The hills surrounding Toshi Rambo were normally lush and vibrant, but with autumn about to set in the fertile lands had a touch of grey. A hush had fallen over the land. It was as if the Empire itself was dying.

Asahina Sekawa stood at the top of a hill overlooking the Imperial City. His arms were folded across his lean chest. His scarred face was twisted with uncertainty. He sensed movement behind him, but did not react expect to speak.

"Sugimoto." the Crane said, greeting the Keeper of Earth gruffly. "The others sent me to look for you, Sekawa-sama." the old Crab said, approaching the Crane at his usual stolid, unhurried pace. "They wait upon you."

"Wait upon me ?" he asked, looking back curiously. "For what ?"

"You are our leader now," he said, "Are you not ? There is much trouble brewing in the Empire. The Mantis turn upon the Phoenix. The Lion accuse your own clan of treachery in the courts. Dark rumors spread from my homeland. And the Scorpion are silent ... it is never good when the Scorpion are silent... We stand at a crossroads. The Empire must find a new path - a path of hope."

"I did not ask to lead anyone," Sekawa said. "I have trouble enough with my responsabilities as Jade Champion. The Empire believes I can bring them enlightenment, but I am not so certain. I feel no different than I did before finding Shinsei's last book."

Sugimoto studied the Crane intently for a long moment. A slow smile broke upon his craggy features. "I think you have greater wisdow than you know, my friend." he said.

"You do not know me, Sugimoto," Sekawa said, looking back to the Imperial City. "If the Empire needs a teacher to bring peace and harmony, they had best look to another. There is no peace in my soul. No harmony."

"Did you ever consider that was why you were chosen, Sekawa ?" Sugimoto asked. "The best way to learn is through teaching. As you struggle to understand your own enlightenment, perhaps you will teach the rest of us."

Sekawa did not reply at first. A grin slowly spread across his face. "Your words," the Crane finally said, his voice thick. "They remind me of something my uncle once said."

"Was your uncle a wise man ?" Sugimoto said.

"Very wise," Sekawa answered. "The Empire is the lesser of his passing."

"Then don't tell anyone I said something wise," Sugimoto said. "I would hate to ruin my reputation."

Sekawa laughed out loud at the Crab. His foul mood was dispelled, at least for the moment.

"Shall we go meet with the others now, Sekawa-sama ?" the Keeper of Earth asked.

"Yes," Sekawa said. "Let us find your new path."

The two Keepers made their way down through the hills around Toshi Rambo. The hills were usually vibrant, but with autumn about to set in the fertile lands had a touch of grey. A hush had fallen over the land.

It was as if the Empire itself was dying.

Or perhaps waiting to be born again.