Doom of an empire part 5 : le Phénix.

[Komori Gusai]

The Doom of an Empire, Part Five - Kotei story beginning 4/30

Rokugan was a land of strict traditions. Samurai followed the pattern set by their ancestors - was it any wonder that history and destiny sometimes followed similar patterns? Rosoku, the descendant of Shinsei, had realised a startling truth. The Prophecies of Uikku had not yet come to pass. As he read each Doom, he saw them now not as visions of the future, but as almost living things. How long had the Dooms crept at the edge of consciousness, waiting to inflict themselves upon as unsuspecting Empire? Perhaps when they had not come to pass during the Clan War they merely retreated, waiting to spring forth once more.
He read on...

The Fourth Doom
"The Tao of Shinsei is no guard against darkness. It is their pride that will blind the Phoenix to their downfall"

Much like the Lion's Doom, this one also seemed like the sort that would be impossible to predict or to realise until it had come to pass. The Phoenix were a fircely proud people, and often stumbled due to their arrogance. Could he even protect them, considering that the Doom itself said that Shinsei's wisdom would be powerless to save them?
But what if this Doom meant something more? Two of the Emperor's own brothers now stood among the Phoenix Clan. Kaneka and Sezaru were both proud men. Perhaps now safeguarding their destinies this Doom, at least, might be averted? And with these brave souls as examples, how could any Phoenix fail?
It was a dim sense of hope, but better than nothing. Rosoku read on.