threatened into marriage with the last shogun, both sisters defied Isamu's spectacularly; the youngest by stealing away the Sword and escaping to a world far beyond their reaches, and the oldest by taking her own life.
Komei's mind began to think. Kimi was already on Earth and has the chance to make a new life for herself there. He could send her a message and tell her to stay there, never come back to Lusteria. There was no future for her here. The thought of never seeing Kimi again pains him, but he would rather that she be far away and happy, away from the clan elders' control and influences.
Komei sighed sadly. Kimi wouldn't do it even he if ordered her to. Her brother was still missing and his captors are still raging war on Lusteria. So long as Kyochi and her world is in danger, Kimi would never abandon her home for the mere chance of freedom. She's a Guardian and warrior. Instilled in her is the will to fight and sacrifice herself for others.
A new spark of defiance quietly burned within him. He'll find another way to help her. He always had and always will.
To be continued…
Finally, we get to see more of Komei's side of the story. A lot of new characters, but these are the ones that you'll need to remember:
Komei Kinomoto – the Chancellor of Nihon. Kotone's older brother and the twins' maternal uncle.
Kyosuke Kinomoto – Kimi and Kyochi's maternal grandfather and their martial arts' teacher. He earned the nickname the Dragon of Hoshi in his youth as a fierce warrior.
Sora Watsuki – The daimyo of the Watsuki clan. A distant cousin of the twin's late father, Kohaku.
Hikaru Watsuki – unnamed yet in this chapter, but the adopted son of Sora. He has been very quiet throughout the summit but will play a major role later with the Guardians.
Isamu Kinomoto – the daimyo of the Kinomoto. He doesn't care who he has to sacrifice or hurt so long as his clan maintain power.
Kazue Kinomoto – the wife of Isamu and the most cruel and sadistic of all three.
Osamu Kinomoto – Isamu's right-hand man and a skilled samurai.