Emperor Moronari Souma stood quietly at the head of the throne room. He knew that absolute power was his and his alone. He had more than 1,500,000 men under arms in his army. Almost twice that number within his navy and marine contingent. His military four million men within his military and still he wasn’t safe from his one true threat. His half-sister.

“Prime minister Akiyama, can you please explain to me how a full Squadron of Cavalry of my finest troops could be so totally decimated?” Moronari snarled.

“I have no excuse, your Glorious Majesty. With no survivors I have no way of verifying the reports from the villagers.” The Prime minister answered with a bow of deepest respect and fear. He fully expected the Emperor to hand him a knife and demand he commit seppuku.

“Then what exactly do those foolish villagers say?” Moronari hissed as he placed his left hand on the tantō that sat on the desk next to him.

“According to what my spies have been able to gather, sire. A giant white majestic dragon flown by an Iberian Knight attacked our Cavalry Unit.” The minister explained slowly. He knew that the next part of the report would anger the Emperor even more. “From what the spies were able to gather. Our newest rifles and heavy machineguns had no effect on the dragon.”

“What of the portable rocket launchers? What effect did they have?” Moronari wasn’t liking where this report was going. If his half-sister had access to dragons then his time on the throne was short. He knew that not even his whole army could stand up to more than just one majestic dragon.

“They had no effect sire.” The Prime minister answered as he bowed even deeper. “If the reports are accurate. The dragon flew too fast for the men manning those weapons to track and aim accurately.”

“Damnation. So, my sister has escaped me for now.” Moronari grumbled. Then a thought occurred to him. “Would the new flying wings be fast enough to track the beast in the air?”

“Most likely sire. The problem is not if they are fast enough. They just lack the needed firepower to kill the beast.” The Prime minister answered honestly. He knew that even the flying wings’ new extra heavy machineguns would not kill a dragon. He feared what his Emperor would order his men to do next. Unlike the Emperor, Akiyama knew the legends that surrounded dragons and their loyalty to their riders.

“What about the rider? Shouldn’t the new rifles and machineguns be able to kill the rider at least?” The Emperor demanded.

“Sire, please consider your words carefully. The warnings are all there in the legends. They speak the truth about the only thing that keeps a dragon from running wild on a battlefield is their riders.” Akiyama pleaded.

“What are you talking about, Akiyama? What legends?” Moronari demanded. He knew that his mother had tried to teach him the old legends. None of which he cared about in truth. He knew, just knew, that the race of majestic dragons were a thing of the past. That only the celestial dragons remained.

“Sire, during the last uprising of the Dragon Kings one of the Dragon Samurai was killed. That Samurai’s dragon went on an unstoppable rampage. A rampage that leveled the city of Nonju.” Akiyama grunted. “In less than four hours.”

For the first time in his life Moronari knew true fear. “What have our friends done in response to this latest development?”

“Truthfully, sire, nothing.” At the Emperor’s glare of displeasure Akiyama sighed. “They have stated that they will handle our problem children themselves. That we are to stay out of their way.”

“Any idea of where the new Dragon Samurai and their beasts have taken to holding up?” The Emperor asked politely.

“Just one, sire. The same place that they first appeared.” Akiyama sighed as he knew that his Emperor wasn’t one to tolerate failure.

“The Temple of Eternal Balance.” The Emperor grated out. Of the ten great temples. It was the only one that he dared not destroy. The political fallout would be too great for even him to withstand in this current climate. The population would rise up in open revolt against him and his administration. “Tell me Prime minister. Do you believe that these newest Dragon Samurai would shelter my sister within their walled compound?”

“In all likelihood sire. It would stand to reason.” Akiyama answered honestly after taking in the situation. “After all sire. The Watatsumi compound is the most heavily protected magical compound in all of the Empire. Not even the Empyreal castle comes close to the magical protections of that compound.”

“What of the Temple of Eternal Truth and the other great temples?” Moronari practically demanded of his Prime minister. “Shouldn’t their own magical protections match that of the Watatsumi compound?”

“According to the Military Mages and Alchemists sire. Watatsumi is a one of a kind compound. Not only is it protected by the power of a God. It sits upon an ancient magical wellspring. It is also the nexus point for twelve of the most powerful ley lines. There is no other place like that compound in all of the Empire. The closest such place is deep in the heart of mainland Wo-hann in the Valley of Mist. There stands the Tower of Gazarax.” Akiyama knew that he was on solid ground with this topic. One that he could use as an excuse to finally invade Wo-hann. “According to legend the great mage Khuwix raised the tower in one night. Just by using the natural magical upswell from the Valley of Mist.”

