Disclaimer: I do not own Jackie Chan Adventures, or Yu Yu Hakusho.
Queen of Shadows
A Jackie Chan Adventures Fanfiction
Written by Eduard Kassel
Created by Nocturne no Kitsune
Beta'ed by Zim'smostloyalservant
Adopted to Finish What a Friend Began
Summary: Last chapter, disaster! Jade's escape attempt failed spectacularly. Delivered from the very carnivorous grasp of a treacherous Tanuki, Jade found herself at the nonexistent mercy of the Demon Queller.
Saved by the intervention of Yojimbo Hiruzen and other Generals, the Shogunate in the Shadow members escaped, aided by the illusions of Nonki.
While her identity remains secret, Jade now faces increased restrictions to enforce the Queen's safety. And she starts to struggle to some degree with feelings of guilt regarding the Shadowkhan she has created.
And meanwhile, war continues to be waged on Kyushu.
Victory and Defeat
Lord Rokutaro kept his face schooled as he looked over the three powerful figures seated before him. Once again in the utmost secret audience chamber, but it was a reminder why he had waited so long to gather them together. Secrecy was difficult when so many dynamic individuals came together.
"A true pity you could not capture her, but we know more of her now than we did before. To think, that the Queen of Shadows is veiled in mystery to hide a helpless nature beyond her armies," Lord Rokutaro said.
"My lord, I must apologize. Had I not let my vengeance blind me, we may have her bound here in Tobe now."
The Demon Queller was respectful. She and Himitsu both bowed before him as before vassals reporting failure. Nonki, by contrast, reclined against the wall, spurning the pads and strumming at his shamishin.
Calming music… was the Peaceful Musician influencing him right now, or attempting to on their behalf?
It mattered little right now.
"You are forgiven, serve better next time. Being a woman is no excuse to act on reckless impulse.
"You two are dismissed, return to your preparations. Nonki remain," the lord declared.
They left with the ease of those confident in their abilities. And he was alone with Nonki, the Peaceful Musician, with many wards ensuring none of the guards could hear what went on inside.
He almost started when the unkempt man switched to a rapid tune, a wisp of light dancing like a bird in the room.
With a final loud note, the image popped.
"Ahh, that was a thrilling trip, Rokutaro. I already am so pleased to have accepted your offer. Though the fine sake and views already compensated me on the first day of our meeting, I suppose," the man chuckled.
"You were not seen?" Rokutaro demanded.
"Oh yes, no doubt. It wasn't just whimsy I took to the sky rather than joined them initially," Nonki smiled at him. The daimyo cared not for smiles like those — it made him wonder how much of the man and his ways was an illusion. And what was under it?
Or was it just a trickster making him paranoid over nothing?
"You are my trump card, Nonki. I cannot afford to have you revealed to them while Hiruzen remains in play."
"Hmm, yes. Sorry if I worried you. Though you worry too much anyway."
"Worried is the natural state of any daimyo with a shred of the wisdom and responsibility his office demands."
"Makes me glad you are Lord and not me. Well, if there is nothing else, until next time," Nonki said with a wave of his hand, climbing to his feet with a grunt.
"I did not dismiss you," Rokutaro said.
"Oh, that's okay, you've got a lot on your mind, I understand," Nonki said, opening the shogi door and leaving.
"…I hope the kami are so generous as to let me put him in his place even if only for a day when this is over," Rokutaro rumbled. He was just thankful he had not brought Murakami.
X X X
Jade was in the meditation chamber again. Ever since the Incident, she had been spending a lot of her time here. And by "incident", she was not talking about the kidnapping — she had been through too many near-death situations, including abductions, for that to warrant a title. No, what troubled her most now was her breakdown. She had gone into shock or something. That was not normal, not for her.
Jade Chan was not fearless. She did lots of stuff despite being scared of it. Granted, Jackie would argue she should have more fear, but that was not the point. Jade knew about being afraid, about panic, dread and the whole gaggle of undesirable emotions that gatecrash thrilling times in your life.
They were like classmates that annoyed you constantly; you didn't like them, but you could put up with them. Push past them even, if they rocked you back on your heels or knocked you onto your butt for a second. She lacked such familiarity with this.
It wasn't easy to focus on the problem. She didn't really want to, Jade admitted, squirming a bit on the pedestal.
She had binged on the astral projection during her confinement at first, exploring in that manner, and making funny faces at Shadowkhan she knew couldn't see her. But like her first out of body experience, exploration fell flat, as it only drove home her physical confinement, and the limits of not being able to interact with the world even as you see it.
Hiruzen had not been to see her since. Oh, he brought reports, but that was all. Perfectly professional, perfectly detached.
But she was drifting again!
And she couldn't even focus in the library. Which meant magic research was a no go. And of course, she was constantly being spied upon now.
Drifting!
By Uncle's chronic pains, she was bad at this!
Focusing on her breath, she forced her attention inward. No fancy magic, or resting calm, this was the kind of reflection Jackie had taught and stopped short of demanding when he wanted her to think about what she had done.
