The Lesser of Two Evils
By Shawn Carman

"All will bow and give tribute to the Emperor Fu Leng! By his will alone has the Empire Flourished!"

- Miya Satoshi, Imperial Herald, 1139 by the Isawa Calendar, the Seventeenth Year of the Glorious Reign of Hantei XXXIX

* * * * *

Kyobei was a simple man who never expected much from life. As a child, he had dreamt of somehow becoming a samurai, perhaps a mighty Hida. As he grew older, his priorities changed. He came to look forward to marrying a good woman, raising strong children and expanding the farm he would inherit from his father. It was a good, wholesome dream, and one that was easily within his reach.

Then the Day of Thunder came, and everything changed.

Eleven years ago, when Kyobei was a young man of seventeen, the entire Empire had been plunged into darkness, Even the elements seemed to delight in the new Emperor's reign. The sky was darker, even at midday. The winters were harsher, and the occasional storms or earthquakes that he remembered from his childhood had multiplied tenfold in both frequency and intensity. The servants of the Emperor were no less fearsome. Tax collectors were often accompanied by hideous beasts that, if provoked even slightly, would rampage through the village destroying everything in their path. If the townspeople resisted, the Obsidian Legions reacted violently, not permitting any harm to come to the Emperor's pets.

All things considered, Kyobei would say that life was unfulfilling. There was nowhere he could flee that the Emperor's influence did not extend. He heard rumors that there were lands out beyond the sea where Fu Leng's corruption had not yet spread, but those lands were so distant that they might as well be in the Celestial Heavens, for Kyobei had an equal chance of reaching that distant realm.

Somehow, he had survived. Not only survived, but had come to be the leader of a small band of survivors hiding in the mountains. Kyobei's calm, thoughtful personality made him a natural leader. He was the one who dealt with the rare representatives of the Emperor who visited the remote village.

Such as the one with whom he was speaking now.

"You have your taxes?" the Obsidian Magistrate demanded. Judging from his appearance, he might once have been a Crane. His hair still had streaks of white in it; his eyes were ice blue. His katana was tucked into his obi in the traditional dueling style, although there were few left who still practiced that form of honorable combat. Kyobei bowed deeply, pressing his forehead to the ground. "Yes, great master!" he cried in what he hoped was an appropriately servile tone. "The season has been difficult, but we have managed to meet the Emperor's taxes! We have even managed to raise an additional bushel of rice to show our devotion to our lord and master! It will be a difficult winter, and many will go hungry, but it is a small price to pay to ensure he knows of the loyalty of Three Stone Village!"

The tax collector snorted. "Do you think the Emperor cares if you go hungry? He takes what he wants, and you will applaud his mercy!" He lashed out with a vicious kick that caught Kyobei in the shoulder. Although it was not a serious blow, Kyobei rolled around on the ground, moaning and scraping before the collector. A proper display of pain always pleased the Obsidian Magistrates.

"Pathetic!" the Tainted Crane exclaimed, clearly disgusted. he gestured to two of the undead samurai accompanying him, sending them to retrieve the village's taxes. A flicker of concentration crossed the magistrate's face then, as if he had remembered something. Kyobei winced as the collector turned back with an angry expression. "Listen to me, filth," the corrupt samurai snarled. "I have heard reports of hidden fields of rice in the hills. An ashura sent to investigate did not return. If there is something in the hills, especially something capable of destroying one of the Emperor's Chosen, you would be well served to tell us. I have some associates who are quite gifted at getting information, although it is disturbing to watch. . . "

Kyobei looked both terrified and confused. "I do not understand, master! Hidden fields? Do you mean covered with something? We have very little cloth! We would never defy the emperor! What is an 'ashora'?"

The collector's disgusted expression reappeared, even more vehement this time. He struck Kyobei across the face, bloodying his nose and knocking him back to the ground. "You are beyond useless!" he raged. "This entire village is not worth the time it would take to destroy it!" Leaping astride his onikage, the collector charged away into the distance, followed by his assistants and the cart bearing their taxes.

Kyobei waited until the group disappeared across the distant hills before climbing quickly to his feet. he wiped the blood away from his face casually and smiled grimly at the success of the ruse. The creatures Fu Leng sent were totally incapable of recognizing that a simple peasant could deceive them. It was a dangerous gambit, but one that paid off well when successful.

"Well done, Kyobei of Three Stone Village," a woman's voice came unexpectedly. "Few have the mental fortitude to resist Fu Leng's dreaded minions."

The peasant spun in a quick circle, searching for the source of the voice. There was nothing that he could see in any direction. His hand darted to the knife stitched inside the rear of his shirt. If he had been discovered, he would need to buy the village as much time as possible. It would be very little. "Who speaks?" he called out. "Show yourself!"

"You are indeed a marvel," the voice came again. There, in the middle of the field, was a woman in orange robes. One moment, there was nothing. The next, she was standing there. A small, strangely serene child stood at her side, his dark eyes fixed on Kyobei.

"Who are you?" Kyobei demanded.

"I am the Oracle of Thunder, guardian of heroes," the woman answered. "And I have come for you, Kyobei of Three Stone Village."

* * * * *

"Toturi?" Kyobei asked as he paced his small, one-room home. "the Black Lion? He still fights the Emperor? I thought he was long dead!" Kyobei was giddy, like a child who just learned that there would be a festival in the morning after all.

Isawa Kaede smiled a knowing smile. "Many believe that Toturi is dead. It is to the Emperor's advantage to keep the existence of any who fight against his rule a secret. It might inspire others to rebellion." She fixed him with a penetrating look. "Others like you."

"I am no hero, Kaede-sama," Kyobei said grimly.