“Was the man a mage or alchemist?” Moronari asked in awe.

“No one really knows, sire. According to the ancient texts. Gazarax was a student of both alchemy and the mystical arts. The man was a true mystical arts master.”
The more that Akiyama talk about the Tower, the more that the Emperor wanted to get his hands on the tower. “Tell me Prime mister. Just how powerful of a focal point is that Tower? Could it be used by our own mages and alchemists?”

“Sire, it is nothing more than legend now. The actual location is lost to time.” This was an area that delved into the mystical and Akiyama wasn’t too comfortable discussing the sheer power of that legendary tower. At least not with his power-hungry Emperor. “And I doubt that even the Arch Mage and Senior Alchemist would be able to give us a full comprehensive report on the power that is held by that tower.”

“Why not?” The Emperor asked.

“I don’t understand fully myself, sire. Only that if that tower still stands it would act as a focal point for the power of the ley lines.” Akiyama told him honestly. He wasn’t going to tell the Emperor that there were two other such focal points within the Empire. “Sire, even with all our advances in the mystical arts. We still lack any real understanding of ley lines.”

“What exactly are these ley lines?” The Emperor asked in confusion.

“It depends on who you ask sire. If you ask a Legend hunter, they’ll tell you that Ley lines are nothing more than straight alignments drawn between various historic structures and prominent landmarks. The idea was developed in fourth century Europe, with ley line believers arguing that these alignments were recognized by ancient European, Liberion, and far Eastern Asian societies which deliberately erected structures along them at points of intersection. If you ask the mystical societies their members as mages and alchemists. They’ll say that such ley lines demarcate ‘earth energies’. Archaeologists and scientists regard ley lines as an example of pseudo-archaeology and pseudo-science. No one really knows exactly what they are or how they interact with the world around them.” Akiyama just shrugged his shoulders. “It is all greatly beyond my understanding sire.”

“I understand, Prime minister.” The Emperor actually did understand the man’s situation. If the Academics couldn’t agree on what ley lines were then how could the everyday man understand? He really needed to get a handle on the different ideologies that ran rapid among the Sciences of his nation. With a heavy sigh Emperor Moronari Souma asked the one question he feared. “Tell me something old friend. How great of a threat is my half-sister?”

“May I speak freely sire?” The Emperor just nodded his head. “If she has truly joined forces with the Dragon Samurai. Then all we can do is try to discredit her claim to the throne.”

“Is there no way to end her threat to my rule other than that?” Moronari asked Akiyama with real fear in his voice. “Is there no one who can penetrate the Watatsumi compound and kill her?”

“Sire, the only way to enter that compound is by invitation. The last shinobi that dared to try was turned to dust before they even cleared the outer wall. Only the Dragon Samurai can come and go as they please from that most sacred of citadels. Not even the monks for the Temple of Eternal Balance can enter without the permission of the Dragon Samurai.” Akiyama explained. He knew that he would have to send a small team of shinobi to try if Moronari ordered him to do so.

“Then we must draw her and those beasts out into the open. To a place where we can bring the full weight of our forces to bare upon them. Some place that we can afford to be destroyed.” Moronari mused aloud. A small and vicious smile graced the Emperor’s mouth. “Contact our friends in the Thunder Bulldog Syndicate. If they want to continue to receive our protection. Then they will remove the threat to my throne.”

“It will be done before nightfall, sire.” Akiyama answered with a grim nod of his head. “Do you wish to have the Dragon Samurai removed as well?”

The Emperor stood there for a moment thinking. “No. Their only target is my bitch half-sister. As for the Dragon Samurai. Leave them to the Dragon Kings. After all, if it were not for them the Dragon Samurai would never have returned from the shadows of legend.”

Ishiyama Iron Works

Haru Ishiyama stood quietly behind his desk staring out of the office window. He knew that their attempts to capture the Dragon Empress had failed for two reasons. As hard as he tried to explain to the older three Kings. They still placed too much faith in the Empires Army. Especially in their new weapons. That was their first mistake. Though it was not the biggest mistake.