'No more evasions, Jade. We've acted rashly and our luck ran out. it was the Shadowkhan who saved us,' she thought.
That seemed to strike a match in her head. Memory, not lost but somehow overlooked. No, she had probably just not looked hard enough.
Jade had felt that sort of collapsing helplessness once before. The realization she could not do anything meaningful against what she faced. When Hak Foo had chased her into that alley. Back when he had still been a menacing figure, and alone in the dark and cornered, she'd for once not been so confident someone would save her.
That had been before she pulled off things like bluffing her way free of Shendu's whole family. But that changed nothing in that moment.
And then she had been saved by the Shadowkhan, too. Though she had not realized it at the time.
Eyes opening, she took another breath.
Jade was not accustomed to being helpless. Was that the root of her breakdowns? The realization she was in over her head, and no one was on hand to pull her out. That between murderous heroes or brutal Hak Foo, her efforts to talk her way out might just be ignored, and there would be no time for any clever plan and no lucky tool at hand to turn things around?
She had almost died. And she would have died a monster, no one knowing who she was. She supposed it would just be as dead, but it seemed like somehow a super death or something with that in mind.
Was that all, then? That she was coming face to face with mortality long after sense said she should have already?
Or was it that senseless feeling that it was not hitting home? Yes, she worried, especially about Jackie, like with the stone poison. But it had always turned out okay, hadn't it? The days where bad guys ran rampant long enough to do damage was consigned to backstory in her saga, and the heroes saved the day just in the nick.
Jackie would call it delusional. And be right. Even if that was her life story, this was a different story, and she was going to have to play by different rules.
Her ability to prepare was now hampered, with Hiruzen spying on her 24/7. There would be no magic trick up her sleeve to surprise the Khan with.
To escape?
Well, escape was now no longer a sooner-the-better deal. She had been reduced to a babe in the woods. She'd like to think she wouldn't fall for a deception like that again, but even so, wizards — and that was her class now — needed only one slip-up to be made helpless.
And where would she go? She wasn't dealing with Golden Age superheroes. These heroes were products of a dark age, in both senses of the word. Likely shaped and motivated by tragic losses. Counting on them to ask questions before slaying their equivalent of Shendu was expecting too much from people suffering under the Shadowkhan yoke.
At the very least, when she went to the heroes she would need to be strong enough to ensure she could get her say in.
Hmm, the best scenario, admittedly, would be a captive hero she could then confide in. Gain some trust and then aid their escape?
Yes, there was a plan there. And she could even suggest it to Hiruzen as a legitimate act for purposes of gathering intelligence.
But that was for later. She needed time to prepare. To regain Hiruzen's confidence. To become strong enough in magic that she could hold her own.
This last plan had not gone wrong, it had been simply and utterly a bad plan. She had leaped at opportunity, and it had turned out to be a tiger trap.
She could not afford a second blunder like that.
So, conclusion. She had been an utter idiot. Now to stop being an idiot and be patient to do this right.
The thought of Hishu cropped up as it did so often, but she pushed the notion down with a mental jerk she was trying to make reflexive. She was not responsible for the new evil she had unleashed on the world.
When she walked out of this room, she was going to put on her best evil princess act, and she would try to rock it as much as she tried to rock adventuring. But, she was still Jade Chan, and Jade Chan was many things, and mother to a bunch of shadow creatures was not on the list.
X X X
Ikazuki sat on his officer stool, watching the new slaves be led out of the courtyard of the fallen castle.
Another victory, and with Lord Goyo's holdings now overrun, there remained only one rallying point for the humans of Kyushu. His campaign plan was proceeding as expected — no, if anything, it was exceeding expectations.
Yet again, the Samurai General was left feeling satisfied and displeased in a most undesirable sense.
Sipping sake freshly plundered, his eyes drifted to the samurai bodies crucified over the gate. Headless; the heads had already been given proper burials befitting their honorable defiance. Their bodies would follow suit, later. For now, they would serve to remind the slaves of the futility of resistance.
Those samurai had been brave, but impotent against him. And while the monks at various junctures had posed something of a challenge, they lacked the spirit of the bushi.
There would only be one real battle more before he turned Kyushu over to Ozeki, and then likely years, maybe a decade, before any move against Honshu. There was no glory in the slaughter, or the ease of dominion, he was encountering.
"Pining for worthy foes, oh mighty Warlord?" Jirobo asked, walking up. He had emerged from the keep, no doubt searching for plunder of a magical variety missed by Ikazuki's forces.
"One does not break the enemy's spirit without facing their best, General."
"I suppose so, Warlord. Ozeki has subdued another temple, and will rejoin his secondary force to rendezvous for the final battle. Unless, of course, you allowed my forces to converge as a proper force. Then I can deliver that city for the Queen in mere hours. And stop this evacuation the refugees are streaming towards."
