Servants dressed in formal garbs hurried like scurrying mice. They could be carrying anything from baskets of food, cloth, intricate objects to scrolls and talismans. They were heaving as they barely had the luxury to even take a breather. Wardens and ladies in waiting yelled impatiently, pointing at the directions the poor souls obeyed to follow. But none dared to complain, not even as much as a moan. The last girl who did it lost her job in a blink of an eye. None of the palace servant girls wanted that.

Now the castle they were in had floors coated in ebony color--so clean that one could see their reflection. The walls were decorated with the history of an emperor and his four sons. It captured the glory of his days of reign and even his days as a warrior prince. Some paper walls even displayed his fight in the War of the Dragons. That was the favorite story of the great high priest of Nichikyo.

His hands were tucked into the insides of his sleeves, hiding them away. But his delighted smile didn't hide. They were in full view. The corners of his lips ever so slightly curved upward. It was practically an almost smile, except that's the biggest smile the priest seemed to be capable of.

"Legend says that the king defied the general his father trusted, proclaiming that the gods above have inspired him of the plan to fight the horror of ghosts and demons. They refused to listen to him, but when the emperor recklessly followed the will of the gods, the spirit of Nikkoyoku the Dragon of the Sun came upon him and gave him immeasurable power. He is the pinnacle of greatness," said Hakaku, turning to the grim man beside him.

Issen sighed as he fixed the unexistent folds of his shokutai. He knew that his most trusted adviser was fond of the legends of the Land of the Rising Sun, but he couldn't help but feel a little tired hearing it so often. Hakaku was practically his grandmother in another person.

"Nichikyo is having its public execution today, let us not talk about legends and myths, brother," said Issen, the emperor.

"Ah, well, dear emperor, your word is absolute. The public executions though keep people talking how just and noble you are," Hakaku replied with gently. "But may I remind you that my little birds have yet to confirm that the heir of the Masashi clan has returned to our shores. She's still in the Land of Fire we believe."

"And the shikabane?"

"Spreading. It's spreading like fire, unfortunately."

A loud bang of cymbal suddenly echoed through the city, indicating that it was now time. Everyone knew that it meant the public execution is about to begin. Immediately people began to flock towards the castle, though a lot have been waiting at the best seats already.

"It's almost time," said the emperor. "Let's discuss this east village issue afterward."

Hakaku bowed his head slightly. "Of course, your highness."

Issen sighs as he strides past the priest and towards the Hall of Heroes. Men and women bearing all kinds of weapons of war, wearing their armor to glory. There was blood, fire, armies, and the sun was painted on the canvas walls. Days of War and Glory was the named era for those bloody times, but people admired it because it shaped the empire. There were more paintings of the Thousand Stories throughout the Imperial Sun Palace, but the halls that led out towards the city had dragons of gold color leading the way. Their eyes seem to peer into the souls of the two men walking, seeing what was in their hearts. 

Lines of men in white stood like statues as they awaited the descending of their emperor and his grand adviser. White-snow veils covered their faces while their tall black hats rested on the crowns of their heads. In their hands were golden spears with the blades mimicking the designs of a flame. Though each blade had different trinkets hanging by the bottom of the head, representing the families they came from. This was an honor and an act of duty for the country, none can reject the chance to work as one of the Imperials Glaives. As Issen and Hakaku passed, the warriors in white bowed

No echoes resonated through the hall as Issen descended walked with Hakaku. So it would seem that the wind almost carried the men off their feet, only allowing them to slightly touch the ground. That was how the rumor went through the whispering voices of the capital city. Then as the men walked closer to the doors to the people who awaited, the sounds of jeers and cries echoed in a deafening tone. 

"Death to them!"

"Send them to hell!"

"Serves them right!"

"Kill them all!!"

Those were the words the voices kept screaming at the top of their lungs. The emperor could feel it--their burning hate for the criminals who've made the world dark and cold. It toughened up the man immediately as he feared the worst as he would step out. Hakaku kept a calm face with a little smile on his lips. Right in front of them was the only thing hiding them from view. the curtain. Issen hesitated opening it, but he felt encouraged when Hakaku gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder.

