“For too long we have lived, fat and prosperous on the back of the machine, on the fuel that drives it. But there comes a time when the price grows too high, when the oil runs too red, when we begin building our lives on the shattered lives of others. And at the last, the machine we once controlled ends up controlling us.
“Some in this land would have you bleed for them now, to plant their flag where another’s once flew. Others would have you light a fire, to make ashes of the endless fields, to reduce those five-sided slave pits on the hill to rubble. A few would have you do nothing at all. To remain meek and cowed, to bow your heads and accept what the machine hands you. They are not afraid of you. But they should be. The few should fear the many.”
She held out her arms, showing the terrible scar where irezumi must once have been.
“I believe that when the engines that poison our land and choke our sky lie rusting in the earth, we will be free. Free to choose a new path. A path that will not end with our destruction, or the destruction of the world around us. I do not know what that new path will be. I only know that it will be better than this. That it is not too late.”
She turned and vaulted onto the back of the waiting thunder tiger. The beast opened his beak and roared, and the sound of his wings was a breaking storm.
“Each of you must decide where you stand,” she called. “All we ask is that you refuse to kneel. You are the people. You have the power. Open your eyes. Open your minds. Then close the fingers on your hand.”
The arashitora leaped into the air, lightning crackling across the tips of its feathers. Up, up into the choking skies they soared, the sound of beating wings building like the storm to come. And with a fierce cry, they wheeled away and turned back to the north, to bring fire and smoke and the promise of a new day.
Sumiko watched them fly away, the scent of fresh flowers filling her lungs.
She looked around at the assembled people, young and old, man and woman and child, each face upturned and alight with wonder.
She nodded her head.
And into the poisoned air, she raised a fist.
Glossary
General Terms Arashitora —literally “stormtiger.” A mythical creature with the head, forelegs and wings of an eagle, and the hindquarters of a tiger. Thought to be long extinct, these beasts were traditionally used as flying mounts by the caste of legendary Shima heroes known as “Stormdancers.” These beasts are also referred to as “thunder tigers.”
Ar ashi-no- odoriko—literally “Stormdancer.” Legendary heroes of Shima’s past, who rode arashitora into battle. The most well-known are Kitsune no Akira (who slew the great sea dragon Boukyaku) and Tora Takehiko (who sacrificed his life to close Devil Gate and stop the Yomi hordes escaping into Shima).
Blood Lotus —a toxic flowering plant cultivated by the people of Shima. Blood lotus poisons the soil in which it grows, rendering it incapable of sustaining life. The blood lotus plant is utilized in the production of teas, medicines, narcotics and fabrics. The seeds of the bloom are pro cessed by the Lotus Guild to produce “chi,” the fuel that drives the machines of the Shima Shōgunate.
Burakumin —a low-born citizen who does not belong to any of the four zaibatsu clans.
Bushido—literally “the Way of the Warrior.” A code of conduct adhered to by the samurai caste. The tenets of Bushido are: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor and loyalty. The life of a Bushido follower is spent in constant preparation for death; to die with honor intact in the service of their Lord is their ultimate goal.
Bushiman—a common-born soldier who has sworn to follow the Way of Bushido.
Chan—a diminutive suffix applied to a person’s name. It expresses that the speaker finds the person endearing. Usually reserved for children and young women.
Chi—literally “blood.” The combustible fuel which drives the machines of the Shima Shōgunate. The fuel is derived from the seeds of the blood lotus plant.
Daimyo—a powerful territorial lord that rules one of the Shima zaibatsu. The title is usually passed on through heredity.
Fushicho—literally “Phoenix.” One of the four zaibatsu clans of Shima. The Phoenix clan live on the island of Yotaku (Blessings) and venerate Amaterasu, Goddess of the Sun. Traditionally, the greatest artists and artisans in Shima come from the Phoenix clan. Also: the kami guardian of the same zaibatsu, an elemental force closely tied to the concepts of enlightenment, inspiration and creativity.
Gaijin—literally “foreigner.” A person not of Shimanese descent. The Shima Shōgunate has been embroiled in a war of conquest in the gaijin country of Morcheba for over twenty years.
Hadanashi—literally “someone skinned alive.” A derisive term used by Guildsmen to describe the rest of the Shima populace.