The Day of Thunder

Nao was still at the shrine. With Sora's help, and some aid from the kami, much of it had been cleansed. It wasn't what it should be yet, but that was beyond her means or authority. Next, she would need to speak with her uncle. Then, she would wait for her family. And, there were others to see and s...

I'm going to miss all of the cousins.

Kumori is definitely the cool one.

And the non-form question: What's next? Up to Birb, but preliminary plan is make catgirls and catboys playable because this is a Rokugan of Culture. And more seriously, to found an order of monks who are basically spirit cops who try to help spirits live alongside humans without either side being h...

I do absolutely love this setting. You never disappoint.

Who was dreaming of Meido?

What are the true origins and nature of the village? Is it as old as the graveyard suggested, or was that part of the dream?

She nodded and began separating and wrapping the scrolls. "Satsuki led much of the work on these. She could provide further insight on how they should be handled and hidden. They are heavily warded and protected. But, we cannot be too cautious."

She shook her head. "It's probably best that I not know, really. But, they should be scattered to the four winds."

"The Four Scrolls." She sighed in relief. "Used to seal the Dream of Jigoku. They need to be separated, secured, and hidden away."

"We had to leave quickly in the aftermath of the battle." She explained as she cleared away debris. "I was worried they might not be here."

She didn't respond to Sora at first, quietly moving towards the metal.

"Jiyo-sama." Nao finally spoke up. "Over here."

"And yet, here you are." She grinned. "The fight is over, but there's still much to be done. I have no doubt that the village will be secured and other priests will come to investigate and tend to any lingering corruption. My sisters will be among them, I'm certain. But, someone needed to start the ...

"Jiyo-sama." She stopped and bowed.

"You can use this one, if you wish." Nao handed him the broom. "I can begin the purification rites."

She smiled, but her movements and the the visible bruises suggested that she hadn't fully healed yet.

Nao sees Yukara as sort of a kindred spirit. And, she thinks she's cool.

Other than the moment she heard Shinsei whisper to her, she didn't really feel like she belonged there. In hindsight, she can see the role she played. But, Nao will always feel like she could have done more.

"I will see to it, Makime-sama, until my sister and the other spirit guides arrive." she dipped her head. Then she accepted more tea. "It will be a busy morning."

She nodded in agreement. "That would be for the best. There's a lot that needs to be done here. But, it must be done carefully and safely. Beyond the concerns of the village, there's the battlefield. Spirits will linger here."

She sipped at the tea, savoring it. Then, she shook her head again. "The shrine needs to be cleansed. And, there's much of the village's history that should be uncovered. I will wait here for my sisters arrival." she answered. "That is, of course, if the Emperor will allow it." "I do appreciate the ...

She shook her head. "We did what was needed Makime-sama. As did everyone else. But, I do hope not to see battle again."

Both. Agasha will want exact details. But, legendary tales should be told in legendary ways.

She bowed to them. "I would like that. But, first."

She set a bundled daisho down before them, bowing with deep reverence. The blades and their saya had been carefully cleansed and purified.

"The Honor of the Empire will always rest with the Lion."

Outside the tent. A young Bat vwaited for a moment of the Lion's time.

Nao had returned to the shrine. There was little resemblance to its appearance the night before. It wasn't what it was. It wasn't what it might once have been. Those stories should not be forgotten. But, beneath her grandmother's light, a new story was begining. The shrine needed to be prepared. Nao...