. "Previously: Dawn of the Empire. Dawn of the Empire, Part Two of Ten \u201CThe Hantei\u2019s Empire grew,\u201D Unmei said. \u201CEach of the Kami sought their purpose and sought their followers in their own way. Some were discovered in the most unlikely places.\u201D The Daughter by Seth Mason Takashi landed on the branch next to his brother and perched, folding his arms under his wings for warmth. The spring thaw was coming, but not quickly enough for the kenku\u2019s liking. Takashi absently brushed snow out of his gray feathers with his beak. \u201CWhat is so important,\u201D he asked, clearly annoyed, \u201Cthat I must leave our warm home?\u201D \u201CThat,\u201D Mukashi said, pointing down from their high perch towards a human village. The settlement was no more than a dozen buildings haphazardly scattered around what was most likely a water source. Men and woman tended to a herd of livestock here and there, and smoke billowed up from the houses. \u201CHumans,\u201D the gray kenku said, his mood not improving. \u201CYes, very interesting. I am quite sure they all have some sort of interesting life story, and you could point out some detail to tell them apart from one another. I have no time for your games, brother.\u201D Mukashi gave his brother a meaningful look and motioned again with his black talons. \u201CLook there, brother. That building with the two horses outside. That is the headman\u2019s house.\u201D Though he did not share his younger brother\u2019s fascination with the humans, Takashi knew that Mukashi was no idiot. If he thought something was worth special attention, the older kenku would listen to him. \u201CThe headman is the human that the other humans answer to, yes?\u201D he asked, vaguely remembering one of his brother\u2019s endless dialogues about human culture. \u201COr is that the Emperor? I forget.\u201D \u201CNever mind, just watch,\u201D the younger kenku replied absently, not taking his eyes from the house. \u201CLook as they come out. See how sad they are?\u201D As if on cue, two middle-aged humans emerged from the house \u2014 one man and one woman. Though they were quite a ways off, the kenku had amazing vision and both could see that the humans were upset. The woman was in tears, leaning against the man, who echoed the woman\u2019s sadness with his eyes. The headman shouted something in the gibbering language of the humans, and two others approached to respond. \u201CWhat are they saying, Mukashi?\u201D the older kenku asked. \u201CThe headman\u2019s daughter was lost in the snow and search parties were sent out. He wants to know what they found.\u201D Takashi found himself becoming strangely interested in the humans. \u201CWhat did they find?\u201D \u201CNothing,\u201D Mukashi said. \u201CThe child has been lost for a week. There is no reason to think they will find anything.\u201D \u201CHave you brought me here to learn pity for these creatures, brother?\u201D Takashi said. The kenku\u2019s black eyes clouded somewhat as he watched the spectacle. \u201CI must confess that it\u2019s working. Shall we find the girl, then?\u201D Mukashi shook his head. \u201CI found her this morning\u2026 it is too late for her.\u201D \u201CHow terrible,\u201D Takashi replied. \u201CPerhaps not,\u201D Makashi answered. He brought one hand out from under his wing and opened his palm. Against the kenku\u2019s black feathers, it was nearly impossible to see the inky substance that hovered in his hand like smoke. \u201CWhat\u2026 what is that?\u201D Takashi asked. \u201CIt is a piece of Nothing,\u201D the younger one replied. \u201CA small piece of the Universe that Lady Sun and Lord Moon did not name. It is formless, and thus can be shaped by those who have the power. It came to me because it was afraid.\u201D Takashi didn\u2019t bother to ask if his brother held such power. Though they were relatively young among their race, Mukashi was one of the most gifted kenku mystics in generations. \u201CWhat will you do with it, then?\u201D \u201CLeft to its own devices, it could be dangerous,\u201D Mukashi said. \u201CYet if we give it what it seeks\u2026 a place in the universe\u2026 perhaps we can replace what has been lost, my brother.\u201D The younger kenku looked back to the grieving humans. \u201CWe promised not to interfere directly with them, but can we not correct something that has gone wrong? Let me have this one indulgence, brother, and I promise to leave them alone forever.