Arc 4, Session 23, L5R

Private Records of Asako Rekai, April ^11th, 1119

 

The interlopers were outnumbered. Of this there was no doubt. Yet they charged forth regardless, determined to fell the witch. 

 

Isawa Jun'Ai had spent her time well, fortifying every inch of her lair. The first monster to make itself known was familiar: another Omukade. Alongside it were figures of flame in human shape. Battle was joined, & the song of steel was unignorable by all within earshot. This drew more of the defenders to the frontlines.

 

Soon, elemental spirits of wind & water moved to flank the samurai. The Scorpion made what must have been a heartfelt plea, calling to the lives sacrificed to create the beings. I was amazed to see them hold in response. The others took advantage of this brief window to focus on putting down the centipede & flames.

 

It was not long before the water & wind kami fell back under Isawa Jun'Ai's sway. Fureshehu Garou suddenly grappled with the living twister, working with the elder Lion to save the Scorpion. The Unicorn & Mantis engaged another pair of Onamazu, while the Lion student faced another Kyorinrin. The Crab moved to aid against the paper dragon, only to freeze for a breath.

 

Just past their current arena lay the entrance to Isawa Jun'Ai's chamber. Guarding it was a band of goblins & ogres, the dregs leftover from the samurai's earlier raid. Their weapons were readied as they began to trudge towards the battle. If they were to swarm the group, it could give the yokai the edge they needed to deal out death.

 

And so, head down, he charged alone into the advancing wall of devils.

 

While he acted as the Wall in miniature, the Lion teacher was able to vanquish the remaining spirits. His student staggered in place as she seemed to fall under the Kyorinrin's illusion spells. Seeing this, both the Unicorn & Crane moved to her aid.

 

The archer nocked multiple arrows to her bow, loosing them to shred the paper dragon. The beast had only a second to realize it had been torn; before it could compel the Lion student to turn on her allies, the Crane split the tattered remains in twain.

 

By the water, the Tortoise called out strategic weak points to his allies, occasionally firing an arrow of his own into the mix. Behind him, the young Centipede granted the Sun's blessings where she could. Fighting as if she had something to prove, the Mantis actually leapt atop one of the monstrous catfish in their roiling pond, driving her katana through its skull.

 

When the rest of the of the yokai had been slain, the samurai rushed to the aid of their Crab brethren. He had successfully been holding back a storm, acting as an impassable bottleneck. Still, even his armor could take so much. With the full party reassembled, the final few Bakemono were put down like the vermin they are.

 

All that remained was the locus around which this chaos had formed. Isawa Jun'Ai stood atop a small pyramid. Surrounding her were a final trio of elemental spirits: air, fire, & water dancing to her strings. The room's floor was strewn with jagged, stone spikes, making each step a fight on its own. The samurai took only the briefest of moments to catch their breath before rushing towards the witch.

 

Here, the spirits fought differently, guided by their master's malevolent wit. The wind spirit formed a tunnel of wind, drawing the Crane towards it at high speeds. Whether it was a lack of breath or the force at which she slammed into the pyramid, she fell to the ground in a heap.

 

Gouts of both flame & water  hemmed in those that still stood, forcing them to navigate the dangerous terrain. The Lion duo fought back against the raging fire, as the Crab bludgeoned his way into the walking waves. The Tortoise & Unicorn supported both of these assaults at range- until, suddenly, the air kami surged across the space. Its razor winds slashed into the Unicorn, forcing her into melee.

 

I lost track of the Scorpion once again during this fraught moments. The Badger was lumbering his tedious way towards the fight, while the Mantis joined the Crab in quelling the water kami. Every other heartbeat, I could see flashes of light from the Centipede's hands as she desperately buffed the warriors around her. By the time the water kami was dispersed, the Mantis had joined the Crane on the floor. The Lion student held back the burning spirit so her teacher could advance on the witch.

 

Both the Crab & Lion elder managed to get within range of Isawa Jun'Ai. Their combined blows staggered her heavily as blood spluttered through her lips. Yet...here I must acknowledge the possibilities of her expertise. Not only had she mastered the art of converting the living into elemental beings, she had evidently discovered how to use those same beings to prolong her own life.

 

With the sound of countless sighs, the air kami exploded. All of its energy streamed directly into Isawa Jun'Ai's heart, reviving her enough to rejoin the fight. She directed the two remaining spirits in a defiant dance of arcane gestures. It was clear she could feel the hammer bearing down on her: where before she had been composed, now her face was a mask of offended rage.

 

At her command, the water spirit moved to envelop some of the samurai's heads. How long could they hold their breaths? Before this could be truly tested, the unseen stinger struck. Appearing as if from nowhere, the Scorpion stabbed her wakizashi straight into Isawa Jun'Ai's chest.

 

Two things then happened simultaneously: the water kami was struck down by the Lion student, while the fire kami went the way of its air kindred. A shrill cry of fury erupted from the witch. Despite the blade embedded in her chest- & the Scorpion clinging to it- she summoned forth another dread invocation.

