Chapter 28: ROOFTOPS


    <hr>


    “The Shogun lives but is bewitched,” Takumi began. “He clings to life. But his oldest son, Kenshiro, was also assassinated, most likely by a rival family. The only remaining heir, Ryoma, has gone into hiding with his mother.”


    I didn’t know how I felt about the news. There’s no way the Shogun survived that.


    “Ember, you were the last one seen before the Shogun fell. There’s a manhunt for you and Cragmarr, believing you’re both responsible. No others have been identified.”


    Taikumi stepped toward me and put his hands on my shoulders.


    “Ember, you achieved the impossible and earned great honor with the Ninja faction. We’ve claimed this victory, thanks to you.”


    “But I didn’t do it. It was Emperor Edric—I saw him kill the Shogun with my own eyes.”


    “Edric the Emperor?” Kaito’s face darkened. “How?”


    I recounted the events of the Shogun’s death. Sora’s eyes narrowed in thought.


    “It must have been magic,” she said. “The chaos of the execution would have been the perfect cover to kill the Shogun. The Emperor faction will always strike at any opportunity.”


    “But it wasn’t just him. There were three Jingozi in the shadows, watching everything. Cragmarr, didn’t you say you could be killed by whatever you called it—a Jingozi duel?”


    Cragmarr’s expression turned grim.


    “Yes, three Jingozi must consent.”


    “That does explain it,” Taikumi agreed. “It was retaliation for the Samurai harboring a Jingozi defector.”


    “I saw the defector with Yukiko.”


    “That’s impossible,” Sora said.


    “I know what I saw, Sora.”


    “The Jingozi have been rumored to be at war within,” Taikumi said. “It appears they’re not different from the other factions. The Jingozi are a force beyond our control—their decrees are absolute. If they indeed commissioned the Shogun’s death, nothing can be done to stop it.”


    “Except I’m taking the fall…”


    Taikumi continued to share the aftermath. The prevailing hope was that the Shogun would survive the attempt on his life. If he lived to reveal the truth, the Samurai faction would retaliate with war against the Emperor. Or, he would die, and all the proverbial chips would be up for grabs. In the event of his death, the Samurai would unify under the Shogun’s heir, or rival families vying for power would fracture the faction further. Either way, I was currently public enemy number one.


    “We need to get you far from here, Ember,” Taikumi said, gesturing to Cragmarr. “Neither of you are safe in Samurai territory. They will stop at nothing to find you, and the Emperor faction may seize any opportunity to strike the South in its weakened state.”


    “Where can she go?” Kaito asked. “Where will Ember be safe?”


    “North,” Cragmarr said. “The Monk faction. “They are neutral in this war, and we may request sanctuary.” He looked at Sora. “Can you heal Ember to make the journey while I prepare?”


    Sora bowed.


    “And where are you going?” I asked Cragmarr.


    “I must secure passage for us.”


    “How do we travel through Samurai territory without being seen?”


    “The nexus,” Taikumi said.


    “Yes,” Cragmarr nodded.


    “At Thunder Temple? I don’t get it.”


    “You will see. We have very little time to get you to safety. Kaito will come with me. He will return here and bring you to Thunder Temple if it is safe.


    “Kaito…”


    “Don’t worry about me, Ember. I’ll be back soon.”


    * * *


    After Cragmarr, Taikumi, and Kaito left camp, Sora prepared to heal the remaining damage to my back. Cragmarr did what he could, but I still felt a lingering pain, making every movement a challenge. Kitty was gone exploring the woods, probably hunting for a snack.


    “Ready?” Sora asked.


    “I guess?”


    “Remove your clothes.”


    “Wait, what?” I stammered. “Cragmarr didn’t ask me to do that.”


    “The healing is more effective when the Zii directly contacts your body without any barriers.”


    “I don’t have a choice, do I?” I felt my face flush.


    “No.”


    “Can you turn around?”


    “No.”


    After a deep breath, I disrobed and lay face down on the cot by the fire.


    Sora began to move through the motions of Zii-Kata. I felt the air hum with Zii energy, building into a tangible vibration. Unlike Cragmarr’s raw power, Sora’s was more refined and controlled.


    She placed her hands on my back, her touch cool, and I braced myself. But this time, it was different. The pain was muted as if Sora controlled the intensity to make it more bearable.


    “Breathe with me, Ember. In and out, nice and slow.”


