It happened an eternity ago. All that was and will ever be churned and boiled endlessly in the heart of the universe. Eons passed and from the primordial essence of the cosmos or Ne, came two beings. The Spirit King and the Moon Queen. They were the first beings to form from the largest clumps of Ne and watched in awe as creation formed around them. Eons passed as they relished their time together in the age of chaos. However, the time eventually came for all the Ne to settle and when it did, the Spirit King and Moon Queen were mortified to learn that he had been sealed in separate realms, with the Spirit King being trapped in the spirit realm. He then spent the following eons trying to reunite with his beloved. The spirit realm would eventually become home to countess beings while the Spirit King searched for ways to access the physical world. He failed repeatedly and ultimately locked himself in his palace as sorrow consumed him.

Nae’s concentration was interrupted by the sound of someone entering her tent.

She opened her eyes and bowed deeply before the bronze dragon statue in front of her.

“Victory draws ever nearer, my dear. I suggest you take a short respite from praying and join us in celebration.” A deep and gruff voice said.

Nae sighed before turning around to find a large armored man who swayed back and forth by the tent’s entrance.

“Need I remind you that the capital still stands. That and general Sakaeru Hokubu and her dogs have yet to make their appearance.” Nae said with a voice so soft, it was almost inaudible.

The burly man let out a grunt before stumbling towards Nae’s bed.

He then sat by her side, filling the air with the smell of Sake.

“You worry too much. That mongrel is probably knee deep in snow along with her mutts in those damned mountains right now.” The man said as he wrapped his big arms around Nae.

“It is you who worries to little. I doubt that Hokubu will sit idly by as we burn the capital. Something is definitely wrong and her absence is… troubling me.” Nae said with a sigh as the man ran his fingers through her long black hair.

“That, my dear, is why Sake exists. Trust me. You may be overestimating Hokubu’s abilities. Victory is near, as I said. Soon we’ll take the capital and usher in a new age. One where Chūshin's people aren’t bound by the archaic codes of lords past. It’s almost too simple.” The man said.

“That doesn’t sound simple at all.” Nae said with a lowered head.

“It really is-“

“General Tsuchi! General Tsuchi!”

Someone cried from outside the tent.

“What is it?” The general asked.

“The Great General Kasai Netsu has Risen from death! He is now leading a retaliation force at Chōten's southern gate!”

The voice from before yelled.

Nae and Tsuchi exchanged perplexed glances.

“Go! I’ll be there in a moment.” Nae said.

Tsuchi nodded before rushing out of the tent.

Nae then quickly glanced at the bronze statue behind her.

She bit her teeth before standing and hurriedly wearing her Kimono.

She then exited her tent to find countless soldiers running back and fourth in a large encampment that sat by the edge of a forest.

Atop almost every tent, sat q flag embellished with a downward facing black semicircle.

The light of the setting sun cast deep shadows across the land, but none were deeper than that cast by the pillar of smoke that rose from the burning city to the northeast.

Chōten.

Nae quickly shook herself out of her trance before running into one of the larger tents.

“What do you mean? How could she have gotten here so fast without us knowing?”

Someone yelled as countless people sat around Tsuchi and a few others.

“I don’t know. I think with we should focus on Netsu and the southern gate. We take it, we take Chōten.” Tsuchi said.

“But won’t that mean a large chunk of our men will be trapped in that damned city?”

Someone asked.

Nae then temporarily blocked out everyone’s voices as she thought about the situation the forces of Kuroppoi found themselves in. Or more accurately, she thought about what instructions she’d give Tsuchi after all the new information was digested.

This campaign had lasted several months and the main force had only recently arrived at Chōten’s gates.

Supplies were running low and losses were heavy.

Tsuchi was smart enough to know that he’d have to quickly sever the serpent’s head in order to make any sort of progress and that’s exactly what he did.

Killing general Netsu was difficult, but it did give him the opening Nae needed.

That is until news of Netsu’s supposed revival arrived.