"Your new role is to intercept and capture the refugees en route. The city, and port, will be the last stand for Kyushu. There we will find hard resistance. This chi warrior that has evaded us, he will be there."
Unless he ran, which would be disappointing. The warrior had actually stopped their raiding parties solidly when contacting them. Some units had even vanished, presumed dead.
One man could not stop Kyushu falling, or even slow it, but a city, defending a port… There, a lone man's stand could man something.
"Your forces will not be taking part in the battle. Kuro is tasked with blockading, and I have every confidence in him. Your eyes in the sky are better spent ensuring not a single human remains free in Kyushu. I fully intend to provide a multitude of able bodies to begin integrating all of Kyushu into the Empire of Shadows' greatest territory."
As if he would put Jirobo where the arrogant upstart could possibly steal a worthy foe from him. Not since the Demon Queller Clan's fall had he faced an opponent that could remind him to fear death. Hopefully, that would soon be remedied, and a worthy tale of prowess for General Ikazuki as well.
"At least you did not kill those samurai who surrendered," Jirobo mentioned.
"Of course not. Death was too good for those who would betray their lord in battle for their own advancement. Mere soldiers and ninjas may resort to such, but such scum are a disgrace to all samurai, and such disgrace must be punished appropriately," Ikazuki let a half smile form on his face, gesturing to the wing of the castle where his interrogation specialists were performing the task.
"What have you done, then?" Jirobo asked.
"They are to be gelded and their tongues ripped out, their backs branded with words of their treachery for all to see. And thus be sent to toil in the quarries until they die a death worthy of peasants."
"…Do you not see the flaw in this course?" Jirobo demanded.
"Well, of course I realize most humans cannot read, but it's more symbolic in intention."
"You do realize it is important to acquire human collaborators? They have always been an important part to annexing new areas."
"You, as usual, fail to grasp the importance of maintaining martial values.
"Now, you have your orders, carry them out General," Ikazuki commanded.
X X X
Hiruzen looked up at the Queen's Plateau, the samurai patrolling the pathway walls paying him no mind. The wind plucked at his robes, but other than that he was motionless, eyes focused and mind turned inward.
By reports and his own witnessing, matters were going well since the Incident.
Even though vigorous investigation of the loyal tanuki had turned up no connections to Tobe, or the Knowledge Thief, it had assured him that that breed of creature was too terrified or awed of the Empire to be treacherous. Bachi appeared to have indeed been a rogue.
Reports from the war continued to impress. While the human level of resistance was what he had expected, Ikazuki had surprised him with how well he was handling matters. His spies made it clear that a hunger for personal glory was hindering the Samurai General, but still, perhaps he did possess the potential to succeed to the mantle?
That was a change, Hiruzen admitted, as the shadow of a cloud passed over him. He seemed ever more preoccupied with the succession. Perhaps he had given a part of himself better withheld to the Queen, had drawn too close, and now he was damaged in his quality as a Yojimbo?
Her mistakes had been his failures.
Hishu… he was doing as well as could be expected. Which was not good enough. It was not right, for such a joyous thing as the birth of a new tribe to be marred by infamy undeserved. But the only alternative was to blame the Queen, and that was unthinkable.
He could condemn her, the Circle even, to some degree. But the Queen was the pinnacle and foundation of the Race. To admit in any historic manner her fault was to strike at the heart of the Shadowkhan.
She, too, seemed to have recovered well. She had taken to meditation, a fine sign. And her music.
Her study of magic had resumed under the tutelage of the Kamikiri. Progress was slow, of course — the Kamikiri approached it as ceremony, and their flattering way of correcting Queenly mistakes made it a slow ordeal.
Which Hiruzen approved of. Sorcery was her birthright, but making her work for it might make her humbler in her privilege.
X X X
Jade stared at the jug across the hobby room from her, the space cleared so as to be devoid of obstruction. And the room was better lit than even usual, with the Kamikiri chanting as they minded the lanterns brought in for just such an occasion.
"A magnificent and prodigal effort of divine majesty. Let us see if, with this next grand effort, you can draw closer to perfection?" Sanshobo said.
'Good job but still a failure, try again. Would that be so hard to say?' Jade thought, working her teeth a bit behind closed lips.
Holding out her left hand, she called out to the shadow nearby, and with effort — but much eased by practice — the substance gathered and formed in her palm. She then made it move down her sleeve and kimono to rest in her own shadow.
Gathering it first to other areas than to her hands as a focus was apparently more difficult, unless it was spells applying to her body like the disguise or armor. But still, now the substance rested, waiting by her feet.
She reached out her other hand, and the shadow of her arm lengthened, reaching out and thinning as it stretched. So she willed the substance into her shadow, slowing the thinning even as it stretched, making it a darker and deeper presence on the floor.
It reached the jug and stopped. Taking a deep breath, Jade extended two fingers and rotated her hand slightly counterclockwise. Her shadow curved, reaching around the jug to touch its shadow.
