La Voix De Rokugan

Hello there everyone...

What is attached is the first part of the GenCon story, the climax of the Four Winds Story Arc.

A new part of this story will be sent out to your sites and posted on the Alderac site every day between now and the GenCon finals.

So now, without further ado, Fight For Tomorrow, Part One.

Rich Wulf
L5R Story Team


The Fortune of Stone slid from the end of Fu Leng’s spear with a confused, pained expression. He reached toward the Dark Kami with one hand, perhaps seeking mercy, perhaps for some final attack. Fu Leng grasped the Fortune’s wrist gently with his free hand, gazing down with a thoughtful eye as he watched the minor god die. All around them, the sounds of battle raged against Tengoku’s sparkling firmament. Demonic ashura soared through the skies, leaving plumes of black fire as the leapt into combat with majestic fushicho phoenix-warriors. Unspeakable oni lurched across the celestial landscape, tearing apart the spirits who had gathered to defend the most holy of realms.

“Why?” the Fortune of Stone croaked as he fell to one knee.
“Because this is my home,” Fu Leng replied, releasing the Fortune’s wrist. The dying god collapsed with a soft thud, hardly an end befitting a supposed immortal. Fu Leng paused, kneeling beside the fallen Fortune. He dipped two fingers in the rapidly spreading pool of blood and looked at their tips, marveling that a god died so much like a human did. He brushed his fingers gently across his porcelain mask, just across each cheek, and looked toward the heart of the battle.

There, he could see many former heroes of the Empire now locked in combat with his fiercest demons. The Maw battled Hoshi, the half-dragon. The blazing visage of Lord Yakamo, the Sun, was locked in combat with Yakamo no Oni, his dark opposite number. Bishamon, Fortune of Strength, slashed Akuma no Oni with his brilliant silver spear.

In all of this, Fu Leng did not see the elemental dragons, the creatures of pure magic who acted as the custodians of balance. No doubt they were preparing some final gambit against him; he was prepared for them as well. He envied the oni and the Fortunes; though they may all die today, here in the blood-drenched heavens, at least each of them knew their place while he, child of the gods, cursed by all the hells, banished from the mortal realm - had nothing. Nothing save power.

And that was all that mattered.

He could feel the dark magics seethe within him, energy supplied by his worshippers in the City of the Lost. How strange mortals were. So feeble, so temporary, so easily dealt with, yet they had such incredible potential. Twice, mortals had defeated him and now mortals were the key to his freedom. So long as the Lost believed in him, their faith fueled his unholy might. No other god could stand against him, none understood both heaven and hell as well as Fu Leng.

He could do what he wished here.

He could destroy every Fortune, every dragon, and leave the Celestial Order a ruined husk. The cosmos would crumble and he, too, would die. But he would have his vengeance, and that would satisfy him.
He could destroy the Sun and Moon and seize the Heavens for himself, then turn his wrath upon the mortal realm, granting glorious revenge to those who believed in him.

He could claim his place in Tengoku, carve out his own domain, and spare the lives of the gods. There would be a certain satisfaction in allowing them to live, maintaining a fragile balance here as the mortals did with the Shadowlands. He would take joy in knowing they could do nothing to remove him.

The possibilities were limitless, but hung upon so frail a thread.

He could sense the City of the Lost, girding their defenses in the mortal realm below. He wished he could aid them, but he knew he could do little. He could no more aid them directly than a man could lift himself into the air with his own hands. For him to act too openly would destroy their faith, undermine the very power they provided him. But that did not mean he was powerless.

