Chapter 21
Command Tent, Emperor’s Camp, Serpent’s gap, Chūgoku Mountains, north end.

Emperor Moronari Souma stood quietly studying the map laid out on the table. What he saw did not fill him with confidence for a solid win, come morning. He looked over at his senior Military Intelligence office. “General Kaga how sure are you of this deployment of my sister’s forces?”

“Sire, there are only so many ways you can defend in this thrice Gods be damned valley. The false Empress has placed her forces at the far southern end. While that end is narrower than the area we hold. It is also less defendable. It forces troops through in company size units. To be honest sire, both sides could not have picked a more inhospitable terrain for either side to hold.” The Intelligence Officer bitched then slammed his fist into his palm. “Our only advantage will be the armored airship fleet.”

“What of our flying wings? Shouldn’t they be able to attack that bitch’s forces?” Moronari asked in confusion.

“I wish that were the case sire. The shape of the valley walls cause unsteady wind currents and unpredictable up and down drafts throughout the valley’s length. The last time the flying wings of our air forces used this valley for training one out of three crashed before reaching the halfway point. Out of forty only three made it to the end. Of the thirty-seven pilots that crashed only nine are still on active duty. The rest are either dead or disabled to the point of being unable to serve.”

“Then how come the airships unaffected?” Moronari demanded.

“There are several reasons sire. The first of which is their sheer size and shape. Unlike the much smaller flying wings it takes truly massive winds to force an airship off its course. Something along the lines of a typhoon. Then there is the actual power that drives the airships through the air. Each armored airship has the equivalent of eight times the power of a flying wing. If not more depending on the class of airship. If it is one of the super dreadnought airships, then not even a typhoon’s winds can down them. The downside to all that size and power is they are still relatively slow. It takes a standard airship twice as long to travel the same distance as flying wing. More so for the armored airships.” The Air Marshal explained for his Emperor. As loyal as he was to Moronari he often wished that the man would leave the business of warfare to the professionals.

“Speaking of airships. Any word on what happened to Admiral Naka Hisamatsu and her Huntress class airships? That last transmission of hers made no sense at all. How the hell could a bunch of backwater peasants possibly put up enough of a resistance to endanger a full attack. Especially one with Huntress class airships in support. The last time I checked the Huntress class is one of our dreadnought class airships. Not to mention the armored wagons and Infantry supports.” Kaga asked of his counterpart the Air Marshal.

“It has been confirmed. Admiral Naka Hisamatsu and the two-hundredth and twenty-seventh Air Assault Airship fleet have been destroyed to the last man and woman. The tenth Armored Calvary Regiment and seventh Infantry Regiment also reside with their ancestors in the land of the dead.” The Air Marshal’s aid explained.

“I have more pressing question. Where is the twelfth Imperial Airship Fleet? They should have prevented the false Empress’s forces from gathering in this valley.” Moronari demanded of his gathered military staff.

“We are still trying to make sense of their last reports sire.” Kaga answered with frown of true frustration.

“What exactly does that mean, General?” Moronari demanded as he pounded his fist on the table. “And this time make your answer clear enough to understand.”

“That is the problem sire. The last reports from those three squadrons talk about being attacked by dragons. Then nothing.” Kaga answered then at the look of displeasure from his Emperor he sighed. “The exact wording of the reports are as follows, sire. Black Dragon sighted. Moving to engage. That is all there is, sire. Just two lines. Then nothing more. That was two days ago. I am still awaiting for a report from the local Shogun who was tasked to investigate.”

“No need to wait on the report, slug. That worthless fleet of airships are now nothing more than scrap.” The voice came from out of thin air. All ten men spun around looking for the owner of the voice. To their total astonishment they found nothing. “Oh, I’m sorry you can’t see me. Here let me fix that.”

Then to the amazement of Moronari and his Military staff a 12inch tall woman appeared in the center of the map table. She gave a small bow to them with a smirk. “Allow me to introduce myself. Chiyoko Hakuryū, Kyamo no Sa in service to the rightful Empress of this land. I am here on behalf of Her Majesty to offer terms for your surrender. Empress Ren wishes to avoid needless bloodshed.”

