“Greatness? What is true greatness?”

  “Now you must prove to the world, and to yourself, that you are a man who is worthy of creating change. Is that not why you joined me those many years ago?”

  “No man can claim greatness as if it is something to be grasped. Money, political power, fame, these are things one can achieve. But true greatness, that can only be found within.”

  “If I become the Raijin, Kondo, you will surely die.”

  “I hate you, Kondo Daisuke, make no mistake. But I do not desire to see you die, alone, without a single soul to mourn you. I hope that you do become as great as you hope to be, and when you do, I hope you use that power to help others have a better life. Better than mine at least.”

  “With these hands, I took the dagger...her neck...the pool of blood! Oh, what have I done!”

  “This place is sacred… as you say, no god has helped me in my moment of need. But even I, an unbeliever, would not go about defiling a shrine.”

  “Greatness? What is true greatness?”

  Kondo Daisuke opened his eyes. This was a strange sensation, for he did not anticipate ever doing such a thing again. He knew immediately that something extraordinary had happened, for his heart was beating in his chest with wondrous excitement, as if right before a great moment of triumph.

  “I live?” he wondered to himself. “How can this be?”

  Indeed, he had composed his own death poem, and he felt his life ebbing away until all faded to black.

  Kondo moved his eyes side to side. He could move them, yes, but his vision was somewhat cloudy, opaque. There appeared to be a red veil over him, or else he was still unconscious. Slowly, he mindfully examined parts of his body. His arms, his legs, and even his toes were intact.

  “I live!” he repeated, this time with greater certainty than before.

  He then extended his mindfulness to the outside of his body. He was laying on some kind of cloth, or blanket, and his body was rocking methodically side to side. Occasionally there would be a bump that would startle him. Perhaps this is why he finally woke up.

  “A cart?” he thought, forming a conclusion. “I am on a cart. It is being drawn by horse, for I can smell the horse.

  He then lifted his arm and held it over his face. It was thoroughly bandaged, and the skill was impressive, for his wounds were healing.

  Then Kondo remembered the battle at the West Bailey, and the wrath of Gintaro, the Thunderlord, the Raijin. Pain seemed to return, but momentarily, for Kondo cast that memory out of his mind, and returned to the moment at hand.

  His face felt warm. There was sun above him. The air held a tinge of pine, so he was amid trees. There was someone humming an old hymn, though he could not remember the words.

  Someone was driving him. Someone had aided him. But who? Who could it be?

  Kondo moved to sit up, but a great searing pain prevented him from doing so. He collapsed backwards with a cry. Though he could not rise, this attempt had not been fruitless, for the driver had noticed the movement, and Kondo felt the cart come to a stop. He could hear the heavy breathing of the driver, and the careful footsteps onto grass and then up the side of the cart.

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  The red cover was flung aside, and for several moments Kondo was blinded by the sun overhead. He held up his arms to shield himself from its intensity, but gradually, his tolerance increased. Soon he could see the outline of someone’s head hanging over him, partially blocking out the sun.

  This head belonged to an old man. Kondo knew he was old, for he could perceive the lines of age upon the old man’s face. Yet there was a strange youthfulness in the man’s eyes, a kind of vigor not often seen even in men his age. And he was smiling.

  “Oh ho! So he lives!” the man exclaimed, inspecting Kondo with care.

  “Who are you?” Kondo whispered in return, his voice was strained and raspy, for it had been unused for some time.

  The old man moved a bit closer, so he consumed more of Kondo’s view. “I am Mori. I am a doctor, you see. Or I was…”

  Kondo appeared confused, so Mori continued. “I was leaving the castle grounds, and on my way out I found you, yes, lying there on the flat earth. I thought you were dead!”

  “I thought I was dead too,” Kondo thought.

  “You were pierced like a pincushion! And what is worse, your mind seemed to be broken. But you were not yet dead. I could not just leave you there to die. I thought it was some strange portent, and so I used the best of my medicines to keep you alive. Carefully, I have tended to these wounds. It was touch and go, really, and many times I thought you were done for. But your body is strong, dare I say impressively hardy, and your spirit, once roused, would not give up. You reminded me of one of my other patients…” he said this, and his voice trailed off.

  “Doctor, forgive me if I do not thank you for saving my life,” Kondo breathed. “I wanted to die.”

  “Your mind desired death, this is true,” Mori agreed. “Yet your body and spirit resisted it. But I do not need your thanks. As I said, I could not pass by without attempting to help, knowing that I had the means of which to save you. It would be impossible for me.” He paused. “Would you like to sit up?”

  Kondo nodded, and so with an effort, Doctor Mori leaned forward and assisted him up. The pain was so great that Kondo’s hands gripped the wooden cart so hard that he thought he would splinter the wood, but eventually he was able to maintain his position and relax. He felt lightheaded for a few moments but then was able to focus once again.

  From that position he was able to look around. They had stopped on a small dirt road in the middle of a forest. The trees had been pushed back somewhat, so that the sun could easily reach the path without obstruction. The sun was warm, but now that he was uncovered, Kondo could feel a slight chill in the air. In the distance ahead, he could see the outline of tall mountains, with jagged, snowcapped peaks.

  “Where are we?” Kondo asked after he had seen enough.

  To this Mori grinned embarrassingly. “Well, you see, I am not quite sure. I planned on taking one of the paths towards the Old Capital, but now I do not know where I ended up.”

  Kondo studied the man again, who chuckled quietly as a sign of mild distress. He could see that he wore an attendant’s robe, which meant that he belonged to the House of the Shōgun. But how and why he was so far away from the New Capital and his lord, Kondo could not guess.

  “Judging by those peaks,” Kondo said, pointing towards the mountains. “And the fact that Daisen must be behind us,” he turned and confirmed that this was true. “We are heading into the Koyama Mountain Region if we proceed further. That is not the way to the Old Capital, Doctor Mori.”

  “Ah, so it is,” Mori said, turning red. “We must turn back then.”

  Kondo shook his head. “That is not necessary. If we continue on, we should reach the town of Aoyama. From there, we can turn southwest towards the Old Capital. It is a rural, mountainous road, but it will eventually reach the Nagamichi Highway.”

  “I see you know much about these lands,” Mori said, consenting to his plan. “I can tell you have traveled much.”

  “Too much,” Kondo answered, and then was struck by a sharp pang in the abdomen.

  “Ah, we overdid it! Rest, my friend,” Mori commanded, helping Kondo lay back down. “You are still in no shape for too much activity. I will care for you the best I can, and when you are ready, you may depart from me. I have no hold over you, so be comforted. Yet, if we are to be traveling companions for a bit longer, may I know your name?”

  Kondo smiled bleakly. “My name?” he thought. “No one knows my name. No one cares. After all I have done, I am still no one.”

  “Kondo,” he finally answered. “My name is Kondo Daisuke.”

  “Very well Kondo-san,” Mori said with a short bow. “That is enough. For now, get some rest. I will keep my old eyes open for Aoyama.”