Fu Leng smiled. If the mortals sought to destroy his temple, they would not find it so easy…

La Suite

Fight For Tomorrow, Part Two

Toturi Tsudao marched through the halls of Kyuden Seppun, helmet clutched beneath one arm. Her face was stained with dust and sweat from travel. Her expression was grim, dark lines of exhaustion beneath her eyes. Beside her, Bayushi Paneki and Kitsu Dejiko followed silently. Both were as exhausted as she after their long ride from the Shinomen, but neither would voice any complaint before their commander.
Servants rushed ahead to announce Tsudao’s arrival, though they could scarcely move more quickly than the Sword. Seppun Guardsmen stood at attention, watching Tsudao with alert expressions. It was subtle, but she could tell that something in their stance and demeanor had changed.
“No one is speaking to us,” Dejiko said quietly as they passed through the halls. “Nothing but the briefest greeting. They do not wish to tell us something.”
“Shoin summoned us,” Tsudao replied. “I am sure he will tell us what is happening.”
“Of course,” Paneki said dryly. “He was so forthcoming in his first message.”
Tsudao did not reply to Paneki’s sarcasm; he only reflected her own doubts. She had come to realize during the last two years that Paneki’s cynicism invariably touched on concerns she could not express herself. He was a sinister man, at times, but a valuable ally. They reached the doors of the throne room and a small man in fine brown robes stepped forward to meet her. He bowed deeply.
“Konnichiwa, Lady Tsudao,” Shoin said cordially. “I am greatly pleased that you were able to respond to my message so swiftly.”
“You will refer to the Empress as Her Highness or Toturi-sama,” Paneki said tonelessly, drawing a startled look from Shoin.
“You said there was an emergency,” Tsudao said. “My command staff and a squadron of my best troops are here now. The rest of the First Legion will arrive within two days. I have gone to great trouble to respond to your warning with very little information regarding the nature of the crisis, Shoin-san. Now what is the matter?”
“Follow me,” Shoin said, “and you shall see why I could not tell you more.” He opened the doors to the throne room and entered.
Tsudao and the others followed.
The Steel Throne was much as Tsudao had left it, save now a small, haggard woman sat upon it. She wore robes of burnt orange, hanging loose over her frail, stick-like body. Her long hair fell in waves over her shoulders, black now streaked with white. Tsudao did not recognize the woman until she raised her head, gazing upon the Sword with eyes of pure, depthless black. Dejiko and Paneki recognized her as well, and both fell prostrate upon the floor.
“Mother!” Tsudao cried in a choked voice. She ran toward the throne, casting her helmet away with a clang. She charged up the dais toward the throne and fell to her knees beside the throne, clasping her mother’s hand with both of hers as tears streamed down her face. “Mother, you have returned!”
Toturi Kaede looked down at her child with a wan smile. “Tsudao-chan,” she whispered. “I am pleased to see you.”
“Mother, you look ill,” Tsudao said, looking up at her mother in concern.
“The Celestial Order is in disharmony,” Kaede replied. “The time of the Oracles will soon be over. I have returned only to name my successor, as your father willed. You must gather your brothers.”
Tsudao’s face fell in disappointment. “One of them is to be Emperor,” Tsudao replied in a resigned voice. “Not me.”
“Outrageous!” Dejiko said, rising and stepping forward to face Kaede. “None of the Four Winds deserves to rule as much as the Sword. Her brothers have done nothing but bicker, brood, and scurry about in the shadows. She defeated the Tsuno in the heart of the Shinomen. She drove the Dark Lord from the city in defeat. None are as worthy as she!”
Tsudao stood, looking down at her mother with a determined expression. She glared at Dejiko to be silent, but did not argue with her.
“Have a care, Tsudao,” Kaede said in a sad voice. “Pride is a terrible sin. It was my pride, my wish to serve a role I could not fulfill, that caused such disharmony in the Celestial Order.”
“This is why the guards did not wish to speak to me,” Tsudao said grimly. “They no longer see me as Empress.” Her eyes scanned the throne room, seeking each of the Imperial Guardsmen who had sworn fealty to her only months ago. They all looked away.
“So who, then?” Dejiko said. “Who will rule Rokugan?”
“That choice cannot be made yet,” Kaede replied. “The Four Winds must gather, and they must face the Dark Lord. Each of you holds a key to his defeat, but if Daigotsu knows which of you is to be Emperor, then surely that Wind will die. Such a victory would assure Fu Leng’s reign in heaven forever. Your Legionnaires can gather your brothers, bring them here, convince them to work with one another.”
“Oracle Kaede,” Paneki said in a cool voice. “I call upon your powers of prophecy to answer my question, as is the right of all mortals.” The Scorpion looked up at the Empress with a frown, waiting until she replied with a nod. “If Tsudao were to simply take the throne back from you, continue as Empress, and marshal the Empire’s armies against Daigotsu, what would happen?”
The room fell silent, and a sad expression crossed Kaede’s face as the Void Dragon’s wisdom filled her mind. “Instead of four, millions would risk their lives. A great war would follow. Rokugan would be changed forever, but even if Fu Leng were not defeated, Tsudao would rule long and be respected as a strong Emperor, if not a wise one.”
“So it falls to me, then,” Tsudao said. “To choose between my life and my throne, or the lives of those who follow me.”
Kaede nodded.
Tsudao bowed her head, and for a long moment her expression was torn. One hand trailed to the amulet she wore about her throat, the golden sunburst a Moshi priestess had given her long ago. When she looked up again, her eyes were clear of doubt.
“What must I do, Empress?” Tsudao asked her mother.[/i]