The response was both startling swift as it was useless. Thirty seconds and 75 rounds later all there was to show for their efforts to kill the 12inch tall woman was a bunch of holes in the table. The image of Chiyoko just floated above the table shaking her head with a sad but knowing grin.

“Did you really believe that I would be so foolish as to come here in person, false Emperor? Do you actually believe that your worthless personal weapons could kill me? A mage with enough power to destroy an enter fleet of your airships with nothing more than a verse or two? Is it so hard to believe that I couldn’t project my image across so short of a distance?” The miniature Chiyoko chuckled sadly as she pointed up at Moronari. “Here I was led to believe that you were instructed by the finest minds in all of the Empire. Pathetic.”

“If you were in front of me now woman. I would have your head removed for such an insult. Yet as you fail to have the bravery to face me directly. What do you want?” Moronari asked after he regained his royal composure.

“As I said sir. Your sister, the rightful ruler of this empire, has sent me to offer you terms for surrender. She wishes to avoid the upcoming battle in an attempt to spare as many lives as possible. She recognizes the fact that there is no need for bloodshed. By right of succession, She is the rightful ruler. This is proven by Her bond with the land.” The miniature Chiyoko said as she bowed to Moronari. “A task that you yourself have failed to accomplish.”

Chiyoko’s dig at his inability to perform a bond with the land grated on Moronari’s nerves. From the time he took the throne from his father, Moronari had sought the answers for Yuki Otani’s Trial and the location of the First Empress’s Tomb. Each and every attempt had led to failure. The greatest irritant he had faced in his life was the useless prattling of his teachers. How could they, mere mortals instruct him in his Gods given right to rule. Now, that bitch, his half-sister, had succeeded where he had failed was offering him terms of surrender. As much as he wanted to tell this phantom image to go to hell. Decorum demanded he hear her out.

“What are my sister’s terms?” Moronari grated out between clenched teeth.

“Quit the field. Disband your forces. Surrender your claim to the throne. Leave the nation never to return. In return you shall receive monetary compensation to support you in a lifestyle that is commencement to what you currently maintain.” Chiyoko told the man that she had no real respect for him at all. In her mind she should just kill Moronari and be done with the threat.

“Tell my sister. No tell your false Empress that I will not show her the same indignity that she has so foolishly offered me. When my forces have decimated her pathetic army to the last man. When I have her before me. She will either surrender her bond to the land to me or I shall tear it from her soul. If she surrenders and relinquish her claims to my throne and land, I shall let her live. That will be the only concession I shall give. Now begone.” Moronari ordered the tiny creature.

“Very well false Emperor, until the morning. Before I go, I have just one warning. The Dragon Kings are my only concern. They are my real enemy.” Chiyoko snarled. “I do not care whose ass sits upon the throne of this nation. Whatever you and your sister decide on the battlefield will be the fate of the throne. But your friends will not live out the day. Get between me and the Dragon Kings it will be the last thing you ever do. Have a good night and dream sweet.”

With that final insult the image of Chiyoko disappeared from the table. Leaving behind an evil laugh hanging in the air. One that sent a cold chill that filled both Moronari and his generals with an almost unbearable dread for the future. The first to regain their composure was Kaga. “That bitch shall die by my hands. How dare a mere woman think she can give orders to men.”

“Never mind that you fool. What did she mean by her real enemy being these Dragon Kings?” Grand Admiral Nagumo demand of the others.

“A myth. Nothing more than that. The woman is suffering from delusions of grandeur. I mean how could a woman claim to be the Kyamo no Sa? Only a man can control the power for the Samori of the Void.” General Yokota grunted.

At that point things could not have gotten crazier for the gathered Generals and Admirals. Five masked men appeared out of thin air. The oldest of them stepped forward. “We are no myth General Yokota. We are very much a reality in this world. Just as we are the power behind the throne.”

“And the ones that insure you remain in power.” Said the youngest of the five men.

“Gentlemen, it is about time you appeared. What took you so long to answer my summons?” Moronari asked with royal distain for the Dragon Kings’ late arrival.

