Is it Enlightened Madness or is it the
Secrets of the Dragon?
AlEG and Rich Wulf have been publishing the
Enlightened
Madness series over the
last few weeks. What started out as the Dragon Clan's attempt
to retrieve Togashi's
Daisho from Kokujin has metamorphasized into revealing the mysteries
of the ise
zumi and of Togashi himself. As the Dragon Clan learn about Kokujin,
they also find
out more about themselves. This leads them to more questions
about their origins and
of Togashi's true nature.
Dark secrets are revealed and the distinction between good and
evil is fading. Can evil
acts ever be justified "for the good of the empire"?
What price survival? Do the mystic
tattoos enslave one's thoughts or do they open one's eyes to
the truth? In the past, these
questions have been left open to one's interpretation. The Enlightened
Madness series
is different in that it reveals specific details that up until
now has just been speculation.
Is Kokujin a madman or are we mad not to see things from his
point of view? If your
image of the world was suddenly revealed to be totally false
what would you do? If you
found out that all your beliefs were due to someone's manipulation
would you go mad?
The Kolat were portrayed as evil but what if they were right?
What if the Kami were not benevalent benafactors of man but instead
were predators
and opportunists, using man to further their own goals and perhaps
even consuming
them as food?
Perhaps Kokujin is right, that immortality of a sort can be obtained
... for a price.
Whether or not you agree with his methods, he has learned how
to survive in hostile
environments.
Who is Kokujin? The Enlightened Madness series
may reveal some clues:
Part I - "The blood of immortals runs
in our veins. Mortals are beneath us. They live
only for our amusement." - Kokujin
Part I - "Truth," the ise zumi mused. "To live
a lie for the truth. What a wonderful life!
Tell me, Togashi-san, where does one become the other? When does
the lie end and
the truth begin? Is there any difference, really?" - Kokujin
Part I - "The madness is the enlightenment! You say
that I have seen too much. I have
not seen enough! What other secrets are out there?" - Kokujin
Part I - "I carry Fu Leng's blessings
as well Togashi's," Kokujin said with a nod, "I
would collect the blessings of the other Kami as well, but they
feared me so much t
hey fled the mortal realm." - Kokujin
Part I - "We found Kokujin on the Plains
Above Evil. He was waiting for us with two
hundred bakemono. He had carved his designs upon them, the tattoos
he uses to control
the weak." - Kaelung
Part I - "We were prepared. We
had taken every precaution. It amounted to nothing.
Kokujin was ready. This is a game to him, and so long as we follow
the rules he
makes we cannot win.
We need help. We should turn to the Hida, the Hiruma, the Daidoji.
We must find
allies who know how to battle the Taint. If we continue fighting
alone out of stubborn
pride he will continue to destroy us." - Kaelung
Part II - "It was not Hitomi who killed
your family, it was the madness that Kokujin
bestowed upon her. The murderer still lives, and he carries the
daisho of your Kami,
of the god who gave you your tattoos." - Kaelung
Part II - "I know only that my Kami commanded
me to lead Hitomi to her destiny and
that destiny led her to murder my family and embrace a madman
and led Togashi to his
death. When I see Lady Moon shining in the Heavens, I know that
all came to pass, as
it must have. I am only left wondering why? You ask for truth,
Kaelung, but I do not
think that there is any" - Mitsu
Part II - "I know that whatever you saw
last time caused you to leave the Dragon, to
hunt him on your own or perhaps with questionable allies."
- Mitsu
Part II - "You know, don't you?"
Mitsu asked. "You know the truth about Kokujin."
Part II - "Why sully Togashi's swords,
when I can make my own?" - Kokujin
Part III - "Togashi used me. So did Hitomi.
I used them in return. Now they are gone
and I am not."- Kokujin
Part III - "I am a Dragon, Satsu. We
are more alike than you know, and I find I miss
the Dragon as they once were. Without the wisdom of a true god
to guide you, the
Dragon Clan is a pale shadow of itself. The mystery is gone.
The riddle is no more."
- Kokujin
Part III - Togashi and Hitomi were both very
powerful, but their power was tempered
by suffering. It gave them focus, gave them perspective. If you
are to take back your
grandfather's swords, then you must suffer as well, Satsu."
- Kokujin
Part IV - "You forget that I am a Dragon
too, so not all that I say is as it appears.
You think that my objective here was to force you to condemn
a friend and watch
him die. No. My goal was for you to condemn a friend and watch
him live. Now
every time you look into Hitomi Hogai's eyes you will remember
how you damned
him." - Kokujin
Part V - His power outlives him," Hoshi
said. "The boy shows all the signs. He has
great power, Mitsu. He is tamashii.
Part V - "As you know, my father was
one of the original Kami, the gods who
fell from the Heavens and founded the Empire. When the Kami fell,
their father
Onnotangu cursed them. When they touched the earth, they were
bound to it.