Clenching her fingers into a fist, she pierced the jug's shadow, and felt its weight settle on her. Slight but present.
"Shatter!" she commanded, her chi surging through the connection with her command.
The vase cracked, a single large one from rim to base. But even as the recoil knocked her shadow out and sent it back to her, the jug did not fall apart.
"Most refined progress. Magics that reach beyond one's self to interact with the shadow of another are among the most powerful, but they are also the most difficult.
"Even objects' shadows possess a will bestowed by either the shaping of thinking beings or shaped by nature. In time, one of your great power could even supplant the will of mortals through their shadow, great and someday terrifying Queen," the basket head said.
Jade pulled out a handkerchief from her sleeve to dab her brow. It certainly took more energy than disguising herself. But if she had to fight with magic…
"Why was I not taught this earlier? If, as you have said, it is easier to attack and such using my own shadow?" Jade demanded in her irritated-yet-aloof voice.
"Because, o glorious asker of questions, it carries risk to use one's own shadow rather than purely the substance. Should an invasive spell fail or be overcome, your most divine and majestic shadow could be used to either seize your physical form that is without flaw, or more crudely and blasphemously send chi into your body's depths to burst and assault organs, modest royal, bypassing near all defenses magical and physical," Sanshobo explained.
That… that was a good reason not to, she had to admit. And the flowery wording, which she wondered might actually be sarcastic, made it worse.
Hmm, she actually hoped he was snarking a bit. So he probably wasn't. Darn.
"If it is so risky, then why teach it? After my shameful actions no less," Jade asked. Admittedly, it was more an excuse to hammer home to a General that she was regretful, so she could get ungrounded soon, than curiosity. Though there was some curiosity, too.
"Because, while perilous in the extreme, it can also succeed with less effort, such as one bound and dazed beyond normal rage of crafting magic. It can serve well as the handleless blade that one draws when every reasonable or remotely safe course is adopted. It is for when one simply must act, or die.
"It is my hope that you will never use such a technique," the priest said. He paused, then added, "It is not this one's place to command one so worthy, but it may be most beneficial to end today's lesson now. Lunch shall be served shortly, and a brief nap may be wise before exerting yourself in studies or the arts."
She dismissed him and was escorted back to her room, the confinement still in force. The door closed with a finality behind her, and she proceeded to wash her face in the provided ornate basin.
She wanted to dwell on how she hated this weakness, both being so easily exhausted and dependent on bad guys as teachers. But that would only make her feel guilty for complaining. Knowing that, on Kyushu, a war she had been party to, even if unwillingly, was unfolding.
Settling on the bed after stripping down partially, she prepared to drift into her post lesson nap when it hit her — first, basket head had de-hammed himself at the end. And second, he had done her an actual solid!
Everyone else, from vocal Hiruzen to the silent mooks, were upset and offended, wanting her to feel guilty for being so stupid. Period. But even if he felt that way, he had just done something more.
He was teaching her something that could only be considered practical in the situation she had gotten herself into. He was admitting it may happen again, and rather than coming down harder on the fact they must protect her, was showing her a way to protect herself so if she was ever in that situation again…
Hiruzen would be, well, pissed if he knew Jade suspected. Heck, it might even be treason, for all she knew.
So, basket head was apparently loyal enough that he would ensure his Queen's safety even at the risk of enabling the bad behavior they were all freaked out by. Dang this was messed up, when the fanatic, of all people, was the one that was actually getting some sincere admiration on a couple of points, Jade admitted.
She drifted off to dream of shadows dancing in strange celebration and roaring fires on the horizon of the sea.
X X X
Row upon row of black armored samurai marched across the fields, flanked by cavalry and the engines of war armed and manned by their comrades. Ahead of them, the walls and gates of the last stronghold of Human Kyushu rose, already cracked from their opening assaults, smoke rising from the fires that had been set by those previous volleys.
As they advanced, counter-attacks were launched from behind and atop the walls, rocks and arrows answering those sent by the Shadowkhan. But these were too few and far between; the humans' numbers and resources had been too thoroughly struck down for them to mount a proper defense. As such, there was little to impede the black horde as they advanced ever closer, to the steady rhythmic beat of the march.
And as the Shadowkhan closed the distance to the gates, a pair of Sumo Khan advanced from the horde at a faster pace, each armed with a club the size of a tree trunk in one hand and protecting themselves with shields as wide as carriages. As the shields deflected the meager resistance thrown at them from above, the pair of Sumo approached the gates, and with a concentrated effort began pounding. Within minutes, the gates began to crack, and soon collapsed altogether.
At this sight, the steady beat of the march gave way to a cacophony of pounding feet and war cries, as the horde of shadow warriors surged forward and through the gates into the city.
Ikazuki rode through the gates first; as soon as battle was joined he had taken to the front.
The city was well warded. Had he tried to cut through that gate, he would have only cut it like common steel. But such wards sizzled now amidst the ruin of the gate. Helpless before the raw strength of the mighty sumos.
