Epilogue
When Saburo awoke from his blissful reverie, he was certain that he would find his ancestors waiting for him. He was very glad that it was not the case. After the destruction of the gem, Doushi’s sway over the town ended along with the mysterious headaches and nightmares people were having. The Prefect made a quick political move to bolster the village’s morale by honoring Yatsen, Saburo, and Akira as equals to Kamigishu. They would each be placed at the head table alongside the Prefect’s family during the Festival of Liberation, which was only a few days off. He also proclaimed that from henceforth only Ichiro’s family would provide sake for the event and that Goto’s line would be forever considered the guardians of safety for the village. Akira would also have an honored place that would be equal to even Ide Yuske.
Saburo was very pleased with this outcome and was hoping to sit on his laurels until the Festival. That was the plan anyway until Yatsen and Akira personally summoned him to go see Utsuge. He had hoped to avoid that task entirely but like the other two men he knew he had no choice. Both Akira and Yatsen were dressed formally for the occasion and so Saburo knew that he must also follow suit. He now wore the wakazashi that Yatsen originally wielded; given to him for his valor at the Wyrmcall. The men said nothing to one another as they approached the ruins of the Old Town. They had traveled the path before and knew exactly where to look among the rubble. Utsuge’s hut was clearly visible this time as smoke poured from the roof. The gnarled old woman awaited them outside, a black bundle of cloth tucked under her right arm.
She ushered them inside, guiding each man to sit around the fire pit that spewed forth an almost nauseating smoke. The entire room was hazy; Saburo could barely make out Yatsen across the pit.
“Forgive me Utsuge for my impertinence, but why is it that you have summoned all three of us here,” Akira finally asked.
“We must complete the ritual that began when you set off on your quest,” the old woman answered. “Destiny has revealed itself to me. This will complete what inevitably will be. Now you must concentrate. Close your eyes and empty your mind of all thought. Focus on the Void.”
The three men did as instructed. Saburo could sense Utsuge right beside him, kneeling down before the pit. He thought he heard a thud as something heavy struck the bottom.
“I want you to know that you have all proven yourselves worth to be part of the Kamigishu legend. They would all be proud of their descendents on this day.”
Saburo thought he heard her last sentence said almost with anguish, but he shook it from his mind. He heard Utusuge’s footfalls leave the hut and felt a breeze blow through the room. Interestingly enough it wasn’t immediately stifled. In fact the breeze intensified into a strong wind that stung his face. Is this a test? Saburo focused harder. The wind howled all around him. Soon it began difficult even to maintain his seated position, forcing him to open his eyes to stabilize himself. What he saw horrified him. In his concentration he had not noticed the power of the vortex that had engulfed the hut. Its force had torn the roof asunder and was propelling the debris all around them. The source was a large clear ball with a glowing green seven-pointed star etched in its center. The vortex climbed almost fifty feet in the air to end in a black swirling gateway. He could see that both Akira and Yatsen were trying to hold onto anything to keep from being sucked up into the air. Utsuge watched from a safe distance, her eyes betraying her feelings of sorrow. Finally, it became too much for any of the three men and they all were torn from the earth and thrown up into the air towards the waiting black gateway. Just before he was consumed by the swirling black void, Saburo thought he saw Utsuge mouth “I’m sorry.”
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A voice called to him. It was unlike Doushi’s voice. Not commanding and arrogant, but calm and soothing.
Saburo. Awake. I have done all I can for you. Now it is you who must find a way.
He was so cold, but felt detached from the pain. As if he was looking back upon his own suffering.
Do not fear. I have taught you the trade language of the new world. It is unlike yours; everything will seem strange to you. Adapt. Learn. Look for the signs. Whilst you take this journey look forward to the path ahead, but never forget to look back to remind yourself of who you are. My the ancestors be with you.
He was falling. The soul numbing cold was gone, replaced by overwhelming warmth. He looked up. A sea of azure blue engulfed him and towards the Heavens rested an emerald green sky. Strange, I've never seen... The sky seemed to draw nearer. Faster now. Oh no. The ground rushed up to meet him.
END OF PROLOGUE
Next Time: Shackled City