No that belonged to one thing. Their overwhelming hubris. “Damned old fools. The idea of trying to force the Empress to bow to their will is such folly that it is beyond imagination. Everything about the situation dictated restraint that it should have been obvious.”

“That may be true, brother.” The voice that came from behind him was one that he had only heard once before. As Haru turned to face the man that was not there before he smiled. “We both know that we must bide our time. Our older brothers still believe that we can control this nation from the shadows. Until they realize the foolishness of this idea, we wait. When our time comes, we strike; strike hard and seize the throne for ourselves. That is the only way we will be able to drag our nation into the current century. Then we can free our people from the grasp of superstition and false religions. That is our duty.”

“I hear and understand what you’re getting at, Kaii.” Haru told the tall, extremely handsome young man with white within white eyes, pale skin, and white hair. “Though right now. WE are the ones that must deal with this farce that our older Kings have dropped into our laps.”

“Yes and no, Haru. Yes, they were the ones to dump this mess into our laps. No, in that we don’t have to clean it up.” Kaii chuckled. He waved towards Haru’s liquor cabinet. “May I help myself?”

“Be my guest, Kaii. I have an assortment of the best Western style liquor that money can buy.” Haru answered with a wave and a smile. “On one condition. Tell me exactly how we’re going to deal with the Empress and those damned Dragon Samurai. As it stands right now, she and they are too well protected by the magic of that damned compound.”

As Kaii fixed himself a whiskey on the rocks he explained his idea. “The shogun for that area is an old family friend. I’m sure that if we arrange for his men-at-arms to receive the newest long-range sniper rifles. He would be more than willing to help us eliminate the Dragon Samurai. They are after all just walking around doing whatever they desire within his Shogunate.”

“Do you truly believe that this Shogun will be willing to help us? He is after all ones of those we wish to be rid of in our new society.” Haru asked Kaii with more than a little skepticism.

“The man is a relic of the past. He has sworn his undying loyalty to that fool Emperor. His honor will be enough for him to attack the Dragon Samurai.” Kaii chuckled before taking a drink of his whiskey. “We just need to tell him that having the Dragon Samurai operating in his Shogunate is an afront to the Emperor. That will be more than enough of a reason for him to gather his private army and attack the Temple of Eternal Balance.”

“I can arrange for the weapons. I have more than a few connections within the Empyreal Army’s supply chain to divert the needed rifles. I can even arrange for two of the new rapid-fire anti-aircraft guns to be placed in the Shogun’s hands.” Haru took a drink of his own whiskey before continuing. “If I could, I would arrange for one of the new armored strike wagons.”

“That would be far too much firepower in that old bastard’s hands. We must be careful in our manipulation of the old Shogun brother. He still believes in honor and the Ways of Bushidō.” Kaii took another sip of his drink. “As much as it pains me to say this. Our older brothers may be right in some ways. Especially when dealing with these leftover and worthless fossils.”

“We should just have that worthless shit Minister Hibeki send in a full battalion of heavy cannon with infantry. That way we could just flatten that damned temple and be done with it.” Haru snarled.

“Tell me brother. What is it about the Temple of Eternal Balance that twists your reasoning so?” Kaii asked politely.

“It is more than just the influence that Temple and the others like it that hold over the populace. It is they’re continuous bleeding of the population in the support of their superstitious beliefs. They have brainwashed the masses into believing that only through slavish devotion to Gods at their temples will they be rewarded in the afterlife. We both know the falsehood of that lie. It is not through blind obedience to men so old they need to have their pulses checked hourly. The only way to gain the favor of the Gods is through action. Action taken with your own hands.” Haru tossed back the last of his whiskey. “If one wants power. Real power it must be taken by force. This is something that we both know as truth.”

“True, very true, brother. Though until we can remove our older brothers. We need those old fools and their temples to control the masses.” Kaii warned his hot-blooded brother in the Dragon Kings. “First, we must free the people from this foolish Emperor and his failed policies.”

“To do that we need someone to dispose of the Emperor.” Haru countered. Then he stopped midway into pouring him a new drink. “Tell me brother. Exactly why are we helping the Emperor with ridding himself of his half-sister?”

“Because we will never be able to control the bitch is why.” Kaii stated bluntly. At the doubtful look on Haru’s face he explained. “The prophecies all tell of how she will be the one to topple our reign. She is as much a threat to us as she is to the Emperor and his ilk.”

