Awaken

1454 mid-Muromachi Period : New Year's Day, Shanghai

The sun rose apprehensively in the east, the air still fogged and heavy with the scent of fireworks from the night before. The waters of Lake Tai were calm now, a great leathery egg case having washed up on the shore near the fortress of fire overnight. Inside, the creature stirred, slowly stretching and ripping its way out and into the world once more with a shrill crane-like screech. A bird-like hatchling flopped out onto the ground, slowly finding balance on its single foot as it flicked its wings to rid them of the goop and clumps of sand.

It gradually regained a semblance of its former power as it basked in the sun's light, but it still needed to feed. Luckily, the plans it had set in motion centuries before had developed exactly as it expected they would, and it could taste the souls of the fire wielders on the air over the gun powder as it spread its wings, soaring high in great slow circles as it assessed the fortress and terrain.

Like rats, its prey remained hidden inside the great metal structure; but for the moment it mattered little to the creature. The braziers outside filled with their colorful flames would sustain and strengthen it enough for the impending hunt.

***

The denizens of the fortress watched from their windows with varying amounts of apprehension and fright as the creature alighted near one of the braziers, burying its long white beak in the flames and quickly consuming them before continuing on to the next without any sign of injury or discomfort from them.

One by one, it emptied each of the braziers, growing stronger, larger, and more elegant even as it hopped along on its single leg. Its feathers grew out long and shimmering, its talons sharpened, its bright red crest igniting a crown of flames as it gave another, powerful cry. Nearly half the height of the fortress itself and a wingspan nearly as wide, the creature cast its beady eyes along each level, inspecting and pecking at the various openings as a woodpecker might a tree.

Kintsuke was watching it draw closer through the window of the consort's room, the children leaning and jumping to see around her and their mother.

"That's a Bifang."

The Lady Consort said from over Kintsuke's shoulder, and she answered the silent question written on the half-breed's face.

"I have only heard of it in stories, but it is a bird that feeds on fire. Supposedly, its appearance heralds the coming of a great blaze and other misfortunes."

"A Bifang." Kintsuke echoed.

Feeding on fire… So, it isn't just reclaiming its power as Zheng said it would. This didn't seem at all like the creature Zheng had described the night before to Rekkonji.

"Then, what is a Feng Huang; the phoenix creature?"

"The Feng Huang is said to be born from flames and is a far more awe-inspiring than this...thing; with long rainbow-colored feathers and two legs. There are always two of them, a male and a female, but they are weak cowardly creatures. They feed only on sundew and flee from any conflict or dishonor they witness."

"Does it have a similar resting cycle to this Bifang creature?"

"It does not. The Feng Huang is immortal and its power does not decline. I have not heard of the Bifang requiring a cycle of rest either, however. Perhaps it is a hunting strategy."

'It's all been lies, then; everything Zheng says is a lie. Surely Rekkonji realizes?'

Kintsuke shuddered as she came to fully understand Zheng's plan and while it disturbed her, it also made perfect sense; by a demon's logic, anyway. Zheng's story, rather than the truth, gave him an honorable way to rid himself of Kintsuke. Most of her power lay in her flames, which would clearly be of little use against such a creature as this, and she doubted she was a match for this creature of legend otherwise. This was how Zheng planned to kill her off, then.

'And if my own chances are so slim…'

Her eyes flicked over the essentially helpless litter, trying to formulate a method to preserve them. Zheng was not one to keep more than he needed. He would retain only Shu-Ting and the consort, and let the Bifang eat the rest.

Her thoughts were interrupted when Jian was quite suddenly announced and he swept into the chamber, the large discs in his ear lobes swinging as he bowed. The sounds of the Bifang's pecking and chirps drew ever closer, making the fortress itself shudder.

"Lady Consort, the master requires the presence of your glorious self and Princess Shu-Ting in the throne room immediately."

The female growled.

"A meeting; now!? Why is he not outside ridding us of this pest?!"

She threw a hand toward the window to indicate the Bifang outside. Jian merely bowed.

"It is the master's wish."

"It is his honorable responsibility to defend his mate and litter from any and all threats. His place is outside these walls, not sequestered within them!"

Jian simply repeated himself, ignoring the rage that darkened the consort's eyes and turned to Kintsuke.

"He also wishes for you to conference with his honorable guest Rekkonji in the armory on the third floor."

Kintsuke simply nodded, and he left.

The consort allowed Kintsuke to bear witness to the livid indignation that twisted across her face, and the females once more held a silent conversation as the pups blinked between them and the Bifang outside with puzzlement.

Kintsuke knew now what she had to do, and as the consort left with Shu-Ting in tow, she considered the remaining four pups. She surmised that Zheng was banking on Kintsuke's more honorable nature to act immediately on his command, which would now leave them alone and exposed. They were still too young to understand that their unquenchable curiosity was capable of getting them killed; and they were proving themselves dangerously curious about the thing outside.

"Come," she ordered them.

Kintsuke ensured they were right behind her as she made her way to the lower, deeper levels of the fortress. There was a place there that she had found some years back, and it would suffice, she hoped, to keep the little ones distracted until the Bifang was dealt with. As they realized where they were, the eldest gasped and looked up at her, uncertain.

"Sister Kiki, are you sure we're allowed here?"

She simply nodded.

"There is no place safer at the moment, and certainly your father is willing to go to any length to ensure your safety."

She patted the eldest on the head lightly, ushering them all inside.

"Do not leave here until someone comes to fetch you, do you understand?"

They sounded off an obedient chorus of 'Yes, Sister Kiki' as they began to explore the wonders inside, and Kintsuke allowed herself a momentary smirk as she closed the door to Zheng's private quarters. There truly was no place safer, and she knew Zheng would have the consort and Shu-Ting wait there while the creature was put down.

Her inner demon purred as it imagined the look on his face when he discovered the gifts she had left behind for him.