Early afternoon, and in the city‑state of Yamakasai, situated on the side of an active shield volcano, life continues as normal for most citizens. However, in the centre of the city's southern district, one citizen is not having such luck: Hideyoshi Takenaka, Grand Master of Kasai‑dojo. As the bat meditates with his wings spread wide in his inner sanctum at the centre of his dojo, he detects the approach of one of his kohai thanks to his highly sensitive hearing.
"Enter," Hideyoshi instructs before the kohai knocks, folding his wings.
"My apologies sensei, but an urgent message has arrived for you," the kohai informs as he enters.
"Who from?"
"Senator Jiro Kita, sensei."
I feared this day would come. "Very well kohai. Please leave the message with me and return to your duties."
The kohai hands Hideyoshi the envelope, bows in respect, then leaves the sanctum. Once the kohai's steps have faded into the distance, Hideyoshi opens the envelope and reads the letter inside. As he reads, his expression darkens, yet it never shows any anger. Ending with a sigh of defeat, Hideyoshi returns the letter to the envelope. Our presence on Tenshijima has been discovered, and the expedition found enough evidence to implicate both me and Chika. It seems I must yet again face up to my poor judgement.
At the base of the mountain on which Yamakasai stands is the edge of the Subarashimori. By far the largest forest in the Gotoshi, it spans over one hundred miles from the volcano to the coast. Roughly centred in the southern reaches of the forest lies the city‑state of Kinzokumori. The city is much like any other city on Avalice, but the western enclave is unique in that it is ruled not by a politician, but by the Grand Master of Kinzoku‑dojo, Tsubaki Moto. Separated from the surrounding city by a ten‑foot steel wall, Kinzoku‑dojo cuts an imposing silhouette in the skyline.
In the heart of the dojo, the Grand Master is practicing sword technique in her inner sanctum. The only sound aside from the swish of custom‑made twin asymmetric‑length shinai is the controlled breathing of the ferocious tanuki. But when there's a knock at the door, her concentration is broken.
"Be gone, kohai!" she barks, every syllable dripping with anger.
"M‑My apologies, s‑sensei," the kohai answers nervously, "b‑but there's an urgent m‑message from Senator N‑Nishimura."
Foolish politician, trying to interfere with our affairs again. One day I'll slit his throat. Tsubaki storms to the door, opens it, snatches the envelope from the kohai's hands, then slams the door shut before the kohai can react. The tanuki then tears the envelope open, takes out the letter, and reads it. As she reads, her anger grows. Once finished, Tsubaki shreds both letter and envelope, littering her floor with confetti.
"Kitsune damn you Takenaka and Ueno! And kitsune damn the Elemental Protectors!"
Between the edge of the Subarashimori and the ocean is the coastal city‑state of Mokuzaihanto. In contrast to the igneous masonry of Yamakasai and the steel and glass of Kinzokumori, Mokuzaihanto's use of wood in its architecture gives it a warm, rustic feel. Yet despite the pleasant atmosphere, there is a section in the east that generates a certain unease among the population. Mokuzai‑dojo isn't imposing like Kinzoku‑dojo: in fact, it blends in well with its surroundings. However, there's something about it that doesn't quite fit with the rest of the city.
In the heart of the dojo, Grand Master Ryoichi Nakano is relaxing in his inner sanctum, idly flicking through a magazine, when there is a knock at the door. With a weary sigh, Ryoichi closes the magazine and drops it on the floor. "What do you want?"
"An urgent message from Senator Nakahara, sensei," the kohai outside answers.
"Slide it under the door and return to your duties," Ryoichi commands, picking up the magazine again.
"Of course, sensei." The kohai slides the envelope under the door and departs.
A few minutes later, Ryoichi finishes reading the magazine. Well, better see what all the fuss is about, I guess. Retrieving the envelope from by the door, he opens it and reads the letter inside. Hmm… This is unexpected. Oh well, I'll worry about it on the day.
Tsuchidokutsu is unusual in that the entire city is underground. Lying as it does deep into the Hokorioka south of the Midorioka grasslands, living underground is the only way to escape the oppressive heat and frigid cold of the desert. At the very heart of the city lies Tsuchi‑dojo, a surprisingly nondescript construction that, despite its low‑key appearance, instils a deep‑seated fear that just cannot be shaken. However, this is not because of the actions of the members of the dojo, but only those of its Grand Master, Kaede Himura. Rumours abound that those who enter her inner sanctum leave either insane, or they don't leave at all. While this rumour isn't strictly true, there is some truth to it, but not necessarily for the reasons people think.
In her inner sanctum, the Grand Master is preparing for one of her 'sessions', as she calls them. "Facial scars aside, I look so good in this," Kaede muses to herself, admiring her latex‑clad figure in a full‑length dress mirror. "And yet, there's something missing…"
Her thought remains incomplete as there's a knock at the door. "I instructed I was not to be disturbed for the next two hours!" she barks.