“Who says we won’t be able to control her? And don’t say the prophecies.” Haru grunted then smiled. “We get ahold of her slut mother. We control her.”

“I understand what you’re getting at now brother. There is only one problem.” Kaii went on to explain with a sigh. “The girl doesn’t even know her mother.”

“What does that mean? Exactly.” Haru grunted.

“There are several reasons for starters brother. The first of which is the woman who raised her is not her mother. Just a former Empyreal Guards Scout that was charged with hiding the child as an infant. Her real mother was killed during that nasty little place uprising a few years ago. The Scout was lucky to get her out. Secondly. Even if we could get our hands on the Scout. The chances of actually holding her for any reasonable amount of time are slim to none. Then there are our chances for actually capturing someone who was trained to be an Empyreal Guards’ Scout. That alone reduces the chances of your idea working to less than point one percent.” At Haru’s disbelieving look Kaii sighed. “I can tell that you do not believe what I’m saying. Do you even know what an Empyreal Scout is?”

“Not really. Just that they are all part of the Empyreal Guards. They are an elite unit that are all trained from childhood. That is all that anyone knows about them. Their actual training methods are a tightly held state secret.” Haru told Kaii as he took a drink from his second glass.

“Maybe one out of ten survive their training, Haru.” Kaii grunted then took a heavy drink from his glass. “For every one-hundred children they take into their training program maybe eight or nine reach the age of service. They also take both boys and girls. They treat the two sexes the same.”

“What do you mean by survive to the age of service?” Haru asked.

“Those that do not pass they’re training. Die from their training.” Kaii grunted out bluntly. “The Scouts of the Empyreal Guards are more than just an elite unit. They are the final line of defense for the Royal Family. Steeped in the ideals of Death before Dishonor. They will literally die to the last man or woman for the Empyreal Family. They are the true Shadow Warrior of our Empire.”

“You said there were several reasons brother. So far you have only listed two reasons. Both of which I will give you are extremely hard to dispute.” Haru explained as he took another drink from his whiskey. “Though none of these obstacles are in and of themselves reason enough to ignore a chance at gaining control over the Dragon Princess.”

“Then the last reason will drive my point home. The Dragon Princess is now under the protection of the Dragon Samurai. Where do you think they’ll take the Dragon Princess? To some forgotten castle? Or perhaps an out of the way shrine? No, brother. They’ll secure her behind the walls of their compound at the Temple of Eternal Balance.” Kaii swallowed the last of the whiskey in his glass. “A place that not even our dark arts can reach.”

“That may true, brother. It doesn’t mean that the Princess is safe from harm. Surely our friends within the Corrupted Dragon Guild could penetrate that compound. After all it’s just a barely over ten-feet high.” Haru pointed out. He figured that an actual physical attack could do what a mystical one couldn’t do. That was kill the Dragon Princess.

“Have you heard nothing of what I have said brother?” Kaii snapped. “That compound is more protected than the Empyreal Palace.”

“Then what do we do about the Princess? We cannot really use her to further our goals. We cannot kill her while she stays behind those compound walls. What are you proposing?” Haru demanded.

“I’m afraid brother that we must wait for her to come out and face the fool that sits on the Empyreal Throne. Then and only then, do we strike.” Kaii grunted. “It will be the only time that she and her guardians will be without their greatest weapons. Their damned dragons.”

“What I cannot understand is why our modern weapons are having no effect on the dragons. The Cavalry troop that was sent to capture the Princess was armed with heavy and light machineguns, not to mention the new rapid-fire three-oh-eight rifles.” Haru took a drink from his glass. “I’ve seen those weapons punch holes in the armor of a samurai at four hundred yards. Yet the dragon that attack those men suffered no harm.”

“Haru, majestic dragons are a different breed of dragon. Unlike the celestial dragons that naturally inhabit our nation’s mountains. The majestic dragons are a warrior breed of dragon. Their hide is going to be more like armored plate than skin. Unlike you and the others I have studied the ancient texts that surround the Dragon Samurai and their dragons. Those dragons are beyond any dragon born this side of the World’s Spine Mountains.” Kaii explained.

“What are you talking about Kaii? Dragons are dragons. They all have the same weaknesses. One of which is cold forged iron. The full metal jacketed rounds of the military’s rifles and machineguns should have punched massive holes in that beast. Not to mention its rider.” Haru countered with confidence. “Magic can only do so much against science.”