\u201D The gray kenku looked into his brother\u2019s eyes, then back towards the village, where the human woman had run into her house, wailing in despair at the messenger\u2019s words. The next day\u2026 \u201CWe have found her, Ito-sama!\u201D one of the peasants cried, running into the village with the young girl in his arms. Townsfolk emerged from their buildings at the sound of the man\u2019s shouts. The peasant ran up to the headman\u2019s door and nearly collapsed in exhaustion as he gently set the girl down. The headman\u2019s daughter had dark rings under her eyes, dirt and leaves were caked on her clothes and hair, and her hands were scratched and raw. Ito, the village headman, came out and quickly gathered up his daughter in his arms, laughing in joy. \u201CShuro-hime!\u201D he cried, holding his daughter aloft and nearly dancing about in front of everyone. At the edge of the village, behind a bush, a small girl who looked remarkably like Shuro watched from her hiding place. A great black bird had placed her at the forest\u2019s edge not far from the village and told her to hurry home to her father, the headman of the nearby village. Though her memories were not quite clear, she felt as if this was where she was supposed to be. The man they called Ito seemed like her father, but obviously she was not the girl that had gone missing. I\u2019m lost, she thought to herself. And this is not my home. The small nameless girl thought about going into the village and seeking shelter there, but something seemed wrong. She did not belong here. A moment ago, she had felt complete and safe once again, but that feeling had vanished at the sight of the man holding the dirty little girl. \u201CI\u2019ll find my father,\u201D she said to herself, gathering all the courage she could find in her little soul, \u201Cand when I do, he will welcome me with just as much happiness.\u201D Ten years later\u2026 \u201CI thought she was a stable boy,\u201D Bayushi said, continuing with his story as he poured his brother another cup of sake. The First Scorpion\u2019s smile was broad as he recounted the tale, and the woman sitting next to him mirrored her master\u2019s expression. \u201CI thought I had seen everything these humans could do, Shiba, but I tell you\u2026 perhaps you and Togashi are right. They are quite remarkable.\u201D The chamber was well lit, though the long table and countless lamps were host only to the three of them: Bayushi, Shiba, and Bayushi\u2019s first vassal, Shosuro. Shosuro had long ago grown accustomed to the game Bayushi played with his kin. In front of the other Kami, she was an amusement to be discussed as if she were not in the room. After all, what were mortals when sitting between two of the children of Sun and Moon? Away from his siblings, he was a different man. Honest. Open. Troubled. Though Shiba and Bayushi were twins, Shosuro saw what the First Scorpion\u2019s brother did not \u2014 her lord was turning over some problem in his mind. \u201CImagine my surprise when she was holding a knife to my throat in the geisha house later that same evening,\u201D Bayushi chuckled before he took another drink. His trademark mask lay on the table between him and his brother. He had taken to removing it in Shiba\u2019s presence, in deference to the brother who had defeated him in the Kami\u2019s tournament. \u201CIndeed,\u201D was all Shiba replied as his dark eyes once again bored into Shosuro. The young woman may have understood the Phoenix Kami\u2019s brother better than he, but Shiba almost immediately seemed aware that something was different about her. He did not give Shosuro the same longing or lustful looks she had grown used to from men \u2014 instead he looked at her like a scholar would stare at a particularly interesting scroll, as if pondering a deeper meaning. \u201CHow clever must she be to fool even you, brother. I remember when Doji thought to outsmart you during Hantei\u2019s coronation, but not even her agile mind could outmaneuver you.\u201D \u201CShe is a rarity,\u201D Bayushi agreed, his tone losing some of its amusement. He looked back to her, and for the first time, he gazed upon her with open admiration in front of one of his siblings. \u201CA unique treasure, Shiba. I don\u2019t believe we will ever see her like again among her kind.\u201D The First Scorpion gave his brother a meaningful stare before reassuming his ever-present smirk and taking another sip of his drink. After a long silence, Shiba finally looked away from Shosuro. \u201CI believe you are right, brother,\u201D he answered. \u201CShe is a wonder among her people.