Kyuden Isawa, year 1168, month of the Ox

Shiba Ningen sat motionless in a small dark room somewhere in the confines of the Isawa family estate. Everything had been removed from the room save for a single candle, Ningen, and the object of his scrutiny. The lone candle cast little light, draping the room in deep shadows. Ningen sat in lotus position, his brow furrowed as he reached out with his senses, plumbing the Void for any connection he could find to the mysterious artifact before him.

The Egg of the Void. It had been removed from the Tomb of the Seven Thunders by Shiba Aikune, then returned to Phoenix lands by the Dragon monk Hitomi Maya after Aikune’s death. It was Ningen who identified it, although in all honesty he did not know how. He had never heard of such an artifact, and yet he had sensed its approach and known what it was the moment he had seen it. Even now, he did not know what it meant. All he knew was that it was important.

Hours stretched on as he sat in the near-darkness. The candle burned lower and lower until it was little more than a lump of wax with a tiny flame atop it. Perspiration beaded up on Ningen’s forehead with the strain of casting his senses farther and farther into the gulf, searching for the egg’s presence. It seemed that the emptiness surrounding it was without limit, and that he would never find it in the darkness. And then...

Greetings, little Phoenix.

Ningen inhaled sharply. Greetings, great one, he said without speaking. I... forgive my intrusion. I wish only to understand the Egg.

Of course, the voice returned. There are no bounds to the curiosity of humans, it seems. Yet I must confess that none has ever succeeded in reaching across the Void to me. You are not without talent, perhaps.

I am honored beyond words, great one, Ningen answered. I wish to understand the Egg, if it is your will for me to do so.

My will. The Void Dragon’s voice was bemused. The Egg is the embodiment of the elements, and the embodiment of their absence. It is a moment of convergence between Ningen-do and Tengoku. It is the means by which particularly gifted mortals can reach across the gulf and reach my kind, the dragons.

“Magnificent,” Ningen breathed. “I am not worthy, great one.”

No, the dragon agreed. You are not.

Ningen drew back in surprise. “But... you said that I was the first.”

You are, it replied. You are skilled, and powerful, but not yet worthy.

Ningen closed his eyes and struggled for a moment with the disappointment. “How can I find one who is, great one?”

There is one among you already, the dragon said. One who is pure. One who is wise. One who is worthy. Bring this one before me, and the Egg’s purpose will be fulfilled.

With that, Ningen was alone in the chamber once more.

Tamori Nakamuro and Shiba Ningen walked the hallway together in silence. Nakamuro stroked his beard casually, his mind lost in thought. After a while, he nodded. “We have spent too many years too far from the path. We have forgotten the lessons of Shinsei, and of our ancestors. It is no wonder the dragons have passed judgment on us.”

“We call ourselves Masters,” Ningen said. “What arrogance.”

“It is tradition,” Nakamuro countered.

“That does not make it right,” Ningen said. “We have to earn the right. We have to find the path again. I must find the one the dragons have judged worthy.”

“Ochiai.”

Ningen cast an irritated look sideways. “Your reverence for your sister is admirable, but this is a bit much.”

“She will not take a life, even in war. She seeks another way, no matter the cost. Can you think of anything more true to the path of Shinsei? To the ideal that the Phoenix are meant to embody?”

Ningen frowned. “Perhaps... perhaps you have a point,” he said. “When she returns from the Winter Court, then she and I will speak.”

“Good,” Nakamuro said. “And the Council must speak of the Khan soon.” His mouth became a grim line. “The Phoenix must choose. Are we meant to speak of peace, or bring it about? And if we mean to bring it about, by what means is that acceptable?”