“That is where you’re wrong, brother. Even the ancient texts speak of how the iron tipped arrows of our ancestors failed to pierce the hides of those dragons. The same dragons that have returned from legend brother.” Kaii took a drink from his own glass. “That is, if the reports from our spy are accurate.”

“Speaking of our spy within the walls of the Temple. Have you heard anything from him the last few days?” Haru asked politely.

“Nothing. It’s as if the man dropped off the face of the earth.” Kaii grounded out between his teeth. “I’m afraid that the Dragon Samurai may have taken him out of play. How they would have done that is beyond me.”

“Then I suggest you remember those ancient texts brother. What do they say about the powers of the Dragon Samurai? ‘With the power to challenge even the Dragon Gods themselves, they shall ride forth and deliver justice to those who place themselves above others.’ I do hope that I’m quoting the texts correctly.” Haru asked of his more scholarly Dragon King brother.

“You’re quoting the teachings of the Shrine Maiden Musu Matsura. One of the more obscure texts to be sure. Though it is one of the few that actually talks about the power that is bestowed upon the Dragon Samurai.” Kaii chuckled as he thought about the text that Haru quoted. “And yes, you quoted it correctly. Though there is more to that stanza. The rest is a warning to the Dragon Kings. Along with a way to stop the Dragon Samurai from returning.”

“I don’t understand. Why would a Shrine Maiden give warning to us?” Haru asked in true bewilderment.

“Musu Matsura was no ordinary Shrine Maiden. She and her family were charged with protecting the seal placed upon a Demon King. The women in her family were all cursed with the Third Eye and in some cases such as with Musu. The women were cursed with the ability of dark prophecy. Personally, I have always believed that the Demon King influenced those young women. Because like Musu none of those women lived to see their third decade.” Kaii told Haru with more than a little sadness in his voice. “They were usually killed by their own family to keep them from going mad from the visions they saw. I also believe that Musu wrote her teachings as a way to get revenge before her death. I know that my mother would have done such a thing.”

“As would have my own mother. That is the truth behind all women, Kaii. You threaten them or push them into a corner. All women will fight to the death. I learned that at her knee as a child.” Haru explained with a smile.

“That is something that we both have in common. I just have to look to what my mother has done with our family’s company. More than a few of those old bastards are regretting their choice of siding with the old Prime Minister and his cronies.” Kaii chuckled as he thought about a few of the rumors that have been circulating regarding him and his mother.

“I take it that your mother has finally put a squash on the rumors concerning you being her paramour?” Haru chuckled.

“Finally.” Kaii chuckled. “Though we did have a few laughs over those rumors. I especially like the one that had us secretly engaged.”

“I have to tell you that is one rumor I didn’t hear.” Haru chuckled. “Though if I had I would have handled the problem myself.”

“I thank you for that brother. Though I find that the rumors severe a propose. One that my mother is using to her advantage.” Kaii chuckled. “In many ways she had done more for our cause than all the spies our brothers have been able to gather throughout the Empire.”

“How so?” Haru asked bluntly.

“Let’s just say that you need to be careful of what you say over your telephone. Not too mention what you send over the telegraph. Our operators see all, hear all, and all are loyal to the woman who signs their paychecks.” Kaii grinned evilly. “Not surprising really. After all. Those operator positions are now staffed by ninety percent women.”

“WHAT? HOW?” Haru asked as he looked down at the telephone on his desk.

“My mother knew long ago that the pleasant voice of a polite and sweet young woman on the other end of a connection was preferable to that of a gruff and ill mannered man.” Kaii explained about his mother’s reasoning. “You would be surprised about what those young ladies hear. Our society is far too trusting of those sweet young ladies. Especially amongst our fellow males.”

“Does that include our fellow Dragon Kings?” Haru asked bluntly.

“Oh yes, brother, in more ways than one.” Kaii answered coldly. “I know exactly what each one of our older brothers has planned. Along with what they want to happen, as far as we are concerned.”

“Should I take this as a warning to be on my guard around them?” Haru asked.

Kaii gave Haru a one-word answer. An answer that drove the point home that they could not trust the older members of the Dragon Kings. “Yes.”