"Apologies, Himura‑sensei, but there's an urgent message from Senator Maki," the kohai at the door replies.
"…I guess she can wait another minute," Kaede thinks aloud. "Not like she's going anywhere anytime soon." Kaede then heads to the door and opens it. "You can look at me, y'know," she informs the kohai as she takes the envelope and opens it, noticing he has averted his eyes. "In fact, you can join us if you want," she adds with a seductive smile.
"Th‑Thanks, sensei, but I really should be getting back to my duties," the kohai replies before hastily departing.
"His loss," Kaede shrugs to herself as she begins reading the letter. "I would have taken him… Oh, this isn't good," she continues as she reads. "Well, that was a total mood‑killer," she concludes when she gets to the end of the letter. "Guess I'll have to save her for another time…"
In the river valley between the Subarashimori and the Midorioka lies the city‑state of Mizutani. Easily the most picturesque of the five city‑states, it is also the most forward‑thinking, making extensive use of 'clean energy' technologies like hydroelectric power generation. In the north of the city lies Mizu‑dojo. While the dojo is surrounded by a moat, there are several bridges across it, and the citizens are free to move around as they wish. Thus, as with Kasai‑dojo, Mizu‑dojo is just another building, albeit a large and elegantly opulent one.
In the heart of Mizu‑dojo, Grand Master Chika Ueno is, unlike the other Grand Masters, not alone in her inner sanctum: veteran Red Scarf and Elemental Protector Xander Lykos is visiting her. Since the events of six months, or four tsuki, prior, Xander and Chika have grown very fond of each other, and are successfully maintaining a long‑distance relationship. They are aided by each being an emissary for their guilds, and the main conduit for negotiations between the Jade Alliance and the Red Scarves to ensure the two organisations can co‑exist in peace. However, at this point, such duties couldn't be further from their minds.
"That was wonderful," Chika purrs, settling down in Xander's arms and toying with his chest fur.
"I aim to please," Xander smiles, holding Chika gently and stroking her ultramarine hair.
"You did more than please," Chika compliments. "If I'm not mistaken, you've picked up a couple of new tricks."
"I didn't do all the work," Xander returns in kind. "You brought some fresh moves yourself."
"Nothing wrong with mixing things up occasionally," Chika smirks.
"Absolutely," Xander agrees.
The couple falls into a contended silence, happy just to lightly doze for a-
Someone knocks loudly and urgently on the inner sanctum's main door.
"Well, there goes the mood," Chika sighs. "Guess I'd better go answer it," she adds, sliding out of bed and putting on her steel blue bathrobe.
"Want a drink?" Xander asks as he climbs out of bed and dons his indigo bathrobe.
"The usual, please," Chika requests.
As Xander heads to the kitchen and prepares two glasses of aloe vera juice, Chika answers the door. "Good afternoon, kohai," she greets warmly. "I take it you have an important message for me?"
"From Senator Saito herself, sensei," the kohai confirms, offering the envelope.
"I hope it's nothing too serious," Chika smiles as she takes the envelope. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have company, and‑"
"My apologies sensei," the kohai bows. "I'll return to my duties immediately."
With the kohai gone, Chika closes the door and opens the envelope, extracts the letter, and begins reading.
"Something wrong?" Xander asks when he notices Chika's worried expression.
"Very," Chika informs. "The Senate has found out about our activities on Tenshijima, and they're not happy."
"How come?" Xander asks.
"Because the entire island has been off‑limits to all Gotoshi citizens since the signing of the Republic Treaty fifty years ago," Chika explains. "The punishment for anyone violating that treaty can get pretty severe. I may not be able to use my status to retain my freedom."
"But it wasn't your fault," Xander reminds. "It was all because of Aquila."
"The Senate won't see it that way," Chika sighs. "Besides, all five of us Grand Masters voluntarily served Aquila in return for those elemental powers."
"If it'll help, I'll testify on your behalf," Xander volunteers.
"That would be nice, but you'll have no choice but to incriminate yourself in the process, and I don't want to drag you down with me," Chika decides. "This is something I'll have to do myself."
"If you insist," Xander accepts. "The offer's there if you want it, as is the offer of a place to stay if you're unable to remain here."
"You sure Danny and Maria wouldn't mind me moving in?" Chika asks.
"Not at all," Xander assures.
"It's just… I guess I'm worrying too much about what‑ifs," Chika admits. "I could do with an ally though."
"What about Hideyoshi?" Xander suggests. "You and him working together, you'll have more chance of coming out of this relatively cleanly."
"That's a good idea," Chika agrees. "I'll call him later."