“We had to arrange for certain matters to be taken care of before arriving Majesty. Mostly the ones that concern the prophecy that speaks to the return of the Empress.” Gōkō King of the Eastern Sea and eldest of the current Dragon Kings explained. He turned to face the gathered generals. “We heard the Kyamo no Sa’s warning. I suggest that you all heed her advice. Of all the Dragon Samurai, the Kyamo no Sa is the deadliest of them all. Her power is only equaled by ours.”

“And the other four Dragon Samurai? What of them?” General Kaga asked of Gōkō.

“They are nothing more than alchemists.” Gōkō chuckled. “Your combat alchemists should be able to handle them with ease.”

“Why is this Kyamo no Sa different from the other Dragon Samurai?” Asked Moronari.

“She is not constrained by the laws of equivalent exchange for starters. Her only constraint is her imagination. The Kyamo no Sa is in truth a Witch. Like all Wizards and Witches who use spells. She actually manipulates the pure magical energy of the world around us.” Gōkō explained coldly for the Moronari and his staff. “It is because of this that she has almost unlimited power.”

“Just how unlimited Master Gōkō?” Moronari asked with real concern for his life.

“If she could think of a spell that would banish your army. Then they would be gone in the blink of an eye.” Gōkō answered bluntly. “The only thing that stops her is her overdeveloped sense of morality and mercy. The child is unwilling to take a human life that can be spared. That will be her downfall.”

“Do you consider the destruction of an entire airship fleet showing mercy?” Moronari asked bluntly of the Dragon King.

“She only attacked the airships. She didn’t kill off the survivors.” Gōkō grunted. “We would have left no one to tell of what they saw.”

As if to drive that point home Gōkinjun, Dragon King of the Skies, the youngest of the five Dragon Kings raised his hand to point at General Kaga and Admiral Nagumo. “Be one with your ancestors, fools. Shi!”

The two men fell over dead before the sheer force of the young man’s one-word spell. Looking over at the rest of the gathered Staff. “That is the power of the Void. Power that we all hold. The power that we hold is but only a fraction of that which the Kyamo no Sa holds.”

“My young associate speaks the truth Emperor Moronari. If you are to maintain your hold on the throne. We, and only we, Dragon Kings must face her on the battlefield. To do otherwise is to risk everything we have worked for these past few years. That includes placing you on the throne.” Gōkō told him honestly. “We win all or lose everything. How many combat alchemists do you have at your disposal?”

“More than enough to handle a bunch of little girls. Why?” Asked General Toyota.

“We asked you how many?” Snarled Gōkin the Dragon King of the Southern Sea as he held out his hand slowly squeezing his fingers. Toyota dropped to his knees gasping for breath. It was as if Gōkin was chocking him from ten feet away. “Now how many combat alchemists do you have to draw on? Do not make me ask twice. Because Toyota’s life deepens on your answer.”

“Twenty-five of the finest combat alchemists for each study. Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. A full company of the best alchemists in all of our Nation.” General Nagumo answered quickly as he felt the need to try and save his fellow officer.

“That might be enough to hold them long enough for us to kill the Kyamo no Sa.” Gōkin grunted then looked down at the two men struggling to breath. With a wave of his hand the two men dropped face first to the ground gasping for air. “How many divisions were you able to gather here, Emperor?”

“Sadly, I have only been able to gather five divisions of Infantry, two divisions of Calvary, one division of armored wagons, and three battalions of artillery. I have been forced to spread the rest of my army throughout the land.” Moronari grumbled then spat upon the panting form of Nagumo. “Thanks to these incompetent fools. I am dealing with a peasant uprising in most of the rural areas.”

“Once you have delt with your half-sister, I am sure that the uprising will fail, Emperor.” Gōkō told Moronari smoothly as he bowed from the waist. “Until the morning, my liege. May the Gods of War favor your endeavor.”

With that the five Dragon Kings shimmered then vanished. As the five men disappeared from the tent Moronari let out the breath he had been holding. “You fools better put an end to this battle before they can kill the Kyamo no Sa.”