Samurai and ashigeru spearmen rushed to meet him. He deflected and cut away the spear blades in one motion to each attack, the peasants fleeing as soon as they realized they were disarmed. The samurai had sterner stuff. Most of them had properly honored the blades of their soul, and so could meet his steel like steel.
But alas, his own cavalry surged through, sweeping the battle away, flowing around their mounted General like a river about a stone. Into the city and surging up the walls they came, orderly and eager for blood and glory.
Unsated but dutiful, the warlord reared his horse up and raised his sword, letting out a deep, bellowing war cry in salute to his forces.
Shortly:
Human cities could be so chaotic, no wonder they suffered from fires and plagues. Never mind the Sumo tribe, no tribe — not even the Gani — would allow such laxity in the maintenance, much less layout, of a base of operations. Such chaos currently being the reason, despite following logical paths of approach using backroads, he and his four escorts ahorse had not reached the castle.
He contemplated simply using some brute force magic to force a path open, when a Komomori landed before him. Folding his wings, the scout bowed deeply. Battle was no excuse to forget proper manners, after all.
"Report," Ikazuki demanded simply. Jirobo had better not have realized Ikazuki's momentary difficulty and sent advise on directions…
"The enemy is counterattacking. He has repulsed the main force bounds for the harbor, my Warlord," the scout reported.
"He? Is it him then, this hero they speak of?" Ikazuki demanded.
The sounds of destruction turned all their heads before the scout could answer. A blast of force knocked through a building before them and crumpled the face of the one across the street from it. A near miss crossing the path before them. And much of the attack's power already expended.
Ignoring the scout, he kicked his stead into motion, its blood and training quite sufficient to charge down the trail of destruction that had been opened for them.
"HIYAAAA!" Ikazuki cried out, drawing his sword once again. His retainers took up the cry as they rode on his flanks.
A figure loomed in the dust as they crested another pile of rubble. He could smell the deaths of Shadowkhan and human alike thick in the air, the tingle of chi magic playing over his exposed face.
Glorious, he thought, as he leapt from his mount. The beast had no time to cry out as the green blast engulfed it and the other four horses. Ikazuki landed on the packed dirt on the street, and heard two of his retainers touch down on the ground to his left. The others must have not been quick enough.
Rising to stand, he watched as the wind cast aside dust and smoke, revealing the foe. He stood taller than the sumo whose skull he seemed to be smashing with one hand. The other hand having seized and arrested the great club.
'One of the gate breakers,' Ikazuki noted, slowly advancing. A respected war officer of the Sumo.
Ikazuki smiled as the skull gave way, and a blast of green chi destroyed the Khan's head beyond recognition.
"At last, a foe worth fighting."
The human was tall and powerfully built, his muscles bulging clearly from his arms and bare torso. He wore dark pants, stained and torn by the battle so far, but his skin seemed untouched. His hair was short and dark, the face angular but otherwise unremarkable.
Save for the eyes. Rarely had Ikazuki ever seen a human with eyes so utterly devoid of passion in battle.
"You are Ikazuki," the human warrior said, facing him and stepping on and over the dead sumo.
"General Ikazuki, Warlord of the Shadowkhan. And who are you, mighty and rude warrior?" Ikazuki corrected. He waved off his retainers, who slipped away, understanding.
"You could have helped him just now. But you stood by as I killed him," the warrior said.
"It was his warrior's death. I saw no reason to deny him that at the hands of a worthy foe. Even for ones such as us, life must end. Better for it to end well, as his did."
"End well? I despise humans who glorify dying in agony amidst madness and ruin. I have even less reason to forgive it in a youkai," his scowl deepened.
"Fortunately, I do not seek your forgiveness, only your might," Ikazuki said. Holding his sword high, Ikazuki charged.
The warrior slid into a stance and pulled back a fist. Green light burst in sparks across his upper body, and he expanded.
The punch lashed out. And no chi rushed forth to meet him.
Air did, with chi and force behind it.
Ikazuki flew backward, impacting a wooden wall hard enough to stop himself. Shoving himself off, he rolled under the right hook aimed for his chest that shattered the wall.
"My name is Toguro, no titles necessary," the human said, turning to face Ikazuki as he got to his feet. Ikazuki closed the distance, slashing through the air. Despite his bulk and size, the human dodged it, nimbly turning, and even retreating backward smoothly, never taking his eyes off Ikazuki.
Still so empty, though.
"That technique. I have seen it before, long ago in my youth," Ikazuki said. His movement must have been read, because with another green spark burst, Toguro was lunging inside his guard.
Ikazuki's helm shattered under the headbutt, and still he was stunned enough not to dodge the elbow striking down on his shoulder. The bones held, even if the armor cracked, but his sword slipped from his grasp.
Ikazuki's left hand hand shot out, striking at a kidney. More resistance than human hide should have, but it still staggered his foe. Ikazuki retrieved his sword, keeping his eyes on the human who was breathing heavily through his nostrils, glaring and frowning with dead eyes.