\u201D Shosuro tensed as she felt Bayushi\u2019s heart sink. Though the Scorpion Kami\u2019s eyes nor face betrayed his feelings, the bond between them was deep enough that not even Bayushi could conceal from Shosuro his reaction to Shiba\u2019s words. Something had passed between the twins that she could not see. Bayushi knew some truth about her now, something that Shiba had seen and she herself perhaps did not know. It was an uncomfortable thought. Prying secrets from Bayushi was a difficult task, even for her. The night wore on, and the brothers exchanged stories of the humans and of their home far from the mortal world. Shosuro could not help but feel more and more alone with each passing breath. \u201CWe will find an answer,\u201D Bayushi promised as they rode away from Shiba\u2019s home. \u201CI swear it.\u201D Shosuro only nodded in silence. Bayushi had made the same vow a year ago, some time after they had met. She had showed her lord how she could shift her appearance, allowing her to appear older, younger, taller, shorter, or even like a stable boy. She had hoped the wise and powerful Kami would know why she had never met another human that could do such a thing, but he did not. She had long hidden her gift for fear that it was a sign that she was touched by some demon. Now she was beginning to wonder if she was right. The Kami sensed his companion\u2019s dark mood. \u201CI recall when you met Hantei,\u201D Bayushi began, attempting to lift her spirits. \u201CHe remarked how much you reminded him of our sister, Doji.\u201D Though Shosuro appreciated what her lord was trying to do, she was not in the mood for another of his games. \u201CThat was because I chose to look much like Doji, if you recall. You told me how much the new Emperor favored her, and I thought it would serve us both well to do such a thing.\u201D \u201CI knew then you had not come to me as some accident,\u201D Bayushi said. \u201CWe are different, you and I.\u201D He motioned vaguely to the south, towards the rest of the Empire. \u201CHistorians will some day write great tales of Akodo\u2019s bravery and Doji\u2019s charm, while we, who lurk in shadows, will be the villains in their stories. Tricksters and liars: those will be our roles.\u201D The mirth in his words was reflected in his eyes. \u201CIs that not exciting?\u201D \u201CAre you so certain your deeds will even be worth mentioning besides such legendary figures as your siblings, dear Bayushi?\u201D Shosuro asked as innocently as she could. Bayushi smiled under his mask and shrugged. \u201CI\u2019ll never be stronger than Hida, nor smarter than Shiba, I think. So why bother?\u201D He sighed dramatically. \u201CThey can do what I cannot do. All that is left is for me to do what they would not do.\u201D \u201CAh,\u201D Shosuro replied, not yet convinced. \u201CYou paint such an enticing future, Bayushi. I wonder if it\u2019s not too late to cast my lot with Shinjo and get lost on a horse somewhere.\u201D \u201CI think you make a much better villain than a horseman,\u201D the First Scorpion said, his tone slightly more serious. \u201CDo you not?\u201D After a moment, Shosuro could not help but grin. No one knew her as well as Bayushi did, and being reminded of that always made her smile. Her nature might remain a mystery, but so long as she was beside him, she would never truly be alone. Bayushi opened his mouth to say something again, but stopped as he felt a familiar presence in the area. He stopped his horse, and Shosuro gave him a questioning look. \u201CIt\u2019s nothing,\u201D he said, waving her on. \u201CKeep going.\u201D She did not appear convinced, but knew when Bayushi expected obedience. After Shosuro had moved a small distance away, she dropped off her horse and skulked back through the shadows toward him, watching and listening. Bayushi looked over his shoulder and grumbled, \u201CWhat do you want?\u201D Behind him, in the tall grass of the plains, the strong figure of Togashi stood with his arms folded. He said nothing, though Bayushi seemed to hear something. \u201CDo you have to do that, brother?\u201D Bayushi asked, sighing as he dismounted. \u201CWhy do you not speak like normal people? I\u2019m sure Shosuro is spying on us anyway. Why be so rude as to exclude her from the conversation?\u201D He gave his brother a withering glare. Of all his siblings, Shosuro liked Togashi the least. Even Hida and Akodo were not as irritating as the First Dragon. Togashi only replied by inclining his head toward Shosuro. Bayushi turned back around to see that she crouched among the shadows. She rose, looking embarrassed. \u201CIs this necessary?