A Song of Infinite Sadness
by Kakita Tetsuko
That speak from twilight temples...
Ah! cool dialogue
-- Buson
These events took place after Origins '99 and before the release of Honor Bound, to reflect the feelings of Kakita Tetsuko to the current events of the storyline. Although not included in Reflections of Honor, it should be considered part of that project.
A Song of Infinite Sadness
By Kakita Tetsuko
The road grew dark as Lady Sun crested over the Spine of the World Mountains. Two travelers, one in magnificent blue armor and the other in more simple robes, walk along the silent trail. A sweet yet sorrowful song whispered on the breath of the Sapphire Champion as he exhaled drew the attention of his companion.
"What song is that Tetsuko-san?" the old monk politely inquired between the stanzas of the repeating melody.
"A song of loss and grief, of reflection and despair, a song to relieve my heart from the strain that tears at the Empire, my Clan and my soul." spoke the Champion as if in some sort of trance.
"…and it's name." the monk now led.
"Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. Its composer was from a Clan that has seen much sadness. I only hope now that with their return, they have learn that revenge only destroys those taking the vengeance." answered the aging Kakita.
"I do not think your friend Makoto would agree," led the monk once more.
Awake out of his trance like walk, Tetsuko now spoke up, "Makoto fights to avenge the dishonor and loss of a loved one. I cannot follow his path. This Living Darkness that nearly took me, wants me to hunt it, to hate it and to become so consume with avenging her death which I…"
Tetsuko, realizing his growing rage and shape tone to his voice, remembered Suzume Shintao's teachings. Moments passed as Tetsuko calmed himself and thought toward his task ahead.
The Champion began to speak the speech he had just composed, "With all of these problems, from the Shadowlands, Kolats, Bloodspeekers, Crane Civil War, Toturi's return and the slaughter of the court to this Living Darkness, how can you be so calm when the world around us grows dark with despair and evils that would see the world destroyed or worse?"
"Is it not always darkest just before the dawn?" Suzume Shintao said as he gave his prepared reply.
"Or just before it goes pitch black." quickly replied the Champion as he had done many times.
These games Shintao would play to get Tetsuko to look at himself revealed much about the monk's nature as well as his own. Usually Tetsuko traveled with his yojimbo, Hida Yokosuna and the Sapphire Magistrate Isawa Mubanji. This night however was a quiet distraction from the fighting that had taken place earlier that day. Mubanji and Yokosuna were out checking a lead giving Shintao and Tetsuko a few moment of reflection.
Stopping at a fork in the road, Tetsuko spoke again, "We stand at a crossroads, both here on the trail and in the history of this Empire. Once we choose I fear we can never go back. I only hope when the time comes, I will be able to choose and follow a path with conviction and determination. Great decisions must be made that will reshape this Empire. I hope the actions I take are the right ones."
"Be more concerned with good actions than great ones." the monk now quoted from the House of Doji.
"I see you have learned as much from me as I have from you." Tetsuko jokingly exclaimed.
"We are each the teacher and the student." The monk spoke with wisdom far older than his years.
Amaterasu now shown her last gleaming rays as she descended over the great hills. The sky grew darker with each passing moment.
"Tetsuko-sama!" yelled an approaching samurai in Crab colors helping along a wounded man.
"What is it Yokosuna?" Tetsuko quickly answered.
Now closer, Tetsuko could see the wounds on his yojimbo and the limping of his Magistrate.
"Is it true then?" The Champion inquired in a shape firm tone.
"Yes. Your vassal and protégé, Kakita Tsuruko, has joined Doji Adoka and the Horde," exclaimed the heaving Crab.
Tetsuko said putting on his helm, "It is a very dark night."
That speak from twilight temples...
Ah! cool dialogue
-- Buson
These events took place after Origins '99 and before the release of Honor Bound, to reflect the feelings of Kakita Tetsuko to the current events of the storyline. Although not included in Reflections of Honor, it should be considered part of that project.
A Song of Infinite Sadness
By Kakita Tetsuko
The road grew dark as Lady Sun crested over the Spine of the World Mountains. Two travelers, one in magnificent blue armor and the other in more simple robes, walk along the silent trail. A sweet yet sorrowful song whispered on the breath of the Sapphire Champion as he exhaled drew the attention of his companion.
"What song is that Tetsuko-san?" the old monk politely inquired between the stanzas of the repeating melody.
"A song of loss and grief, of reflection and despair, a song to relieve my heart from the strain that tears at the Empire, my Clan and my soul." spoke the Champion as if in some sort of trance.
"…and it's name." the monk now led.
"Melancholy and the Infinite Sadness. Its composer was from a Clan that has seen much sadness. I only hope now that with their return, they have learn that revenge only destroys those taking the vengeance." answered the aging Kakita.
"I do not think your friend Makoto would agree," led the monk once more.
Awake out of his trance like walk, Tetsuko now spoke up, "Makoto fights to avenge the dishonor and loss of a loved one. I cannot follow his path. This Living Darkness that nearly took me, wants me to hunt it, to hate it and to become so consume with avenging her death which I…"
Tetsuko, realizing his growing rage and shape tone to his voice, remembered Suzume Shintao's teachings. Moments passed as Tetsuko calmed himself and thought toward his task ahead.
The Champion began to speak the speech he had just composed, "With all of these problems, from the Shadowlands, Kolats, Bloodspeekers, Crane Civil War, Toturi's return and the slaughter of the court to this Living Darkness, how can you be so calm when the world around us grows dark with despair and evils that would see the world destroyed or worse?"
"Is it not always darkest just before the dawn?" Suzume Shintao said as he gave his prepared reply.
"Or just before it goes pitch black." quickly replied the Champion as he had done many times.
These games Shintao would play to get Tetsuko to look at himself revealed much about the monk's nature as well as his own. Usually Tetsuko traveled with his yojimbo, Hida Yokosuna and the Sapphire Magistrate Isawa Mubanji. This night however was a quiet distraction from the fighting that had taken place earlier that day. Mubanji and Yokosuna were out checking a lead giving Shintao and Tetsuko a few moment of reflection.
Stopping at a fork in the road, Tetsuko spoke again, "We stand at a crossroads, both here on the trail and in the history of this Empire. Once we choose I fear we can never go back. I only hope when the time comes, I will be able to choose and follow a path with conviction and determination. Great decisions must be made that will reshape this Empire. I hope the actions I take are the right ones."
"Be more concerned with good actions than great ones." the monk now quoted from the House of Doji.
"I see you have learned as much from me as I have from you." Tetsuko jokingly exclaimed.
"We are each the teacher and the student." The monk spoke with wisdom far older than his years.
Amaterasu now shown her last gleaming rays as she descended over the great hills. The sky grew darker with each passing moment.
"Tetsuko-sama!" yelled an approaching samurai in Crab colors helping along a wounded man.
"What is it Yokosuna?" Tetsuko quickly answered.
Now closer, Tetsuko could see the wounds on his yojimbo and the limping of his Magistrate.
"Is it true then?" The Champion inquired in a shape firm tone.
"Yes. Your vassal and protégé, Kakita Tsuruko, has joined Doji Adoka and the Horde," exclaimed the heaving Crab.
Tetsuko said putting on his helm, "It is a very dark night."