"A chi technique where you harness your body to respond to your will beyond its natural limitations. But that blast… It's not a proper chi blast. You are using chi and raw strength to displace air. It's not magic itself, and would be able to bypass defenses against magic.
"Small wonder you killed so many of our officers; it's brilliant to mask a physical attack as magic when dealing with the supernatural," Ikazuki grinned.
The human did not respond.
"But that technique is rarely used, and often forbidden, isn't it? Because it, without fail, shortens your lifespan, ruining that human body. And no one I have heard of, much less seen, has used it as long or as well as you seem to have.
"Can't you tell me something more about yourself? I want to know more when I speak of this battle," Ikazuki inquired, drawing his wakizashi.
"…"
"Why don't you attack?"
"I am the rearguard delaying you. Drawing this out is my victory."
"…Not fought in many true large battles, have you? Do you see my forces stopping en masse to watch? While I am significant, delaying me does not stop my forces.
"Two more Generals lurk in the sky and waves, waiting to stop any evacuation from that harbor these humans are fleeing to. If you truly want to aid them in escaping, you will need to get there," Ikazuki told him.
Toguro glared, a spark finally visible in his eyes. And began to glow green, his body swelling again. No more!
"An end, then," the chi-emitting hulk of a man said.
"Oh yes!" Ikazuki agreed ,holding his sword at the ready.
Both taking their stances, a moment passed as the two warriors stared into each other's gazes, one eager, one calm.
Somewhere, a stone fell to the ground, and they sprang forward together, black chi trailing from Ikazuki's short sword, and a tail of green following Toguro, each step breaking apart the ground behind him.
The two met, a thunderclap sounded, and purple flashed from them.
Ikazuki was thrown back, his breastplate exploding outward as he bent around the force, a spurt of blood coming from his wide mouth.
He hit the ground rolling, and only stopped himself with the blade, digging into the packed earth. Groaning, his pulled himself up onto one knee, and pulled the blade from the ground. Broken, most of it gone.
He coughed up more blood, and watched as the dust cleared, revealing Toguro standing tall on the broken, churned-up ground where they had clashed.
Majestic, perhaps even poetic, he thought, regarding the massive human clothed in green standing powerful and serene. But getting to his feet, Ikazuki sheathed the broken blade, and watched Toguro's posture slacken.
The rest of his short sword was deep in Toguro's neck, lodged into the spine, he expected.
"Thank you for telling me your name. I will remember you, Hero of Kyushu," Ikazuki said. The warrior fell forward, the chi leaving him like smoke from a doused fire. He shrank back to presumably his normal size, still very impressive.
But dead.
Ikazuki frowned, thinking of the battle at large. Toguro had done well, annihilating this force and delaying him. Would it truly all be for nothing after such magnificent skills were honed and a battle was fought so well?
He was Warlord; there existed certain obligations, he decided. Even to foes, if they were worthy.
X X X
Arriving at the docks, Ikazuki felt eyes on him as the archers held their arrows. Dismounting, he pulled Toguro's corpse from the horse and searched out a suitable vessel from the fleeing human fleet.
Settling on one through instinct, he hefted the corpse and, with a battle cry, tossed it over the waters. He scowled at the undignified way the body behaved in flight, but the body landed on the deck as planned.
"That vessel, allow it safe passage. He fought well to protect those fleeing. Let it not be said a worthy warrior died achieving nothing," Ikazuki ordered. Turning his back on the escaping humans, he walked toward his horse.
Breaking his stride as he reached the waiting mount, he glanced up as Jirobo swept down, his passage clattering on the stones of the quay.
"Report?" Ikazuki asked.
"You are letting a shipload of humans escape," Jirobo said.
"I already know that," Ikazuki answered.
"Those are the Queen's slaves," Jirobo pressed.
"No, they become slaves when captured. They are not captured yet, so they are still enemies I can dispense with as Warlord."
"…You didn't even take that foolish mortal's head as an example, did you?"
"Of course not. It was one of the best fights I had in years. And he fought with no fear of death, only concern for duty. He did not deserve to have his body desecrated anymore than failing at his goal to cover their escape," Ikazuki said.
"You are supposed to be a Warlord. Your bushido lessens our victory."
"Her Divine Majesty knows what I am. Perhaps she wished for an honorable conqueror to lay the foundations of her empire, rather than a vain fool who thinks he knows war better than all those who came before."
"…"
"…"
Jirobo broke the standoff, bowing an appropriate depth to the Warlord.
"I spoke too boldly from the heat of battle, Ikazuki-dono. I ask your pardon," the General said. To strangers, he may have sounded sincere, but it was all the submission Ikazuki required to grin, before schooling his own features.
"Of course you are pardoned. This is a glorious day. Let it not be written that glory was diminished by petty squabbles best left to yearlings in the training grounds.
"Go forth now, and lead your troops against all but the chosen vessel. And remember, the Queen demands slaves for her new palace's construction, not useless corpses," Ikazuki commanded.
