The Return of a Fallen Hero
A pounding resounds through Hida Castle as the ancient gates rock with the force of the blows. It is a beating, like of fist against steel, but greater than a mortal samurai...and less than Oni. As the Hiruma open the gate warily, a faint light shines through, red as blood, the heavens on fire from the sunset. He stands in the shadow of the Wall, the Dark Lands at his back. Taller than most Crab, once this was a man to be feared, a man known as a brother. Now, he opens a rotted hand and bows a bloody knee.
"I am... Amoro. Son... of Hida."
The shame of his Taint burns your blood, and you think to slam the door, cleave him in two, destroy the monstrosity that stands upon your doorstep. But as you reach for your tetsubo of jade, his stained voice hisses yet again.
"I wish to die with honor, in the service of my... clan. I know no peace in the Shadowlands. I have seen the path you must take, to destroy the Shadow within the mountains. It lies in a city far to the south, where the spirits of the dead scream in torment. I have seen them - our ancestors - destroyed by the Darkness. The call of Fu Leng forces me to rise again, but I... I wish only to fulfill my oath as a berzerker. Allow me to stand by the side of the Crab, and lead you to that place. Let me die as a son of Hida, in the service of my clan, and I will finally know peace. I will not fail you..."
"Not again..."
The zombie, clad in Crab armor and in shame, awaits his brother's reply.
"I am... Amoro. Son... of Hida."
The shame of his Taint burns your blood, and you think to slam the door, cleave him in two, destroy the monstrosity that stands upon your doorstep. But as you reach for your tetsubo of jade, his stained voice hisses yet again.
"I wish to die with honor, in the service of my... clan. I know no peace in the Shadowlands. I have seen the path you must take, to destroy the Shadow within the mountains. It lies in a city far to the south, where the spirits of the dead scream in torment. I have seen them - our ancestors - destroyed by the Darkness. The call of Fu Leng forces me to rise again, but I... I wish only to fulfill my oath as a berzerker. Allow me to stand by the side of the Crab, and lead you to that place. Let me die as a son of Hida, in the service of my clan, and I will finally know peace. I will not fail you..."
"Not again..."
The zombie, clad in Crab armor and in shame, awaits his brother's reply.
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