“We cannot control the tide or tempo of the war sire. We will win but we have no control of how long it will take to secure that win.” Nagumo answered hoarsely. Then he gave his Emperor a questioning look. “Sire, why would it matter if those powerful men join in our battle with your half-sister?”

“Because if the Dragon Kings become involved in the battle itself. We shall all lose General Nagumo. Not just myself, but all of us. I may remain on the throne, but I will be nothing more than a puppet.” Moronari told him before turning cold. “If that should happen. All of you will dine with your ancestors.”

Command tent, Camp for Empress Ren, Serpent’s gap, Chūgoku Mountains, south end.

Unknown to her at the very moment Ren mirrored her half-brother’s stance over a map table. Before her stood twelve Shoguns, the commanders of Dragon Empress’s Hidden Horde, her mother, and the six Dragon Knights. Yet it was to the Shoguns that she looked for military guidance. It was their plan to gather the men and women of her still growing army at the far southern end of the Serpent’s gap. It was their plan to place the few heavy artillery pieces high on the valley walls and along the upper ridgelines. It was their plan to place the three companies of armored wagons among the bolder shrouded valley floor. Ren was actually surprised that the Shoguns had actually rallied behind her banner. Ren looked to the only person who could have influenced so many powerful men, Kasumi Nishimura. The granddaughter of the most powerful Samurai in all of the land, Shogun Nishimura.

Yet, as she looked around the tent, Ren let her eyes fall on the one person who had more influence than that formidable man. Ren was amazed at how these men and women deferred to her mother and her judgement. Then again, her mother was once a Captain for the Royal Guards. Not just any Captain but the Commander of the Royal Scouts. The most elite unit within the Royal Guards. The fact that her mother was standing there in her armor done in the colors of the Royal Palace Guards helped. No one could mistake their purple, black, and red.

Ren chuckled when the Kuroi sora no senshi for the Lost Legions of the Void actually knelt before her swearing loyalty onto death to her mother. That one act set in motion a series of oaths by the Hidden Hord commanders. The Shoguns may have sworn their loyalty her, but the Hidden Hord had given their loyalty to her mother. The one person she could always trust. Ren knew that the Shoguns were only here for their own reasons. Chief among them was the hope for a return to the days when they held the power behind the throne. That won’t happen no matter what they tried now. The Hidden Hord would make sure of that.

Then there was the wild cards in her army. The Dragon Knights. At first, like all the others, Ren thought that they were reincarnation of the legendary Dragon Samurais of old. That was until she actually got to know her magical friends. They may carry swords and wear armor similar to a samurai, but they were no ordinary swords or armor. That didn’t even take into account the sheer raw barely restrained magical power that those six individuals possessed. The tent in which they stood all now stood was but a small testament to their power. All but two of them had a hand in bringing it to life. The scary part was that the most powerful of them had done nothing but stand off to one side looking at a small glowing ball of light.

When she finally closed her hand the ball of light went out. The look on Chiyoko’s face told Ren all she needed to know. “I take it that my brother refuses to see the truth of light, Lady Chiyoko?”

“The man is an arrogant, sexist, mindless, cock sucking, buddy fucking, assclown that needs to have his head examined in the name of science. Right after it was removed.” Chiyoko snarled then lashed out at the small end table next to her smashing it to pieces with an errant bust of magical power. Ren, and Setsu chuckled at the sudden looks of absolute fear that appeared on the faces of the gathered Commanders. Akane, Chikako, Kasumi, Yoshie, and Miles just sighed. Satomi and Satoko just stood there shaking their heads. This was just a normal display of emotion to them all by Chiyoko.

“Chiyoko will you please reign in your emotions, kōhai.” Satoko ordered with a heavy put upon look on her face. “You’re scaring the norms.”

“Yes sempai.” Chiyoko answered with a heavy blush. “It’s just that I have never had the pleasure of dealing with such a… a…”

“Assclown, shitbird, numb nut, scumbag, dickweed, any combination of the above?” Satomi asked helpfully. When Chiyoko nodded her head, Satomi smiled sadly. “Welcome to the world of the chauvinistic male kōhai.”

“If the Dragon Kings are anything like your brother Empress. I am going to enjoy tearing them apart.” Chiyoko snarled.