He watched Jirobo go, and stood for some time as the archers loosed their arrows, the bats dove, carrying off one strong young human after another in their claws, and Kuro's ships even joining in the reaping. Only the vessel guarded by Toguro's corpse passed unscathed though the mess.
But it was a reaping, not a battle. Ikazuki had little interest personally, and as Warlord he had no need to oversee this rout.
So, thrill already fading, he returned to his horse, pondering long hours with the sumo attache reviewing spoils and logistics as the screams of humans filled the air.
X X X
"There is a difference between loyalty and obedience," Hishu repeated his mantra. He sat in darkness, the meditation chamber sealed against all light. But he could hear the garden and daylight beyond. And he was now certain that was intentional.
He had never been sent here during the night. He was certain now this state of senses in conflict was intentional.
But it was not a malicious discord. Perhaps not even a true discord? As one sense was deceived, others held true. Breathing deep, he could smell the water he could hear, the scent of mountain pine. Even hear, to his surprise, the passing of a Kamikiri monk. Not the silent steps, but the slight clack of beads being worked.
No sooner did he note an absence of the familiar despair than it rushed back in.
Failure, utter and complete. Total disgrace. Yet, was it less? Or simply that he was becoming more?
Unlike the Fortress, there was no malice toward him from his sensei. He would trust that he was on the path to redemption, the only alternative was destruction.
X X X
Jade sat in the throne, looking at the assembled Generals. Her eyes lingered on the new spot prepared at the table. General Hishu had never sat there in his official rank, but she had ordered his spot prepared to acknowledge the status of him and the new tribe. There had even been talk on him taking part in the next Ceremony to truly inaugurate the yet unnamed tribe.
But today, the focus was on Hiruzen, who had called the unscheduled meeting. He stood and held reverently toward her a message scroll that she recognized as one issued to the Warlord for official communications.
"Fellow members of the Circle of Generals, Joo Heike. It is my honor to deliver glorious news. Warlord Ikazuki has sent word that he has slain the so-called Hero of Kyushu, and as of his writing, the last stronghold of humans in Kyushu has fallen.
"With our fleet controlling the waters and bays as well, he has declared the conquest of Kyushu complete, and offers his resignation as Warlord and recommends command of Kyushu be shifted to General Ozeki.
"Victory has been swift and total. Slaves in unprecedented abundance have been seized, and much of the wealth and infrastructure will be reparable and improved to our needs."
He stopped, and Jade closed her eyes, taking it in for a moment. A hero dead. They didn't even say his name now. They didn't even say he wasn't a hero, and treated his death as glorious or an afterthought.
And the bounty of slaves. As ordered by her.
Better slave than dead, they will be freed in time. This hero's death may be what starts the ball rolling.
And they were waiting for her response. She had been coached on that eventuality.
"Our victory is complete. Warlord Ikazuki will relieve control of the forces beyond his tribe, but he will retain the title of Warlord until his return here to be divested and granted honors for his deed in proper ceremony.
"And additionally, following the ceremony I declare a great feast and festival for my children. A feast that will gather al the Generals as we host our allies and honorable neighbors to proclaim our glory," she said.
She had deviated, and Hiruzen noticed it immediately.
"A grand vision, fitting with tradition. But at the very least, General Ozeki should remain to oversee the new conquests."
"As has been reported, our victory is complete. We have full confidence that the Generals' subordinates can maintain order over trampled foes long enough for this. It is my will that every General and their tribes be honored at this banquet, for the culmination of our efforts that is this conquest. And to display to all emissaries our power, majesty, and confidence by gathering the whole of the Circle," she proclaimed.
Hiruzen, she could feel, did not quite approve, but the other Generals voiced their approval. And she was still Queen. And when she acted the role, her word was law.
Very good to confirm she could still be defiant if she was smart about how.
And if, while the cats were away, some "rats" could escape or pull some heroics on Kyushu, so much the better.
Still, it had been faster than anyone expected. Had she underestimated the samurai?
X X X
The Generals sat in conference around the black table. Tsume, for once, looked over his peers with interest, despite his recent return. But then, the great glutton was quite motivated by the prospect of feasting.
"I dislike recalling Ozeki," Hiruzen said to the other three Generals.
"Queen's orders," Tsume shrugged.
"Her wisdom in honoring all the tribes thus is well founded. I fear recent troubles make you question with too much ease," Sanshobo remarked.
"I agree, Hiruzen-dono. The Battle for Kyushu is won. Besides, knowing Ozeki, he has been establishing an occupation piece by piece these last weeks, behind the advance. When he leaves, much of the needed early work will already be nearing completion. Besides, she only demanded the Generals. We can always leave more elites and officers than we would normally have deployed to bolster Kyushu until he is able to return," Kamisori said.
Hiruzen felt ill at ease. But they might be right. He remained wary of the Queen's judgement, but in this case it may be unjustified. Her great folly did not erase her recent achievements as acts that had indeed happened, even if the esteem she had won in his eyes had been wiped away.