They would grow old and die like mortals before they saw the
Celestial Heavens
again." - Hoshi
Part V - "My father had the gift of foresight,
and he knew that one day his wisdom
would be required to save the Empire. He lived on, but not as
himself. He borrowed
a page from his brother, Shiba." - Hoshi
Part V - "He learned to reincarnate himself,"
- Mitsu
Part V - "Shiba's soul could live in
peace in the same body as another, becoming
part of that person. But Togashi was not Shiba, and he could
not do what Shiba
had done. Each time he passed to a new vessel, the former soul
was consumed.
Usually the vessel was so wracked by the process that Togashi
immediately died
again. The first time my father died, it took him twenty tries
before he could find
a host strong enough to bear his spirit." - Hoshi
Part V - "Togashi came to understand
that only special mortals could contain his
essence, those with extraordinary self-control. Togashi called
these individuals
tamashii, the "souls" of the Dragon Clan. The ise zumi
tattoos were, in a manner
of speaking, a test for his followers. Those who exhibited the
greatest control of
the tattoos were the same people with the discipline and willpower
to serve as
future vessels. Whenever such an individual arose, Togashi told
them the secret
of the tamashii and offered them the chance to become the future
Dragon
Champion. Mitsu was the last tamashii to bear the Togashi name."
- Hoshi
Part V - "Togashi died before I could
fultill my destiny," Mitsu said. "Hitomi killed him."
Part V - "It was an easy secret
to keep," Hoshi said. "The ability to contain the
essence of an immortal is very rare. Sometimes only one ise zumi
per generation
is found with such a gift, and very rare was the tamashii who
did not willingly
sacrificing their existence so that Togashi would live on. My
father took their
names not only to disguise his presence in the Empire, but to
honor the men and
women who had given him a chance to live."
Part V - "Togashi is dead. There is no
more need for the tamashii." - Mitsu
Part V - "Just because my father does
not need Matsuo does not mean the Empire
does not," Hoshi said. "We cannot teach him, Mitsu.
We do not understand him.
He will never reach his true potential unless you are the one
to guide him."
Part V - father once said that you had a great
destiny, Mitsu-san," Hoshi said. "You are
the one who assumed it would be to die for him. Perhaps he meant
for you to live for
him. Do not turn your back on us, old friend. Do not turn your
back on Matsuo."
Part V - And what should I do if I discover
that you are a fool?" - Mitsu
Part V - "We must act swiftly,"
Mitsu said. "The Anvil uses souls to power its
nemuranai, but any person chained to the Anvil must die or the
product will be
ruined. If we can save his prisoners before he completes his
work, then there is
still hope."
Part V - "You say that you know no master,"
she said, seeming to draw strength
from the words. "You lie. Pain and darkness are your masters
You serve them
because you fear thelight Love burdens you and hope always betrays
you."
- Chieko
Part V - "No," Satsu snapped. "That
is why you no longer desire my grandfather's
swords because you can no longer stand to hear his voice. You
can no longer stand
the burden of hope You are what you are not because you are your
own master but
because to be anything better would be too much effort. You are
a slave to your
own madness."
Part V -"You shall see. My crimes may
seem great now, but in time you may
understand." He looked up at Satsu with a faint grin. "I
do not ask for forgiveness.
Only understanding."
Part VI - "The First Oni was the most
powerful of all demons," Haru said. "He
marched at the vanguard of the Dark Kami's army. His power was
said to be limitless.
He could alter his form at will, becoming great or small as the
need arose. His blood
corrupted the earth wherever it fell. No weapon could harm him,
no warrior could
overcome him, save one blessed with the power of the Celestial
Heavens."
Part VI - "Shiba and the First Oni left
one another mortally wounded. The demon came
here, where it was born, to die deep within the earth."
- Haru
Part VI - "I think that the First Oni
carried the true name of Fu Leng," the stranger said,
"the name that no mortal can ever know. That is why he is
merely called the 'First Oni,'
for his true name cannot be spoken. That is why he was so powerful,
for his power was
drawn from Fu Leng's boundless might. That is why he has never
returned to the mortal
realm, because his master is also bound beyond this realm as
well."
- sohei from the Temple of Osano-Wo
Part VI - "The truth is the truth and
it cannot be changed," Kokujin said, holding up his
katana to study it in the light of the fire pit again. "I
am a tamashii, heir to the Dragon
Champion. That was why Mitsu feared to face me. That was why
Hitomi sought my
help. Who would know how best to bear the burden of divine power
but Kokujin?"
Part VI - "That is what I have always
hated about the Dragon Clan," Kokujin said with
a sigh. "You lie even to yourselves. Wrapped in so many
secrets, is it any wonder that
you have such difficulty fulfilling your potential, Satsu? I
have mastered the power of
two gods. In me, Fu Leng's corruption and Togashi's enlightenment
find balance. I am
my own master, poised to elevate myself to a level of power you
cannot begin to
understand. You cannot even keep yourself out of chains. I find
it sad."
Part VI - "Kokujin studied the sinister
black katana he had forged with a satisfied smile.
He lifted the matching wakizashi from where it lay nearby and
circled around to the front
of the anvil. He held both hands in a loose Niten stance and
looked down at Chieko."
"Two swords, forged with the divine blood of countless Togashi
and the black blood of
the Twilight Mountains. I wield Heaven and Hell in my hands.
Now tell me the name,
and our pact shall be sealed."
