An Unearthly Storm...

By Dennis Quearry

I watched the waves crash against the cliffs below as the wind howled unearthly.I raised my hand and felt the scar that ran down my face, and I remembered the my family was betrayed. I thought how the empire has been betrayed also, by the insect that now holds the throne. An insect I deem to crush under my armies feet. My alliance shall sail from my island home, march from the minor strongholds, and seize the capital city of Otosan-Uchi. I shall usher forth a new destiny upon the empire and with it restore order to our once balanced land. My fingers linger slowly over my helm, and over the mandibles that form the mempo. I am the son of storms, the blood of Osano-Wo courses through my veins and I will not let my family down. Yes, I am a daimyo of a minor clan, but maybe now is the time for the great clans to step down and let the people have a say in how they are ruled. Though I could care less about this as I have my sights set upon the throne and the coming of the new age. I have used the Crane's koku they gave me for attempting to help and hide them from the searching Scorpion magistrates. I have turned Tsuruchi and the Wasps loose upon the empire and allowed them to hunt magistrates bearing the Scorpion mon. For when I am deemed Emperor, I shall pardon his brashness against the laws of the former Emperor. Yes, a new age is coming, one of ambition. I look back out over the sea and I notice the dark clouds gathering to the south. Something must be happening to the Shadowlands. It grows darker each passing day and my scouts have brought back reports of the Wall collapsing in certain places. I must also follow the way of my ancestor, the fortune Osano-Wo. I must help my fellow brothers defend the wall against the hordes of Oni. With these thoughts I am torn, torn to take the throne or save the empire from the threat of annihilation. I will have to save the empire, because if I do not, there will be no throne to claim.

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