 

Geysers of fiery death exploded from her hands. They streamed several of the bushi still able to fight, indiscriminately cutting them down. The Lion elder collapsed under the assault, while the already-fallen samurai ignited. The Scorpion, closest to Isawa Jun'Ai, suffered the worst. Her entire being became wreathed in gluttonous fire. Somehow, despite this, her grip remained as iron on her wakizashi's hilt as she fell to her knees.

 

Metallic clinking sounds rang out as the explosion faded. Two chain-swords were pulled from the witch's belt, both cutting the air like spinning tops. Though many of their allies were on the verge of death, the Unicorn & Crab knew that things could only truly end once their enemy had been killed. The two of them launched attack after attack at her, keeping her focus off of their unconscious friends.

 

With this final stand underway, it fell to the Tortoise, Centipede, & the younger Lion to quench the flames consuming the others. Heedless of the danger to themselves, the three beat back at the infernos with blankets & dirt. They had just begun to succeed against the elements when an arrow pierced Isawa Jun'Ai's throat.

 

Light burned in her eyes as she failed to choke out any curses on her killers. Still, she had one card still left to play. All of the fire littering the ground enveloped her. The air around her flickered with an aura powered by her flagging spirit. Breathlessly, soundlessly, she mouthed her final words...causing the flames limning her form to explode.

 

The Tortoise & his cohorts were able to shield the Lion & Scorpion from this final gambit, but the Mantis & Crane had no such protectors. Both of their bodies lit one more time, as if racing to see who would die first. The Unicorn's heart overrode her fist at this sight. She dropped her bow as she rushed to their aid.

 

Leaving only one combatant.

 

With the hardiness of his people, the Crab had weathered even this onslaught, his tetsubo braced in the earth before him. Behind him were the roars of flame, the anxious voices crying out for their allies to cling to life just one second more. Before him, he saw but one thing: a nail.

 

His entire form tensed as he swung his club down & to the side. It arced up, over his shoulder- seeming to hold in place for a beat- then came thundering down on the witch's head. She let out no last breath. Her body simply crumpled to the ground, her neck lying at a sickening angle. 

 

The cutting of her thread had an immediate effect, causing all of her magic fire to sputter out. Thankfully, the Scorpion & Lion teacher had avoided any lethal injury due to the Tortoise's efforts. The Unicorn stood torn between the two dying samurai. She looked at the Mantis with a heartbroken expression...before moving to revive the Crane. 

 

Wavering on their feet, the wounded congregated around their fading allies. The Crane looked as if but a shred of life remained in her form. The Unicorn offered a whispered prayer to the fortunes as she was joined by the Tortoise & the younger Lion. It was dire. It was impossible. It was...a miracle. The duelist took a gasping breath as her wounds were bandaged, as surprised to return alive as the others were to see it happen. 

 

This came at a cost, as do all things. With effort devoted to the most ailing patient, there was less that could be spent on the other. The Tortoise's pockets ran empty of supplies as the Unicorn's fingers fumbled each attempt to help. Devastation was writ large upon her face. Was it this that spurred the Centipede? Or simply an innocent, naive wish for none to die if she could prevent it? We will never know.

 

Moshi Kasai's hands let out a soft glow that soon spread to eclipse her from view. All that could be seen was a gentle palm laid on the Mantis' forehead. A flash- blinding, but not painfully so- of warmth & light emanated from the Centipede. It faded slowly, like the Sun's last, lingering glimpse as it sets.

 

When this passed, it revealed the Mantis breathing weakly, her wounds mostly healed. Beside her lay the unmoving body of the Centipede, a faint smile her final missive to the world. 

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The power of my scrying scroll faded shortly thereafter. With no magical means of surveillance left to me, & no more peasants to bribe, I cannot here claim to know the fine details of what followed the survivor's victory.

 

At a distance, I could see them bring the Centipede's shrouded body to the mountaintop. They sent her to meet Mother Amaterasu in the fashion of her people. I saw several conversations- in groups & privately- upon their return to the cave mouth. Their contents I cannot glean. 

 

I saw the Tengu & Zokujin join their fire at night. The three remaining "copper goblins" wore expressions of awe & confusion. With the world now open to them, who can say what they would choose to do? I remain surprised at the level of empathy the interlopers have shown for these creatures. Surprised, but...pleased. Enough of their race has suffered at mortal hands.

 

The threat of Isawa Jun'Ai had been ended. When the samurai leave on the morrow, I will ensure anything remaining is rendered to ash. Then I shall activate the shikigami above the entrance to Orakamono no rōgoku.

The door can be closed upon this dark chapter at long last. Thanks to this strange, motley assortment of samurai. I have been thoroughly impressed by their efforts. If the Elemental Masters should agree with the assessments I have rendered here, I should like to petition for our doors to be opened somewhat to the wider world. Politics & greed do much to divide us, but it is our combined strength that keeps Rokugan strong. 

 

I am glad to have been reminded of that fact, here amongst Yama no Kuyami.