Part VI - "What is it that I have always
said, Kobai?" Kokujin asked.
"Never assume the enemy is dead," Kobai replied. "Until
you have devoured their heart."
Part VI - "Kokujin has given them the
power of the crescent moon," Kaelung shouted.
Part VI - "Grandfather," Satsu whispered...."
"I am here," replied a deep voice, echoing with the
wisdom of eternity.
Part VI - "Those who you love will die.
This cannot be changed," Togashi said. "It falls
to you to be certain that their deaths are not in vain."
Part VI - "I never saw the future, Satsu.
Not in the way that you mean. I saw only patterns of
the past as they built to inevitable conclusions, reflected through
countless ages of experience.
The only destiny that I could not predict was my own. It is impossible
for any creature, mortal
or immortal, to see his own fate clearly." - Togashi
Part VI - "So is that why you so seldom
came down from your mountain? Because every
time you interfered, the future became your own." - Satsu
Part VI - "You are everything that I
was and more," Togashi said, "We are one."
Part VI - "After the Day of Thunder,
your father became Hitomi's greatest enemy,.. Do you
not think it strange that he led the Dragon back to her side?
It was you that changed all of
this, Satsu. On the day you were born, your mother would have
died, as would you have. I
led Hitomi to your mother's side. All that was left of my soul,
lingering within Hitomi,
passed on to be reborn in you. You gained the strength to survive,
strength that you shared
with your mother. That is our power, Satsu. The power to alter
destiny." - Togashi
Part VI - "I never said that,.. You are
Satsu, son of Hoshi. We are two beings, yet we live
on in one soul. We are both mortal and immortal, both divine
and human. I have lived in
the corners of your soul, walked through your memories, passed
through your dreams.
You are a wise and noble man, Satsu. You bring honor to my name.
You are my true heir."
- Togashi
Part VI - "What is about to happen?"
Satsu asked urgently. "What is Kokujin's plan?"
"Is it not clear?" Togashi answered. "He intends
to become a god."
Part VI - "Togashi Mitsu," Kokujin
said in an excited voice. "Meet the First Oni."
Part VII - "Take Chieko from here, Matsuo,
as swiftly as you can. Fail, and Kokujin triumphs."
- Togashi Satsu
Part VII - "I thought you were once a
Crab, Hogai," Satsu said.
"I only killed oni," Hogai replied. "I
left studying them to the Kuni."
Part VII - "Oni do not truly exist in
the mortal realm," he explained. "They can exist only
in the more abstract Spirit Realms, such as Tengoku and Jigoku.
Those that steal or are
given the name of an inhabitant of the mortal realm can create
spawn, lesser versions of
themselves, to wreak havoc in this realm. This demon carries
Fu Leng's name. His blood
is poison. His touch melts flesh and bone. He is unstoppable."
- Satsu
Part VII - "The true First Oni marches
with Fu Leng's army against the forces of Heaven.
It would not come here even if it could. Even so, its spawn is
deadly enough. After Fu Leng
was banished eleven centuries ago, the First Oni was too weak
to send its spawn into this
realm. \Each time it tried, the Shakoki Dogu fought it back.
For over a thousand years there
has been a balance between the demon and the spirit of the mountains,
preventing either from
overcoming the other. Now that has changed Kokujin has used the
Anvil of Despair to give
the demon a feast of blood and death and pave its resurrection."
- Satsu
Part VII - "Do not underestimate Kokujin,"
Satsu replied. "As mad as he may be, he does not
act with out a plan. It was Kokujin's destiny, long ago, to become
a vessel for the power of a god.
Perhaps he plans to fulfill that destiny yet, but on his own
terms."
Part VII - "My grandfather is with us,"
Satsu replied, or seemed to. As soon as he spoke, the
words left Hogai's mind, leaving only impressions of what was
said. "His wisdom and his
power wax and wane with need, but our need has seldom been greater."
Part VII - "Our war is done, Mitsu. Togashi
would not stop me. Hitomi could not stop me.
Hoshi did not care, and Satsu was too weak. I have won. The Dragon
Clan is defeated."
- Kokujin
Part VII - "You claim the power of heaven
cannot help mortals," Satsu roared defiantly.
"Are you so confident now, Kokujin?"
Part VII - "I must not die," Chieko
whispered. "I must not die"
Part VII - "But with the Shakoki Dogu,
I will remain free," she said. "Perhaps if I am
even a bit free, I can bring some peace to the souls entirely
trapped in Kokujin's swords
Perhaps one day they can be free." - Chieko
Part VII - "You have done well, Matsuo,"
she whispered. "Now there may yet be hope"
- Chieko
Part VII - "Swallow your pride, Rosanjin!
This is no way for a samurai to die!" Kaelung snapped
Part VII - "It is a Togashi's duty to
see what cannot be seen, to believe in the impossible.
It is a Mirumoto's duty to drag you back to reality when you
are wrong." - Rosanjin
Part VII - Mitsu?" Satsu replied. "He
is a legend among legends. If he has died today,
he has died as a hero. If he has not, then who can say when we
will see him again?
Even with Togashi's guidance, I cannot say for sure."
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