"You lead these people," she said, gesturing at the village. The child continued to stare silently.

"Someone has to lead them," Kyobei shrugged.

"And you took the responsibility," she said firmly. "Most would not. It was your soul that drew me here. The fire of human courage cannot easily be crushed by force, but it can be slowly extinguished by oppression. Those precious few whose spirit still burns brightly, such as yours, are humanity's only hope against the Dark Emperor."

"Please, Kaede-sama," Kyobei said, "What do you want from me? I am not a hero."

"Not all heroes fight with a sword," she said.

"What is he hiding, mother?" the tiny child with Kaede asked. It was the first time he had spoken in the hours since Kaede had appeared. His voice and gaze were eerily intense for a child of three. His hair was a startling white with black streaks at the temples.

"Be silent, Ichiro-kun," Kaede admonished. "Kyobei will tell us all we need to know."

The peasant rose and crossed the room, fidgeting idly with his farming implements. "Although our villages' fields seem quite sickly," he began, "they are actually very productive. The additional bushels I gave the collector today were raised in the village, just as several other bushels were. It will not be a difficult winter for us. Far from it."

Kaede furrowed her brow. "That is very impressive," she said cautiously.

"It was not always so," Kyobei continued. "After the Dark Emperor ascended to the throne, we were on the verge of starvation for a very long period of time. Many died, including my wife and infant son." he paused for a few moments, struggling with the memory. "A few years ago, I was approached by a man who claimed he could help us and allow us to aid in the fight against Fu Leng at the same time. I gladly accepted, and I do not regret the decision, even if I fear he does not have the village's best interests in mind."

"What are you talking about?" Kaede demanded. "Who is this man?"

"Perhaps it would be best if I answered your question, Kaede-sama," came a new voice from the door of the hut. "At any rate, I would like to take this chance to introduce myself."

Kaede turned to regard the newcomer, a tall, gaunt man in flowing black robes. A porcelain mask painted with red symbols covered his face. Long white hair, like Ichiro's spilled freely over his shoulders. his fingers were steepled in a contemplative gesture. Kaede leapt to her feet immediately, waving her hand toward her son. Ichiro was immediately enveloped in a shimmering cocoon of air. The child accepted the effects calmly.

"Daigotsu," Kaede hissed. "The Dark Master of the Void."

"Once, perhaps," Daigotsu responded calmly. "I have abandoned that false title as I have abandoned the false father I once served."

"I do not believe you!" said Kaede, summoning her incredible power to destroy the abomination before her. "I can sense the Taint within you!"

"My apologies," replied Daigotsu, turning his back and facing the door again. "I was unaware that your lover's campaign against Fu Leng was so well organized that you could afford to turn away those who would be your allies. I was clearly misinformed."

"Stop where you are, Daigotsu," she snarled.

"You cannot harm me, Oracle," he said over his shoulder. "An Oracle of Light can use her powers only in defense, and I have done you no harm. Fortunate for me, since you seem blind to the fact that without me, this village would have been razed by the Dark Lord's ashura. Those wretched things do not die easily, I can tell you that."

At those words, Kaede faltered. Doubt and suspicion warred in her eyes. The power of the Thunder Dragon was great, but it did not grant her the insight into the minds of others as the Void Dragon once had. She could see only the courage to fight evil, and as much as she hated to admit it, she saw great courage in Daigotsu.

"Shall I go or stay?" Daigotsu asked. "The choice is yours, Kaede-chan."

"Enough," she finally said, lowering her hand and allowing the gathering energy to dissipate. "I will hear what you have to say. But do nothing foolish, or you will discover that even in Fu Leng's Empire, Oracles are to be feared."

"Of course," he responded, bowing slightly as he turned to face her again. "Even were my intentions hostile, I give you my word that I would never harm you in your child's presence." He gestured to Ichiro. "No child should ever watch his mother die."

"Speak quickly, Daigotsu; my patience is not infinite," Kaede said.

Daigotsu nodded. "I will be brief." He strolled across the room and sat down at the meager table in the center of the hut. "Fu Leng betrayed me and I will see him pay for it. That is all."

Kaede shook her head. "That sounds far too simple."

The tall man shrugged. "Hate is uncomplicated. Fu Leng and his lackeys on the Dark Council believed that the Bloodspeakers were working against them. They believed that the Bloodspeaker spies were entering the Palace. As a result, they exterminated the entire cult."

"Why should you care about Bloodspeakers?" Kaede asked.

"Because my lover, Shahai, was one of them," Daigotsu said, looking at her evenly. "She was my entire world, and now she is gone. Tell me, Oracle, what would you do if the Dark Lord took Toturi from you?"

Kaede said nothing.

"Exactly," Daigotsu said. "And now you see why I fight. I do not care about these people. I do not care about Toturi. I do not care about you. I wish only to make the Dark Lord suffer."

"By yourself?" Kaede asked. "I find that unlikely, even for one such as you."

"I have associates," Daigotsu replied. "I have rebuilt the Bloodspeakers. There are many with a gift for maho but a strong distaste for the current regime. My power is great; I can grant others the strength of the Taint without Fu Leng's sanction. And with allies such as Kyobei," he nodded to the peasant, "we are raising the resources we need to mount an offense. Unfortunately, we lack the troops to pose a serious threat." He looked at Kaede. "If rumor is to be believed, Toturi has troops to spare, but no supplies. Is that correct?"

Kaede met Daigotsu's gaze and held it for several long moments. It felt like hours. The concept of allying with the Dark Master and his Bloodspeakers was so alien that Kaede could barely imagine it. And yet it would allow them a far improved chance of achieving their goal. At long last, she joined him at the table.

"Perhaps we can come to an arrangement," she said

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