Chaos erupted in the Emperor’s audience chamber. No one in attendance could believe the news they had just heard. Bayushi Kachiko and Doji Hoturi had been having a secret love affair— and she was pregnant with his child. 

Hantei 38th had heard all he could stomach. The order which he and his forebears had carefully crafted in this city of peace had slowly descended into pandemonium. The Forbidden Palace, the epicenter of prosperity within the Empire, had been made a mockery of. His heavenly rule reduced to a joke. And Kachiko, the Imperial Advisor, one of his closest friends: a traitor. 

The Son of Heaven could no longer deny what was happening. The evidence was overwhelming and Kachiko’s reputation was destroyed, as well as the reputation of her staunchest defender. The Scorpion were planning a coup, and Kachiko was orchestrating it. But how deep did the treachery go? Was Hoturi in on the scheme? Was the Lion-Crane war just another smokescreen by the Scorpion? The emperor’s head began to pound as he thought of all the possibilities, his body sweating profusely as the weight of duty took its toll on his body.

For their treachery, their infidelity, their abandonment of Bushido, the shame they’ve brought to their families, and the embarrassment they’ve brought to the imperial court, Kachiko and Hoturi were ordered to commit seppuku. Kachiko, normally so eloquent and clever, was speechless. Wanting redemption, Buro appealed to the emperor, asking his permission to deliver Kachiko’s final blow when she conducted her ritual. An unorthodox request, but Hantei granted him permission.

As Kachiko’s trial came to a close, the imperial court had to avert their focus onto an even bigger issue. Shoju was camped outside Otosan Uchi with an army and had sent an open invitation to the emperor and his court to parlay outside the city walls. The court deliberated on who to send and how to handle the situation. Representatives from the great clans as well as members of the imperial families volunteered to meet with Shoju alongside the emperor. As preparations were being made, a messenger from the Wasp clan delivered Tomo a small dose of poison. “A gift from Tsuruchi,” he called it. Tomo applied the poison to three arrows, wondering if he’d need to use them.

The emperor’s envoy traveled through the scared and confused streets of Otosan Uchi, passed beneath its crumbling exterior walls, and out onto the plain where Shoju and his advisors were waiting. The situation weighed heavily on Hantei 38th. His skin had become milk-white and clammy, and his robes were soaked through with sweat. Hantei, 38th of his name, the Son of Heaven, emperor of Rokugan—brought low by one of his own loyal subjects. How could he have been so naive? The situation was dire, and he knew it.

As the sun was setting over the bay and a cold winter wind blew through the air, the emperor’s envoy sat face to face with The Lord of Whispers and his retinue. “What is the meaning of this? What are you doing here?” The emperor asked.

“I’m here to kill you, take your city, claim your throne, and take your court hostage,” Shoju said.

He explained that he’d been having horrible nightmares, strange visions which he could not explain. He decided to investigate the caves beneath Kyuden Bayushi, believing this was the source of his dreams. There, he found something. Shoju then produced a scroll. “This is the last prophecy of Uikku,” he said.

Uikku was a revered prophet from the first century. His writings are considered sacred by the religious leaders of Rokugan. Shoju explained that the scroll he had found foretold the Hantei line bringing about the end of Rokugan. At first, Shoju could not believe what he had discovered. How could it be possible?

After deep meditation, the answers dawned on him. The imperial family keeps Rokugan weak, afraid, and ignorant of the outside world. Their order keeps the empire embroiled in endless petty squabbles between the clans while vast empires grow beyond their borders. Rokugan will be consumed by its own pride and traditions if it cannot adapt and be allowed to grow. The empire will forever be stuck looking to a detached, feeble old man who can’t even keep order in his own court.

Shoju knew he couldn’t just share this revelation with the great clans of Rokugan. He would be ostracized for his heresy and no one would take him seriously. It was on him and his clan alone to do what was needed. He also knew that simply killing the emperor would not be good enough. All that would do would create a power vacuum. He needed to end the Hantei line, appoint himself emperor, and convince the clans of Rokugan to accept his wisdom.

Shoju explained that the throne means nothing. The title means nothing. What matters is the faith people put into them. He implored the leaders of the clans to put their faith in him now. He promised to start a new age for Rokugan. An age of unity and expansion. No longer fated to be the hermit kingdom,  Rokugan will grow beyond its borders and claim wealth and power beyond their comprehension. 

“And if I can’t unite you under my banner,” he said, “I can at least unite you against my banner.” The Lord of Whispers admitted that if they were to unite, they could defeat him, but at what cost? As winter approaches, countless lives will be lost to the elements alone. While they are forced to make their encampments in the snow, he will be shoring up his provisions in the city. Accept his rule now, and they will be spared the needless suffering. “Even if I am defeated, I will at least unite the clans of Rokugan against a common enemy, and that’s more than our useless emperor could ever do,” he added. “Surrender Kachiko, the city, and accept me as your ruler, and you will prevent needless bloodshed,” Shoju commanded.

“We will not stand for your treachery,” Akodo Toturi said, “Rokugan will never accept you as our ruler. We will defend the emperor until the bitter end.”

“That’s because you’re too blind to see that he’s already dead,” Shoju retorted.

At that moment all eyes turned to the emperor. His skin had turned white and his robes had become drenched in sweat as he shivered and choked on the words in his throat. Delirious, the emperor slouched over in his camp chair and fell to the ground. Hantei, 38th of his name, the Son of Heaven, emperor of Rokugan—dead before he even left his palace.

Credits

Art by Dylon Munoz

Music

"Rokugan Theme" by Brandon Spain

"Sake House" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Gives You Anxiety" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Kachiko's Waltz" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"The Staredown" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"After the Court" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"Veiled Contempt" by Podcast of the Five Rings

"The Royal Baths" by Podcast of the Five Rings

Artwork by Dylon Munoz

Music by Brandon Spain & Podcast of the Five Rings