C'était obligé, il fallait le retour d'un phoenix pour calmer les mioches... Ceci dit Tsudao m'impressionne de faire part de tant de sagesse elle qui est si fière et impétueuse, bon ok elle a de qui tenir (de sa mère bien sur), mais bon je suis pas sur que les autres soient aussi tranquilles, surtout Kaneka...

Toturi Sezaru stood in the tallest tower of the castle that had once been the Fortress of the Dragonfly. The locals had taken to calling it Kyuden Sezaru, ever since the mighty shugenja had raised the ruined fortress from rubble in a single night. Some whispered that he had raised the castle as a show of his power, to show his displeasure for the Lion who had massacred the Dragonfly, or to bring peace between the Dragon and the Phoenix. Sezaru cared little what they thought, or what they wished to name his castle. He stood in the spires of Kyuden Sezaru and listened to the mournful songs of the dead. He could hear the ghosts of the Dragonfly Clan. He could not choose to ignore them, any more than he could choose to ignore the voice that sometimes spoke within him.

Sezaru closed his eyes and sadly listened. They shared their pain with him, and he shared his in return. And, somehow, he felt better.

[[Powers greater than emperors live in the in-between places. They twine through all of our relations. All of them]]

“You said that once before,” Sezaru whispered. “Now perhaps I think I know what you mean. Every power is subject to another. Even father, even mother.”

[[Even a sad young boy with a mind too steeped in the Void, who speaks to himself when he believes no one is listening.]]

Sezaru frowned. “If I am sad because I listen to you, then what are you for listening to me?”

[[Who ever said that I listen?]]

“Mother has returned,” Sezaru said, ignoring the taunting voice as he looked to the south. “I can sense her arrival.”

[[Go to her, then. Have this not been an object of your quest? To demand why mother refused you the throne as well as avenging father’s killer?]]

“It was,” Sezaru replied, “but so much has changed. Then, I think, I desired the throne for myself. I would have taken it so that I could gain the power to restore order ot the Empire… at any cost.”

[[There is no cost too great for justice.]]

“So you say.”

[[So ignore me, then. Seek justice at your own price, without me.]]

A sad smile crossed Sezaru’s face. “Quite a trick that would be,” he replied. “For a man to ignore himself?”

[[So you have found the answer at last.]]

“I think I have always known.”

[[Then think upon this. Does not the fact that you can face your own madness give you a measure of control none of the others possess? Naseru cannot admit his bitterness. Kaneka cannot admit his arrogance. Tsudao cannot admit that she, of you all, is most afraid to step from father’s shadow. You are your own man, Toturi Sezaru. And so am I. We are one.]]

“I have too much power already.”

[[Which gives you the responsibility needed to rule.]]

Sezaru shook his head. “I do not wish for the throne.”

[[And thus you deserve it most. You know that your mother calls to you. She sends your sister to summon you. Do you fear that she will name you her successor?]]