The deep violet eyes the two had a depth like a well's would. One brother with dark hair like the night's in the limelight of imperial reign and power, Issen. The other brother with hair white as a dove's chest but controls the affairs of the shadows, Hakaku. Together they open the curtain wall in front of them and instantly cheers of delight followed. Like the emperor he is, Issen waved his hand to his fans with a gentle and kind smile on his face. His brother followed him from behind like an obedient dog.

"Tenno-sama!" Voices cried in admiration. Yes, Issen was a loved emperor who wasn't scared to show his strength, especially to thieves, murderers, rapists, especially. . . traitors.

Before him was another flight of stairs and at the bottom was a wooden platform where the twelve criminals to be executed were forced to their knees. Iron cuffs pinned them down with special needles in them to prevent movement. They were dressed in white and gray haoris, fully washed and clean even groomed for this execution. Then beside each one of them was men in black haoris with black veils to cover half their faces. They each carried a katana, the death blade. Some of the criminals were screaming to be wriggled free, though others refused to cry a single tear despite the look of fear so clearly in their eyes. One, though, in particular, was astonishingly calm, as though he had made peace with himself. 

Perhaps he had, perhaps not.

His eyes were merely shut close and blocked out all the noise around him. But opened when he heard Issen speak.

"Dear citizens of Nichikyo! Once again we execute criminals on the twelfth day of the month as a warning for criminals in this city. All acts against the law are punishable by death, and it is my duty as emperor to speak of my duties. This land must be cleansed. Starting with this city."

Cheers erupted immediately, causing Issen to smile. He turns to signal the executioner to start swinging his sword but was interrupted by loud, amused laughter coming from the unusually calm man who was set to die that day.

Everyone instantly silenced at the man's reaction. Heads were shaking, voices murmuring, "who is that man?" 

Issen didn't like the man at all.

"Bullshit." Boomed the man. "This is all bullshit. . . I am a man under the White Dragon pledge! You'll regret this."

"The one you're serving isn't here, and she has much to answer," replied Issen, narrowing his eyes. "She, along with you her underling, will pay for crimes against the empire."

Again, the man chuckled.

"We did nothing. She did nothing. This is innocent blood you're spilling."

Issen didn't let the man continue. He nodded to the executioners and they all raised their katanas and swung. The movement was so fast that it was invisible to those who aren't trained with the sword, but even then just barely.

Heads fell, and the mysterious man's head went down with a. . .

Plop.

* * * * * * * *

His mind was in turmoil recalling the man's last words. Innocent blood? How can that be true? The imperial investigators have gone and confirmed that the walk of the undead stemmed from Taiyogakure. They have interrogated and interviewed every survivor in the village, and their story all begins the same way. The woman married, had a child, but her husband killed their kid and thus executed for it. The next event brought horror and death to all in the village: the undead. It would be plausible to say that Yoshie was behind the sorcery.

Being in the garden couldn't ease his mind, not even the birdsongs helped. Sipping warm tea didn't help either. His eyes fly over to his brother who donned a deep violet shokutai, matching the priest's eyes. It had golden dragons embroidered all over it. His silvery hair tied into a low ponytail that was loosely worn. Issen though donned a golden-colored shokutai to resemble the sun, and his dark raven hair was a contrast to his clothing. The two though had identical faces, unlike their personalities.

Hakaku seemed to enjoy the scenery though while reading reports his little birds have sent him. He didn't bother to let his brother read, it wasn't like Issen wanted to anyway. Hakaku simply passed the message once he finished reading. He knew his brother was eager to hear the news about the woman samurai gone rogue. 

"So is it true? Sacrificing Lady Yoshie Masashi to Nikkoyoku would destroy the army of the undead?" Issen didn't seem entirely convinced, but magic and sorcery exactly his suite of confidence. But if believing would save his people, he would. Rumor has it that the daughter of the Samurai Lord of Taiyogakure somehow opened the gateway to an apocalypse that might swallow all of the Land of the Rising Sun if they don't do anything. But somehow, after four years did Issen finally hear about Yoshie being the reason behind it all.