Her choice of Ikazuki as Warlord was certainly vindicated. The conquest had been completed not only swifter and with noticeably fewer casualties than expected, but it appeared they had achieved the Queen's desire for unprecedented numbers of slaves to toil at bringing the new territories into the Empire's structure.
Wary, certainly. But it was a controlled situation, and he could not keep her in confinement forever, or perhaps even long, once more Generals returned who might object to his actions.
"Very well, then. The next order of business will be the guests invited. It is time we extended invitation to the choice factions of human collaborators. They have been patient, and further delays will either indicate we fear their presence in the Fortress, or we do not regard them as worthy vassals."
"They are not worthy vassals. Their stinking mortal kind should only enter the sacred presence of the Queen to beg for mercy and die," Sanshobo objected.
"Or as dishes," Tsume added.
"What constitutes collaborators of note?" Kamisori asked.
Hiruzen sighed as the others began arguing and debating the various merits of different kinds of collaborators. Tsume predictably included their potential as food as a criteria, while Sanshobo qualified all his points with a reminder that he still felt no humans should attend regardless.
This would take some time.
X X X
Shendu watched the dancer perform. Ribbon dancing; it reminded him of fire, and that was why she had lasted so long.
She sweated before his eyes. It pleased him to push those who performed for him beyond their limits. If they endured to his pleasure that was well, and if not, there were other pleasures.
The court was silent. All of the courtiers privileged to join him for this performance lingered in the shadows cast by the flames that illuminated and created ever sweltering heat for his throne room. Only he, the Emperor Shendu the Eternal and Terrible, sat comfortably and bathed in the light.
All was as it should be. Yet a sense of unease lingered. He dispelled it — he had won, it was only a matter of time until all this world fell before him, and an immortal could be patient and savor the struggle that would testify to his glory.
And yet, since that day, a phantom of old doubts long banished had arisen at times to haunt him. Luck was real, as were coincidences, but he had not survived the downfall of his clan and outlived the Eight Immortals by failing to read the patterns of the world.
He rose from his throne and the dancer ceased, kowtowing before him. She should be panting, taking deep breathes to recover her breath. But she did not, as it displeased him; he tried to drink in the agony of denying her body's needs, while clinging desperately to consciousness.
"A magnificent performance, girl. I do believe you have reached the apex of your skill in this art," he said, looming over her.
"You honor this lowly mortal beyond what she could ever deserve, most malevolent ruler and destroyer of all under the Heavens," she managed to say, with only some hitch to her words.
"This is true. Just as its true that, having given the best performance you possibly could, you have nothing more to offer that I desire," Shendu stated. He opened his jaws, letting the fire slowly build.
Again, patience was rewarded, as whatever courage she had failed her, and with a pathetic scream, the dancer ran away across the stone floor. He let the fire wash over her, not so hot as to kill quickly.
A younger him may have delighted in incinerating a village, but death and suffering were like good food or drink — one learned to draw out and savor.
The court applauded as the corpse removers doused the corpse and carried it off, the cleaners scrubbing and sweeping to restore the immaculateness of his throne room.
Yes, that made him feel better. But still, it was time to start making inquiries.
"All but the Grand Eunuch, depart my presence," he announced.
They fled with dignity as he sat his throne once more, but it was fleeing all the same. His power was the only power that mattered. The Sacred Warriors and this Chosen One would come to realize that one day.
But today, he called forth this unusual servant for an unusual task.
"It is time to look in on the Shadowkhan over in Nihon. As is their custom, they will make much ado about their recent petty conquest in those backwater isles. Select an appropriate present to take as an invited guest. Observe the Shadowkhan court and the 98th Queen to the best of your ability," Shendu commanded.
The minion was too much a veteran of the court to ask questions. And he departed with the dignity of a survivor.
Shendu had been deliberately vague about what he wanted to know. The Eunuch knew the price of failure. So not knowing for certain what his master desired, he would seek to gather all possible information on those blue savages.
Still, what was it about them and mention of their Queen that made him feel this ghost of dread? Or perhaps a shadow of dread? He could destroy them, certainly, but it would require such commitment as to certainly setback his empire on the frontier.
He would not ignore these feelings, but nor would he let himself be guided by them.
And he needed the Grand Steward to select a new entertainer to fill the vacancy.
Author's Note:
This was a pleasant surprise. In the midst of working on the next Queen of All Oni chapter, a piece fell into place on this story. Nothing that appears in this chapter, this is much farther down the line. But still hat detail of Jade's journey falling into place really inspired me and this chapter went from maybe a quarter done to done with surprising speed.
The shout to Young Toguro has long been in the making. Easily my favorite fighter from that series, and like the original he exits without explaining himself.
Well, while its shorter than I would like as Zim pointed out its better than nothing. Now back to work on the other queen I guess.
Blessings of the season upon you all!