Sezaru said nothing.

[[Do you fear Daigotsu? Do you fear he will defeat you again? As he did father?]]

Sezaru scowled.

[[Then what are we waiting for, my friend? There is justice to be done.]]

Sezaru said a brief prayer and stepped from the battlements of the castle, onto the open wind. The air spirits held him aloft, carrying him swiftly across the sky toward Kyuden Seppun.

In his chambers in Ryoko Owari, Hantei Naseru nodded sleepily. His eyes nearly closed as his brush stumbled across the thin paper. He cursed as the calligraphy was ruined and pushed the message he had been drafting aside, tucking it into a small brazier. The young Anvil sat back on his heels and rubbed his eyes in exhaustion.

“You cannot continue at this rate, sama,” Yotsu Irie said from her post near the door to his chambers. Her expression was concerned.

“Why Irie-chan,” Naseru said, looking up at her with a chuckle. “I understand it is your duty as yojimbo to look after my welfare, but you sound sincerely worried.”

“Should I not be?” she asked.

Naseru shrugged, tucking back one sleeve as he reached for a fresh sheet of paper. “I am capable of caring of myself, and most seem content to allow me to do so,” he replied. “You should not waste your concern on me.”

Irie sighed.

Naseru’s left eye flicked up, fixing on her curiously. “Is there a problem?” he asked, setting his brush down carefully.

“I would rather not speak of it,” she said, looking out the window. On the horizon, the signal fires of the Shogun’s army could be seen. “It is unseemly.”

Naseru looked at her calmly. “When we first met, Irie-chan, you planned to kill me out of vengeance for your clan’s destruction. This set a precedent for your personal opinions being directly relevant to my welfare. Now please, tell me what is on your mind.”

Irie looked at Naseru. She was not a beautiful girl, and never would be, but there was a certain confidence in her manner and bearing that intrigued Naseru. She was an honest woman, and even in a land that prided itself so much on loyalty and honor, Naseru knew how truly rare a commodity that was.

“I wish that you would not do this, Naseru-sama,” she replied.

“What do you mean?” he asked tonelessly. He set the finished document on a pile of similar sheets beside his desk.

“You know better than to tempt the Shogun’s wrath, yet you do it nonetheless. You goad him into conflict, drive him here to face you. You wish the Empire to think you have some clever plan to defeat him.”

“And what do you think that plan is?” he asked.

Irie took a deep breath. “I think that you have come to accept that the Empire views you as a villain and a manipulator,” Irie said. “I think that you no longer desire the throne, for you no longer feel you can obtain it. You hope that Kaneka will come here and destroy you. You plan to insure that your defeat discredits him so greatly that your sister will gain the throne.”

Naseru chuckled. “Ridiculous,” he replied.

“Then what are you writing?” she asked. “Documentations of your personal holdings, contracts for your personal retainers.” Irie reached into her obi, drawing out a scrap of parchment covered in Naseru’s own handwriting. “All allocated for your sister’s use upon your death.”

In his entire life, Naseru had only been struck speechless a handful of times. This was one of them. Gathering his wits, he looked down at his low desk. “You do not understand, Irie,” he said. “It is the only way. Some things are larger than any of us. Some things are worth death.”

“And some things are worth life,” Irie replied. “Such as the Empire. Even should one of the others gain the throne, you would be a fool to throw your life away for pride. The Empire needs you.”

Naseru raised an eyebrow. “I think there are precious few in this Empire who would agree with you.”

“Only because you allow them to,” she said. “Only because it is easier.”

“Easy?” Naseru said, his voice growing slightly heated. “I was to be the anvil upon which a madman would have forged a twisted new Empire. Do you think anything in my life has ever been easy?”

“Pitying yourself seems easy enough,” Irie replied.

“Watch your tongue, woman,” Naseru said. “I am still your superior.”

“Then prove it,” Irie replied. “Survive. Bring peace among your siblings and end this conflict. Forge a new Empire to do your father’s spirit proud.”