    I followed her lead, matching her breaths as she continued to work. The warmth spread through my back, reaching the places yet to mend. There were sharp spasms as the energy found the damaged areas, but Sora adjusted, easing the intensity before it became too much.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    She snapped her fingers, conjuring a Zii coin. With a gentle press, she melted the coin into the base of my spine, the energy seeping and weaving itself through the damage. The pain flared, but Sora’s voice kept me grounded.


    “Just a little more. You are doing well.”


    She repeated the process, pressing another coin higher up my spine. The pain was less intense each time, and the relief more thorough. As she worked, I felt my spine realign, popping like a chiropractic adjustment. My breaths came easier.


    Sora placed the last Zii coin at the nape of my neck, letting the energy flow through me one final time. The warmth radiated down my spine, soothing any remnants of pain.


    Sora leaned back, her face damp with sweat.


    “There,” she said. “It is done.”


    I twisted slightly, testing my range of motion. It wasn’t just my back—my entire body felt fully restored—with only the soreness of an intense workout.


    “Thank you, Sora,” I said, abruptly aware I was still naked. I wrapped myself in vain with my arms.


    “Sora? I’m sorry, but can you turn around this time? Please?”


    When I looked up, she was gone.


    * * *


    After nightfall, Kaito returned with Kitty in tow.


    “Look who I found.”


    Kitty jumped into my arms. Her entire body was covered in fine dirt as if she’d fallen into a bag of coffee grinds.


    “Looks like you’ve been busy, young lady. We’ll clean you up later.”


    “It’s time,” Kaito announced. “We need to get you back into Raishoto. Cragmarr is waiting at Thunder Temple.”


    I acknowledged him and glanced around, hoping to see Sora before we left.


    “Sora?” I asked.


    “There’s no time,” he shook his head. “She knows to meet us at the temple.”


    I swallowed my disappointment and draped Kitty onto my shoulders. We followed Kaito as he led us back toward the city. The forest gradually gave way to the outskirts of Raishoto. The plan was to enter through the underground tunnels, a network of hidden passages Kaito knew well.


    Our path was blocked. Samurai guards stood outside the caged gate of the tunnel, vigilantly scanning the area. There were too many well-positioned guards and no way to slip past them.


    Kaito cursed under his breath.


    “They weren’t here when I left,” he whispered. “There’s no way through without drawing attention. And most likely, they’ve covered all the others.”


    “What do we do?”


    “I’ll distract them. Once you get inside, don’t take the underground tunnels. Find a different way to the temple.”


    “No, Kaito.”


    “We don’t have time to argue. Trust me, Ember.”


    Kaito darted out from our cover and launched himself at the nearest guard with a drop kick. The Samurai were taken by surprise but, within seconds, gave chase as he fled along the base of the wall.


    I slipped through the tunnel and took the first opening into an alleyway. Blinking into the Jingozi arena, I searched the reflections for another way to the temple. The streets were littered with Samurai. My eyes landed on the rooftops above.


    I blinked back to the alley.


    “Hang on, girl.”


    I sprinted toward the nearest building, jumping to grab a ledge. My muscles still ached, but I pulled myself up and began to climb. The rooftops were an uneven mix of tiles and wood, but I found my stride, blinking in and out using Jingozi cards to propel my jumps and keep my momentum.


    A light rain drizzled the area, making my path slippery. But I let my instincts take over. Leaping from one rooftop to the next. I’d never felt this kind of freedom before, the wind rushing past me as I soared through the air.


    Kitty wasn’t on my shoulders anymore. Instead, she was racing beside me on another set of rooftops, effortlessly keeping pace. Show off.


    I pushed myself harder, my body reacting to each rooftop—each jump and landing more exhilarating than the last. The city blurred beneath me, and I let myself revel in the moment.


    We dropped from the final rooftop, landing near the temple gates, where Cragmarr waited. Kitty bounced to greet him.


    “You made it,” a voice startled me from behind.


    “How?” I said as Kaito emerged from the shadows.


    “Samurai are fat and slow. Looks like you took the rooftops. Impressive.”


    He extended his fist, and I couldn’t help but smile as I returned the bump—something I’d taught him and Hikari. Overwhelmed with emotion, I pulled him into a hug.


    Stepping onto the temple grounds, Master Fengbao greeted us with a prayerful bow.


    “Welcome. The nexus foretold your return.”


    * * *


    A group of Monks prayed in Thunder Hall, standing in a circle with their heads bowed and robes swaying in the ambient energy of the nexus.


    “Here, we can open a portal between nexus points,” Master Fengbao explained. “It will take you both to a temple within Monk faction territory, where you will be granted sanctuary.”


