The Return of a Fallen Hero
By Ree Soesbee, July 1999

When I raised my head...
There was my rigid body
Lying bitter cold

-- Seibi

These events took place shortly before GenCon '99 and the release of Honor Bound. This message was sent to the Crab Clan Listserver, seeking the Crab response. The Crab voted to follow Amoro to Volturnum, but did not wish to fall to the Shadowlands Taint a second time. One contacted the Crane ambassador to the Crab, and determined that one of the Tears of the First Hantei might be used to prevent the breaking of that oath. That story is found here.

A pounding resounds through Hida Castle as the ancient gates rock with the force of the blows. It is a beating, like of fist against steel, but greater than a mortal samurai...and less than Oni. As the Hiruma open the gate warily, a faint light shines through, red as blood, the heavens on fire from the sunset. He stands in the shadow of the Wall, the Dark Lands at his back. Taller than most Crab, once this was a man to be feared, a man known as brother. Now, he opens a rotted hand and bows a bloody knee.

"I am.. Amoro. Son.. of Hida."

The shame of his Taint burns your blood, and you think to slam the door, cleave him in two, destroy the monstrosity that stands upon your doorstep. But as you reach for your tetsubo of jade, his stained voice hisses yet again.

"I wish to die with honor, in the service of my.. clan. I know no peace in the Shadowlands. I have seen the path you must take, to destroy the Shadow within the mountains. It lies in a city far to the south, where the spirits of the dead scream in torment. I have seen them - our ancestors - destroyed by the Darkness. The call of Fu Leng forces me to rise again, but I.. I wish only to fulfill my oath as a berzerker. Allow me to stand by the side of the Crab, and lead you to that place. Let me die as a son of Hida, in the service of my clan, and I will finally know peace. I will not fail you... "

"Not again..."

The zombie, clad in Crab armor and in shame, awaits his brother's reply.

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