Toyota Power and Water

Rin Toyota looked over his desk at his two fellow Dragon Kings. As the current Lord Gōkin and the second oldest Dragon King he felt that it was his duty to inform the other two of current situation with the Emperor. “I’ve asked you both here for a reason. It seems that our efforts to secure the Dragon Princess have failed.”

“What?! How did it happen Lord Gōkin?” Lord Gōkō demanded first.

“We had a full Cavalry unit in place to capture the bitch. More than enough to handle any civil revolt. What went wrong?” Gōjun asked in bewilderment.

“I’m still trying to work that out brothers. Though I believe that we may have placed far too much trust in the Prime Minister of the Military.” Rin explained with more than a little certainty. “I fear that we may need to have him replaced. As for what went wrong in the capturing of the Princess. My spies within the Ministry of the Military the Princess was rescued by a majestic dragon and its rider. How truthful those reports are, is yet to be determined. Though I believe them to be the truth.”

“How so Lord Gōkin? What proof do you have?” Gōjun asked him.

“If the Gōkinjun and Gōjin were here they would be better to explain. Of our number they are the most learned in the ancient texts. Especially those regarding the Dragon Samurai and the Dragon Princess.” Rin sighed heavily before turning to Gōkō. “Any idea of why they have failed to reply to the summons to this meeting?”

“Only that they were engaged in a venture to bring the Dragon Princess into our hands. Though how they knew our plan for her capture would fail before it even began is beyond me.” Gōkō snarled.

“I believe that it is their knowledge of the ancient texts that has given them both an insight that we lack.” Rin snorted. “That and their youth.”

“True. They are not hampered by our more traditional thinking at times.” Gōkin explained as he breathed out heavily. “If I didn’t know that their loyalty to our cause was without question, I would remove their heads now. Ending any threat, they posed to our plans.”

“Are we truly assured of their loyalty? They are after all the newest of our ranks. Neither one has seen more than three decades. Let alone the hundreds of years that we have all seen.” Gōjun snorted. “They were not there during the dark years of the Reconstruction following the collapse following the War with Eurasia Major Empire.”

“Do you really think that they would betray us?” Gōkō asked him bluntly.

“As much as I hate to say this brother, I do.” Gōjun told them both. “What of you Gōkin? Don’t you see their threat?”

“Sadly, I do.” Rin sighed. “I have had time to dig into our newest brothers’ backgrounds. I believe that I have uncovered their motives for joining our ranks. They seek only to change the way our nation is ruled. They may have been given the Dragon Gods’ blessings. But they lack the ambition to be truly ruthless in gaining more power or for ruling more than just this nation.”

“Very well, we’ll take the needed precautions towards our younger brethren. The question we face now is what do we do about the Dragon Princess and her damnable guardians? So long as she stays behind the walls of that compound, she is safe.” Gōkō ground out.

“I believe that our friends within the Sapphire Phoenix can handle our problem. They are after all the finest Shadow Warriors that money can buy.” Rin told them both with an evil grin.

“I’ll see to the arrangements brothers.” Gōjun said with a small bow of his head. “I’ll ensure that they carry out our wishes with the utmost discretion.”

“Discretion is not the most important of issues. Speed is.” Rin ordered him. “We need for them to either kidnap the Princess or kill her. Preferably kidnap her. If not possible then they must kill her.”

“Why kidnap her, brother?” Gōkō asked. “Isn’t it better for her to die?”

“No. The reason is simple now that I have had time to deliberate over the problem.” At the blank looks of the others Rin went on to explain. “She is a threat to the current fool that we put on the Throne. A threat that we can control. Through that control we will have better control over that fool.”

“Use the threat of his half-sister to keep him in line with our wishes. Nice. We can place her in the old Jindong Castle. It is far enough from any town or city that can be used as a political power base. As for the castle staff, we can supply those from our personal retainers. When it comes to men-at-arms foreign mercenaries will do just fine. Mostly because their loyalty goes to whoever pays them.” Gōjun said with a nasty grin. “I know just the mercenaries to use. You’ve all heard of the Archers of the Obscene?”

“You would use a sledgehammer to pound in a horseshoe nail.” Gōjun chuckled. “Well thought brother. Now we just need to secure the Princess. What of the Dragon Samurai? How shall we deal with them?”