Nae didn’t want to believe it, but according to the panicked yells that filled the room, the northerners were regrouping. The serpent’s head had grown anew and on top of all of that, Nae knew that Hokubu's presence would only complicate things even further.

“Maybe it’s a ploy by the northerners!”

Someone yelled.

“Unlikely. Even as we speak, reports speak of Netsu’s presence on the battlefield.”

“Pardon my saying, general Tsuchi, but weren’t you supposed to ensure that Netsu was dead?”

Someone asked.

“Indeed, I was. But now is not the time to dwell on the past. We must think about our next move.” Tsuchi said prompting almost everyone to hum in agreement.

“Their farms burn and if Netsu truly lives, he is most likely wounded. I say we pour all we have into one massive push for the southern gate!”

“No.” Nae said, silencing Tsuchi in an instant.

“Insolent wench! You’re not even supposed to be here-“

“Calm down! Nae, return to your tent. We’ll talk as soon as I’m finished here.” Tsuchi said, interrupting a soldier who had placed his hand on the hilt of his katana.

Nae deeply bowed before leaving the tent only to get knocked over by a group of rushing soldiers.

She fell onto the cold, damp ground and watched as countless wounded were moved into the surrounding tents.

Nae had long gotten used to the smell of death, but that didn’t mean it’s effects on her had lessened.

She slowly stood up and returned to her tent where she removed her mud covered kimono.

She then sat on her bed and grabbed several maps that sat nearby.

She poured over their contents, even in the darkness of the tent, helped only by the faint light of the moon.

The minutes crawled by and the sounds of yells and cheers from a certain tent came and went.

Nae tried her best to ignore them as she grabbed another map.

“Nae.”

Someone called from outside.

“Come in.” Nae said and Tsuchi entered the tent shortly after.

“You should be more mindful of your surroundings.” Tsuchi said.

“That’s not what matters. What does is the fact that we’re about to lose all of the progress we fought so hard for.” Nae said, her voice slightly louder than before.

“I need you to take the capital and I need the emperor-“

Tsuchi placed his hand on Nae’s cheek, effectively silencing her.

“You worry too much. All we need to do is regroup and find the best way to take the capital without leaving ourselves open for Hokubu to attack. I truly believe that we can break through the southern line, even with Netsu there.”

“Aren’t you reacting a little too calmly to all this?” Nae asked with an unamused expression.

“Yes.” Tsuchi said with a faint smile.

He then fell backwards and rested his head on his hands.

“You know, it’s been almost two years since we met and you still haven’t told me why you want the emperor specifically. Is it due to his rumoured divine heritage?” Tsuchi asked.

“Your guess is extremely close to the truth.” Nae said.

“Oh? Are you perhaps connected to the divine in some way?”

“No. I am a lowly, simple soul. A speck, in the grand dunes of existence. Much like you. What I am doesn’t matter. That, however, does not mean that the task I was giving holds little importance.” Nae said flatly.

“Mmm… when we first met, in that dried oasis, all that time ago, I knew that you were special. You showed me many things and taught me many arts that still fascinate me to this day. Although I must admit that even with all that, I barely know you.” Tsuchi said as Nae rested her head on his chest.

“You know enough.” She said softly.

“Is that so? That’s fine, I guess.” Tsuchi said with a chuckle.

“Your ambitions aside, I must say that I am thankful for our meeting. Kuroppoi is flourishing thanks to what you taught me. I only wish it didn’t have to he this way-“

“You’re lying.” Nae said bluntly.

“Oh? Can you tell?”

“You have enjoyed every bit of this campaign. Victory and loss alike. It’s almost as though you thrive in this environment.” Nae said as her eyelids slowly fell.

“Hehe. Perhaps. I am a soldier at heart, after all. I was born in a war torn Chūshin and I’ll probably die as the flames of war engulf these lands. However, I don’t plan on dying until Kuroppoi becomes Chūshin’s true capital.” Tsuchi said before realizing that Nae had fallen asleep.

He let out a faint chuckle before sneaking out of her tent.