    “Are you coming, Kaito?” I asked.


    “My duty to the faction is here, Ember.”


    “Kaito… I don’t want to leave you behind.”


    His eyes glistened as he stepped closer, resting his hand on my shoulder.


    “This is the best way to keep you safe,” he said. “I’ll be fine. I know we’ll see each other again.”


    “Ember,” Master Fengbao said, “Your silverglint cannot make the journey.”


    “What? No.”


    “Kitty would not survive,” Cragmarr confirmed.


    “I’ll take care of her until you return,” Kaito said.


    I felt devastated as Kitty whimpered. I lifted her to look into her eyes.


    “You be a good girl, Kitty. Take care of Kaito until I see you again soon, okay?”


    She licked my nose, and I set her down. She ran behind Kaito, wrapping her tail around his leg, and continued to whimper.


    “Thank you, Kaito. For everything. I don’t know how to say goodbye to both of you.”


    It was his turn to pull me into a tight embrace.


    “It’s not goodbye, Ember. Just a pause. Stay safe, and trust Cragmarr to keep you out of trouble.”


    “I will,” tears spilled down my cheeks. “But I’ll miss you.”


    Kaito was different now, older and more mature than when we first met.


    Master Fengbao signaled the Monks, who chanted in unison, their voices rising and falling in a rhythmic cadence. The air thickened with energy as glowing symbols appeared on the floor, forming a swirling portal in the center of the Monks’ formation. The light intensified, filling the room.


    “The nexus is ready,” Master Fenbao said. “It will take you to the temple monastery up north. You must step in now.”


    I reached for Cragmarr’s hand and glanced back at Kaito and Kitty one last time.


    “Stay safe,” Kaito called out. “Avenge Hikari.”


    You bet your ass, I will.


    With a final bow to Master Fengbao, Cragmarr and I entered the portal. The energy enveloped us, weightlessness taking hold as everything blurred and twisted. The light grew brighter until there was nothing but the overwhelming sensation of being pulled through time and space.


    Just as quickly, I found myself standing on solid ground, the air cool and crisp, our new surroundings coming into focus. I checked for Cragmarr, who was already scanning the room.


    It was a vast temple hall, the air smelling like fresh grass and rain. The walls were carved from dark stone, etched with intricate patterns pulsing faintly with energy. It was similar to Thunder Temple, but the atmosphere here felt more grounded somehow… I couldn’t explain it… more connected. Tall columns lined the hall, reaching the ceiling and disappearing into the shadows above.


    LEVEL UPDATE


    Name: Ember [Doctrine Dealer]


    Tier: II [Bronze] Rank 9


    FEAT COMPLETE: EXPLORE THE NEXUS


    Visit 3 nexus locations.


    Bonus: Additional rewards are granted for every nexus you find from this point.


    It appeared that Jingozi tech worked at this location. But something felt off—very off—and the silence was unsettling. No Monks greeted us, and no chants filled the air. The only sound was the soft echo of our footsteps.


    “This is… strange,” my voice broke the stillness. “Where is everyone?”


    Cragmarr frowned beside me, his eyes narrowing.


    “Indeed. This monastery should be filled with activity. Stay close and be ready.”


    We both loaded our Jingozi cards and pressed on—a sudden shiver coming over me. I couldn’t shake the feeling the nexus wasn’t the only presence here, even though the entire place appeared deserted.


    “Hello?” I called out. “Is anyone here?”


    My voice dissolved in the air, swallowed by the emptiness. We continued down a series of twisting corridors, each as silent as the last. The architecture was familiar yet different—instead of depicting monastic warriors, symbols of mountains and trees decorated the walls.


    Around a corner, I caught a glimpse of movement—a figure darting into the next hallway.


    “Wait!” I shouted, breaking into a sprint. Cragmarr followed close behind.


    We turned another corner and finally caught sight of the figure—a Monk, his robes fluttering as he hurried down the hall. I ran harder, closing the distance between us.


    “Hey, stop! We just wanna talk!”


    The Monk skidded to a halt, glancing back with wide, panicked eyes. He looked barely more than a novice, his face pale with sweat. He was young, clean-shaven with bright blue eyes.


    “What’s going on?” I asked as we reached him. “Where is everyone?”


    The Monk kept fidgeting as he shook his head.


    “I—I can’t stop. The temple… we’re all going to die.”


    “Woah, slow down, friend. What do you mean we’re—”


    I saw the bodies.