\u201D Bayushi asked his brother, regarding him once again. You must leave her to her own path. Now she could hear him as well. \u201CShe needs me,\u201D Bayushi hissed in response, discarding all semblance of etiquette. \u201CWhat do you know of it, brother? What would you know of a bond two people can share? You know nothing.\u201D His voice rose in anger, and he nearly began shouting. \u201CYou know nothing. Do you think I don\u2019t know you, Togashi? You watch from a distance, thinking you see everything from your lofty view, but you see only shapes, not details. You know nothing. You feel nothing.\u201D I will show you what I have seen, brother, Togashi said. This time Shosuro did not share in Togashi\u2019s communication. After a long moment, Bayushi closed his eyes. Now do you see? No matter what you do, Bayushi, she will always be alone. \u201DNo,\u201D Bayushi whispered. He opened his eyes to look at Togashi. \u201CI deny this destiny.\u201D The Kami laughed bitterly. \u201CYou see only the future that might be, Togashi. This is not set in stone. So long as I remain beside her, this will not occur.\u201D Then see that you do so, or I will be forced to take a hand. The First Scorpion snorted. \u201CI do not need your threats nor your permission, brother,\u201D he said, glancing back to Shosuro. She looked up at him with a faint smile, then looked back at Togashi. He was already gone. \u201CSomething is wrong,\u201D Shosuro said quietly. \u201CTell me the problem.\u201D \u201CNothing is the problem,\u201D Bayushi replied reflexively, and she sensed that he was telling the truth. \u201CTogashi is merely paranoid. It is as I said: we are destined to be villains, and my honourable brother has concerns regarding our future. But we shall be fine, so long as we always remain together.\u201D The young woman smiled and nodded. \u201COf course, my lord. And I will always be there.\u201D \u201CAlways?\u201D \u201CAlways.\u201D To Be Continued in: Glorious Battle."@en . "Previously: Dawn of the Empire. Dawn of the Empire, Part Two of Ten \u201CThe Hantei\u2019s Empire grew,\u201D Unmei said. \u201CEach of the Kami sought their purpose and sought their followers in their own way. Some were discovered in the most unlikely places.\u201D The Daughter by Seth Mason \u201CThat,\u201D Mukashi said, pointing down from their high perch towards a human village. The settlement was no more than a dozen buildings haphazardly scattered around what was most likely a water source. Men and woman tended to a herd of livestock here and there, and smoke billowed up from the houses. \u201CHow terrible,\u201D Takashi replied."@en . "Dec, 2004"@en . . . . "Unknown"@en . "The Daughter"@en . . . "A young Elosha was just a poor girl begging for money from the bypassing civilians in the streets, who then brought back the collected money to a nun. The collected money was not satisfactory, so the young girl is punished and forced to pray. However, she had enough of the rough treatment and strangles the nun with her own whip."@en . . . "A young Elosha was just a poor girl begging for money from the bypassing civilians in the streets, who then brought back the collected money to a nun. The collected money was not satisfactory, so the young girl is punished and forced to pray. However, she had enough of the rough treatment and strangles the nun with her own whip. Elosha told this tale years later to her husband, Fuerst, with whom she shared a life of banditry. On that day their gang attacks the Brothers of Stone - and trapped inside the basement of the ruins, they find their own people, the Sisters and Sons, and take care of them. 20 years pass, and they build up a new society with Elosha as their spiritual leader. She also gets pregnant with Fuerst's child. However, the Brothers of Stone come to get revenge, and as all of the Sisters and Sons escape to the Great Hall of their village, Elosha is hit in the head with an arrow. Fuerst carry her to the others in the hall - and there, they all start to pray. Their prayers are answered, and Elosha returns to life with magic powers and a deep faith in the rabbit God, but also amnesia. Elosha commands the others what the Rabbit tells her, and so the Sisters head to the North, while the Sons left in another direction. Fuerst followed her, even though she didn't recognize him anymore, so that he could watch over their daughter - Tah'vraay. He took great care of her, when her mother abandonned her - and showed her the path of piracy."@en . .