The white-haired priest stopped his reading and faced his brother. "Yes, being that Lady Yoshie is the reason the apocalypse started after all. My little birds were fortunate to discover that she studied the Art of the Sun and Moon, a very old technique for yin and yang balance. I've never seen any of the manuscripts but from my studies they involve matters of life and death. Learning it could allow the user to stop chakra flow, learn breathing techniques useful for battle. Thus, it would be very possible that she studied--"

"Bringing back the dead from life and manipulating them?"

"Yes. . Issen." Hakaku took his teacup beside him and drank. The dark-haired emperor watched him as he did so. "How dreadful. Isn't it, brother?"

Issen nodded.

"Love. . indeed can blind."

Nodding his head, Hakaku looked at towards the beyond. Simply feeling the gentle breeze upon his face. He couldn't help but chuckle at his brother's statement. It was funny, hearing it from a married man. But this serenity dispersed at the sudden appearance of a masked figure in black. The mask resembled the face of a fox, though black with red and white designs.

"Lord Hakaku," a deep voice grunted and hands the white-haired priest a scroll.

"Is it good news?" Asked the man.

"I apologize for bringing terrible news." Was the grim reply.

Slowly he opened the scroll and took his time to thoroughly read the message. Once he finished, the scroll began to burn in his hand with yellow fire. He told the man he could go, but not before whispering something into his ear.

"What news did he bring, brother?" Issen asked, not reassured with the serious look on Hakaku's face.

"Nine more villages have been swallowed by the undead. We could only thank for the samurai to push back these abominations, but we don't know how long we can last. Each lost village is only a means to increase their numbers."

"Then we shall act fast," said Issen, standing up. "How far are these monsters?"

"Four hundred miles away. The Black Dragon Clan is building an earth wall thanks to their special abilities to keep them out. But there's no reassurance how long that would keep them at bay."

"Killing Lady Yoshie is absolutely the only way?" Issen asked hesitantly. "Killing the White Dragon would create an imbalance whose consequence we can't even yet fathom."

"There are measures we must take if we are to save everyone else. One life for the rest. It's a necessary sacrifice, brother." Hakaku claps his hands and immediately eight figures appeared in the garden.

They were all in black just like the other, but they had black kasa with death written in kanji on them. Then their faces were hidden by demon masks that displayed fearsome expressions. Each carried a variety of weapons, each wore their uniform differently. But they all had the same deathly aura. They reeked of death as they belonged in the shadows of night, underneath the bed, behind the door, wherever the eye cannot see.

"I see that you're already prepared," said Issen with an impressed face. "As expected of the Imperial Adviser."

"They'll do the job," said Hakaku, dismissing his brother's earlier compliment. "Lady Yoshie may be skilled, but surely she cannot be strong enough to defeat the Eight Shadows of Death. . after all. ."

One of the eight politely comes forward. Taking in silent footsteps and places something in front of the emperor. His movements were so dainty and fluid, but Issen only realized why when he realized the individual was the smallest of the bunch. But his attention went back to the gift presented to him: wrapped in white cloth were eight headbands that had the symbol of a leaf. Issen didn't recognize the symbol, but he knew it was foreign.

"They got to capture Lady Yoshie's companions."

~~~

Number of words: 2533

Hey, guys!! I'm back with Chapter 24! I'm really sorry I took long, uni isn't easy one bit but it was the most fruitful for me in line for the career I've chosen. I barely get sleep, I got thinner, but I guess I got smarter. Well, shiiit, hahaha.

I know the chapter isn't action-packed and it introduced two brothers, Issen and Hakaku. Who they are and how they're relevant it will be revealed in time. I'm sure ya'll want to know where Yoshie and Obito are and why the hell these eight badass dudes manage to take eight from the fifteen minus Akamaru and Kiyo. Welp, I hope this was a good filler chapter because there'll be lot of blood, sweat, and tears soon ;)

Thank you all for waiting patiently. It really means a lot, I swear. I won't mind any feedback, so feel free to say whatever you want, haha <3 Sorry that it couldn't be any longer, but welp.

- Rai

PS. I miss writing sm ;;;