“I hope that you do. Were you able to accomplish your mission though?” Setsu asked of her with a nasty smile on her face.

“I believe that I have. I felt their presence through the channel. They may have been able to hide their power to the General Staff and the Emperor.” Chiyoko chuckled. “But not to me.”

“How could you tell, Kyamo no Sa?” Shogun Nishimura asked in confusion.

“Power calls to like power, oyakata-sama.” Chiyoko explained with a small smile. “I now know upon which mystical power they draw.”

“Which of the Five elements do they draw their power from kōhai?” Satoko asked.

“They are all users of the Void. Much like myself. Though unlike myself they specialize in the different arts that control the Void.” Chiyoko sighed. “I was even able to define which magical art they individually use.”

“What will you be facing kōhai?” Satomi asked with real worry.

“A Druid, a Diviner, a Warlock, an Illusionist, and a Necromancer. Of the five only the only one I’m worried about is the Warlock. There is the smell of Death magic upon him that the others lack.” Chiyoko explained for Satomi. “It is as if this one Dragon King has had his soul grafted to his current body.”

“Why do you say that kōhai?” Satomi asked quickly with real fear in her voice.

“It just feels like he is a walking corpse. As if his soul is extremely old yet his body is that of twenty-year-old man. It doesn’t make sense, sempai.” Chiyoko grunted in true frustration. Then Chiyoko thought about something she had once read in a horror/fantasy novel as a child. “Could it be a bog wraith? I mean they are legendary for being body snatchers in our home world.”

“Where is the dead body? A bog wraith can only inhabit the recently dead. Then there is the fact that a bog wraith can only use…” Satoko trailed off in her explanation as a disturbing thought crossed her mind. “You said that one of them is a Necromancer. Did you get a look at the physical embodiment?”

“No why?” Chiyoko asked her.

“The only way you could tell if you were dealing with a bog wraith is by the signs of possession.” Satoko explained then began to list the most visible signs. “The bog wraith shall be taller than normal. They also be either extremely handsome or beautiful. They shall have white within white eyes, extremely pale skin, and snow-white hair. The last sign shall be the canine teeth. The bog wraith shall have a double set of fangs. Upper and lower. The bog wraith needs blood to walk in sunlight. At least that is what the legends tell us.”

“What else can you tell us about these bog wraiths sempai?” Yoshi asked with real worry for her sister Chiyoko. “Do they have some weakness?”

“They are undead kōhai. They have some of the same weaknesses that Eastern European vampires do. Though the bog wraith needs to feed more often than a true vampire.” Satomi answered as she thought about the legends surrounding the feared creatures of legend. “They are week against Hollie, Hemlock, and Ash wood weapons. It does not have to be a stake. A simple club will cause tremendous damage. Things like garlic or holy water is nothing more than an irritant. Crosses and other holy relics hold no power over the bog wraith. Their only real weakness is holy incense. Examples are white sage, rose, sandalwood, and jasmine.”

“Damn. Any other good news you want to tell me?” Chiyoko snarked.

“Bog wraiths are natural users of Necromancy.” Satoko answered bluntly. “According to legends. Bog wraiths come about because a powerful Witch, Wizard, or someone who has a natural affinity for necromancy, is hexed by a Necromancer. Their undeaths give birth to a bog wraith. In the Witch or Wizard their power increases to a point that they normally only last a few years. Burning away to the point of ash. It is the normal humans, that have been turned, who are the true worry. When they turn, they have no limits to their power. The only way to kill them is to remove their head or sever their connect to the Void.”

“Are you telling me that I have to get close enough to remove a head to win against this thing?” Chiyoko asked with crossed eyes.

“Yes.” Satomi answered her bluntly. “Though there maybe more than just the bog wraith among the Dragon Kings.”

“What else could I be looking at sempai?” Chiyoko asked. “And why would the other Dragon Kings be anything other than humans?”

“While bog wraiths are natural necromancers they do not travel alone. They often travel in the company of an anti-Paladin, Banshee, Incubus, and Lich.” Satomi explained quietly as she did not want the gathered generals to panic.