Naseru’s eye flicked out the window, toward the campfires. His fingers drummed on the table before him as he turned over a thought in his mind.

Then, slowly and deliberately, he began to gather the papers beside his desk and tear them in two.

Très sympa tout ça mais quelqu'un sait qui est cette Yotsu Irie? Quand Naseru l'a-t'il rencontré? Encore dans un des romans? Et de quel clan est-elle issue? Vu que Naseru parle de son clan détruit et qu'elle en veut à Naseru je pense qu'elle est issue du clan de la Libelulle mais comment a-t'elle alors rejoint la famille Yotsu? Merci d'avance.

Asako Keitaro a écrit :C'était obligé, il fallait le retour d'un phoenix pour calmer les mioches...

Aikune !!!! Oups pardon ca m'a echappé C'est un reflexe des que j'entend "Mioche"

Enfin c'est dommage que Naseru soit assez susceptible de mourir, car enfin un personnage qui devient interessant!

[[So ignore me, then. Seek justice at your own price, without me.]]

A sad smile crossed Sezaru’s face. “Quite a trick that would be,” he replied. “For a man to ignore himself?”

[[So you have found the answer at last.]]

Alors la je suis plié en 4, moi qui me disait qu'il allait finir par se détacher de cte voix! Mais non c'est un gros schyzo et qui l'assume!!!! Moi je dis Sezaru sur le trone on va se poiler!

Les histoires sont vraiment sympas! il est juste dommage qu'il faille attendre la fin de la gold pour qu'une histoire permette enfin de percer un peu le masque de naseru! on savait déjà (chute d'otosan uchi, émissaire de daigotsu) qu'il était honorable au sens strict du terme, dommage qu'il ne soit dit que maintenant qu'il l'est sans doute autant que tsudao!

quand a sezaru... pas mal, pas mal! monsieur 'je-traine-un-oni-avec-moi-et-j-ai-rien-vu) est donc fou et conscient de l'etre. j'avoue que les deux propositions me paraissent incompatibles, mais bon je suis pas psy!

Je pense que l'un des aspects positifs de la storyline actuelle est qu'elle devrait permettre de bien mettre en relief que quel que soit celui des quatre vents qui vienne a mourir, ce sera une grande perte pour l'empire!

mouais, c'est trop artificiel cet attachement que l'on nous impose envers les 4 vents ( mais bon, aucun des vents ne doit être mauvais...)comme si Naseru était comme ça

Salut, ma présence sur ce forum reflète un interêt pour la storyline...

Perso, je trouve pas ça si artificiel. cf la flavor de Well Prepared

"The Shogun believed Ryoko Owari would ba an easy target" Naseru said with a scowl "Teach his troops the price of misplaced pride"

Ce qui m'amène a la raison principale de ce post....ben et la suite?!

Quand j'ai lu les 4 premiers sur le site dimanche, je me disais qu'il y en aurait un nouveau Lundi; et encore un autre aujourd'hui...

mais rien..alors que les previews continuent....

c'est normal docteur?

Je pense oui... Laisse leur le temps d'écrire...

La suite est dispo sur le site...

C'est définitif il faut bruler Kaneka avec des toutes petites allumettes...
Il est trop con ce mec, il sait pas réfléchir...

Ah bon?
Il a choisi son destin il agit en consequence c'est tout. Je vois pas en quoi il ne reflechit pas? Un mec qui t envoi des assassins, une fois que tu l'as sous la main tu le laches pas....
Naseru et Kaneka doivent mettre un terme à ce qu'ils ont commencé c'est tout.

Il va à l'encontre d'un ordre imperial c'est un cretin, Kaede est l'oracle du vide et il sait qu'elle sait ce qu'il veut faire et ce qui s'est passé entre eux, elle ne lui aurait pas envoyé cet ordre si ce n'était vraiment important pour l'empire... Par son acte il prouve qu'il est trop fier et orgueilleux qu'il met trop sa personne en avant et donc qu'il n'a pas les qualités pour diriger l'empire... Voilà ce qu'est un acte non réfléchi...