“We cannot control those girls or their dragons. As much as I would love to find some form of coercion to use against them. Our spies within the Temple of Eternal Balance have confirmed that they have no ties to anyone.” Rin sighed. “Our greatest asset with the Temple wasn’t able to find any connections to the rest of the common people. It is as if they stepped through the Great Vale and onto our world fully formed.”

“How is that possible? They have to have some kind of connection to this world. No one just pops up out of nothing.” Gōkō grunted.

“Be that as it may, brother. That is the case with these five women. They have no earthly or family connections that we can extort.” Rin told them.

“Then we have no other choice then to have the Dragon Samurai eliminated.” Gōjun grunted. “I had hoped that we would not have to face them in open warfare. The cost is going to be heavy.”

“How do you figure that Gōjun?” Rin asked him.

“Because as good as the Sapphire Phoenix are, they will fail.” Rin told them both coldly. “In that failure our existence will come to light. When that happens the Dragon Samurai will come for us. When they do, they will bring their dragons. Between the power of those dragons and their own mystical power. No matter the size of military force we can gather. We will become nothing more than a footnote in the pages of history.”

“If that much. All of the mages, alchemists, and Legend Hunters that I have been able to gather tell me the same thing.” Gōkō grunted.

“And what is it they say brother?” Rin asked.

“That unless we can kill the Dragon Samurai before the next full moon. All that we have worked towards over the last hundred and fifty years will be for nothing. They will place the Dragon Princess on the throne.” Gōkō breathed in heavily before continuing. “And in their passing, they well destroy every last institution that we have been able to put into place.”

“Do you think that the Emperor will make his own move to remove the threat of his half-sister now that he knows where she is?” Gōjun asked.

“I do. We’ll know if he does make a move within the next few hours.” At that time Rin’s desk phone rang. Picking up he asked. “What is it Masu? I see. Yes, go ahead and put him through.” After a short pause Rin asked. “What do you have for me Akiyama?”

Rin stood there listening to the one man that was more loyal to him than any other. A man that was as close to the Emperor than any other Advisor. “Thank you, Akiyama. Go ahead and follow the Emperor’s orders. Please make arrangements for three divisions of heavy Infantry with armor and as much air support as you can get to be readied for combat. The place will be forth coming. Once we have decided where we’ll hold our battle.”

After hanging up the phone Rin looked over at his two brothers. “It seems that the Emperor is done waiting and hiding behind his crown.”

“What has he done?” Gōkō sighed.

“He has given orders for the Thunder Bulldog Syndicate to kill his sister within the Watatsumi Compound. As for the Dragon Samurai. We are to remove them as a threat.” Rin sighed just as heavily as Gōkō. “By every means possible. Even if we have to use open warfare.”

“Then the time has finally come.” Gōjun said as he stood up. “In the next few days, we will either die on the battlefield or gain the nation.”

“It is more than that Gōjun.” Gōkō said as he to stood up. “We win or die. It is an all or nothing situation now. Before we had the chance of holding onto a good portion of our power. Even with the Princess on the throne.”

“Now that chance is gone.” Gōjun grimaced. “Is there nothing that we can do to mitigate the impact of the Emperor’s actions?”

“I highly doubt it brother. According to our spies within the Temple the Dragon Samurai are going to come out of their compound in a blind rage. They will crossover the Chūgoku, Hida, Kiso, and Akaishi mountain ranges, as if the very hounds of hell are chasing them. I will tell you both now those five dragons and their riders will descend upon the Empyreal Castle unleashing their unholy wrath.” Rin explained for the other two Dragon Kings. “And we will be right in their path.”

“Where shall we confront them then brother?” Gōkō asked with real worry.

“The only place where we stand a chance.” Rin grunted.

“And where is that?” Gōjun demanded.

“Where it all began for the Legend of the Dragon Samurai.” Rin said as he turned to look out the window of his office. “We face them in the Chūgoku Mountains, in their very heart, the Serpent’s gape.”

“You do know that the Empress Yuki Otani demanded a shrine to be built upon that battlefield. There is no way that the locals will just stand back and let an army to occupy that valley. They’ll rise up in the hundreds. By the time that our army is fully deployed the commoners will have gathered in the thousands. What will we do then?” Gōkō demanded of Rin. He knew how the situation would play out in his head.

“Then we shed the blood of the fools that dare to defy us and the Emperor.” Rin told them both coldly. “In this world power is all that matters.”

-----tbc-----