“Oh shit! Five of the big guns for insanity in one place.” Chiyoko swallowed hard. “And I get the pleasure of facing off against all alone.”

“What do you mean Chiyoko? We’ll be there at your side.” Akane snapped.

“No, you won’t. You, Yoshi, Chikako, and Kasumi will be busy with the combat alchemists of Moronari’s army. As powerful as you and the other are Akane. You will all have your hands full just holding back those military alchemists. Miles is going to be busy with our dragons handling the airships that Moronari is sure to bring to the battle. Empress Ren and Captain Setsu will be handling the actual fight between the two armies. That leaves only one person to take on the Dragon Kings, me.” Chiyoko snarled as she slowly pulled her Sourusureiyāzu katana from its scabbard. With each inch of the blade exposed an unearthly glow of magic slowly grew around the young woman. “It is time that I end their reign of terror.”

Holding out her hand Chiyoko slowly breathed out. “Spirits of Time and Space. Demons of Hell. Angles of Heaven. I call upon your power!”

She knows just the song to pull both her and the Dragon Kings onto an even battlefield. She knows that the only way she even stands a chance of winning against these mages is by cheating. She has to pull out all the stops, holding nothing back. If she were to do that here in the realm the magical fallout could devastate the fabric of universe. Taking another deep breath Chiyoko begins to sing with all of her heart. Chiyoko pours all of her anger for the monsters that are the Dragon Kings into her song. The emotionally fueled song reaches out across both time and space.

The snap of power and pop of rushing air filled the space she once occupied. Yoshi, Akane, Kasumi, and Chikako dropped their heads in death. Miles, Satoko, Satomi all bowed their heads in prayer. Ren and her gathered advisors staired at the now empty space that the Kyamo no Sa once stood. Setsu cleared her throat and asked the question on all of their minds. “Mistresses, where has the Kyamo no Sa gone?”

“She has gone to do the one thing none of us can do, on her own.” Satoko answered as she walked over the field crates. Reaching into the one she knew had been brought by Shogun Nishimura, Satoko pulled out ten bottles of saké. She didn’t even bother with decorum or an apology as she handed out cups of the liquor. Once all of those gathered had a cup Satoko raised hers high. “May the Gods bless her with a truly divine wind to defeat her foes. KAMPAI!”

As once the gathered commanders quickly raised their glass and shouted at the top of the lungs. “KAMPAI!”

“You never answered Shogun Nishimura’s question Mistress Satoko. Where has the Kyamo no Sa gone? And why do I have the feeling that you do not expect her to return?” Ren demanded of the maiko.

“She has gone to face the Dragon Kings in the one place where she stands a chance of winning. If she can pull them to her, she’ll be there all on her own. She will face five extremely powerful mages on equal footing. All she’ll have is her wits, her nerve, and her blades to face them with. Her greatest weapons will be of no use to her in that realm.” Satoko pored herself a cup of sake and downed in one gulp. “If she should win there is no guarantee that she’ll be able to return. Either way Chiyoko has sealed the fate of the Dragon Kings.”

“WHAT HAS SHE DONE?!” Ren finally screams at the top of lungs with real fear for the fate of the young woman who had brought about this great moment of change. “WHERE HAS SHE GONE GODS BE DAMN IT?!”

“My blade has taken the battle to the one place where all are equal in our eyes, young Empress.” The Dragon Goddess Toyotama answered as she shimmered into existence before the gathered warriors. She was not alone as her brother Wolong appeared next to her. The power that radiated off the two gods forced the gathered warriors to kneel before them. Even the five remaining Dragon Knights knelt before these two power beings. “Not even we can interfere with her battle now. We may be gods but even we must abide by the laws of the Void.”

“And that is her realm to win or lose.” Wolong told them all. “Though this is one time that We fear she may have taken on more than she can handle.”

For the first time in her young life Akane dared to do the one thing that only Chiyoko would. She stood up and challenged the very Gods of her world. “You arrogant cocksuckers! You will happily let our sister sacrifice her life just to rid the world of those men? If I were you. I would pray that she does return. Because if she should fail. I’m coming for your asses. Now get the fuck out of here before I snatch your sorry asses bald for daring to show your faces.”

“Come sister. We have accomplished what we have come here for.” Wolong said with a sly knowing smile on his face. “We need no longer fear for the safety of this realm. Its fate is in honorable hands now.”

“Very true brother. You go ahead and go. I’ll be along shortly.” Toyotama instructed her brother. Once he was gone the Dragon Goddess turned to the five remaining Dragon Knights. “Should your sister return to you young Flame Blade know this. She will not be the same as when she left. Those that dance with the Void in its purest of forms are forever changed. The Masters of the Void always claim a price.”

“Then I will pay their price.” Akane snapped out angerly.

“As will I, bitch.” Yoshie swore.

“For my sister I will face the Kings of Hell. What is their price?” Chiyoko snarled.

“What’s one more Blood debt to free the one who freed me?” Kasumi demanded.

“Do not fool yourself Goddess. My honor will not let any god take that which belongs to my family without a fight.” Miles swore as he stepped in front of the four girls. To drive his point home Miles slowly drew his broadsword from its scabbard at his hip. Toyotama knew that the blade in his hand was crafted to slay dragons. For the first time she realized that the Dragon Samurai may have been the tools of her and her siblings, but the Dragon Knights belonged to her aunt. The greatest and most powerful of the Majestic Dragons, the Head Bitch in Charge, Tiamat. “I care not whose arse sits upon this earthly throne or your Heavenly one.”

“Then I suggest you pray to my aunt the Grand Lady Tiamat, Knight of White Rose Dragon Order. For only she holds any true power within the Void.” With that final warning Toyotama faded into nothingness.

Miles sheathed his broadsword as he turned to face the others gathered in the tent. “Mistresses Satoko and Satomi, was what the Goddess Toyotama said true? That only the Lady Tiamat has any real power within the Void?”

“I can only speak of what I know Sir Miles. Of all the Dragon Gods she is the most Chaotic of them all. If any one god or goddess could hold sway within the Void, I would have to say it is her.” Satoko answered honestly before turning Satomi. “What about it, sister. This is more along your lines of study.”

After a few minutes of heavy thought Satomi nodded her head. “If you know of any special rituals or prayers for Tiamat Sir Miles. I highly suggested that you use them now.” Satomi told him as she looked to where Chiyoko once stood. “Because if the only God that can save Chiyoko now is Tiamat. She is going to need all the help that she can get her hands on.”

“Damned foolish girl.” Snarled one of the Shoguns only to have nine mystical swords flashing into existence and a snarl from his Empress reach his ear.

“She did this to save us from facing them on the battlefield you old fool. Of all those gathered here only she held the power to face the Dragon Kings.” Ren snarled. Then looked to the empty spot where Chiyoko once stood. “As for us. We have a war to win. I for one will not fail the Kyamo no Sa.”

As one the gathered leaders all bowed to their Empress and filed out of the tent. By silent accord each and everyone swore that they would bring either victory or death for the Kyamo no Sa. Ren could see it in their eyes as they passed her on their way back to their individual units. In their minds this upcoming battle was no longer for the throne of their nation. It was now a fight for the very soul of their people and their freedom. This idea was driven home by the simple act of one young woman bent on facing odds that were at best stupid, but in truth deadly. Once Ren was alone with her mother, and the Dragon Knights, she let out a heavy sigh.

Ren looked to the two people who could offer her any hope for the return of her friend. “Sensei’s, what are Chiyoko’s chances of succeeding?”

Satoko and Satomi looked at each other before Satoko answered the young Empress’s question. “Her chances are better than most. I would say they are about even. It is after her battle that we are worried about.”

“Why?” Ren asks.

“Because, if the Twin Dragon Gods of Balance are right.” Satomi took up their explanation with a heavy heart. “Then only the Goddess Tiamat can save her.”

“And the chances of that GODDESS intervening on behalf of a mortal, no matter how favored by the other gods, is a roll of Fates dice.” Satoko grunted then sighed. “For some reason I truly fear that this time our dear Chiyoko is going to shoot craps.”

-----tbc-----