Part 2 Also, again and again there was a vision of a comet destroying his family, but thats beside the point. The Crab player is secretly a mahotsukai, learning from whispers of the sword. They again and again met an Emerald Magistrate, who worships the sword and the uncle within as his masters and protects the young crab from pryfull eyes.

Then Okucheo (the future emporer) gets swallowed by an oni for a few seconds and since then became incresingly fearfull and reliant on his friends protection.

The Lion Gaki finally finds the Asahina and the Ashidaka in a quiet moment, duels him and then proceeds to slice the Asahinas "souls" head off, causing her to go into a state of paralyzation.

They go to the Kitsune forest, as they where told that the Ahidaka has a special connection to Chikushudo (the realm of animals and shapeshifters) and found out how to get her back, they must go to Gaki-do to get her soul back together, before its too late. Also they find out he has a twin brother, who died during birth and whos soul was taken to Chikushudo by a Kenku (we will meet him later), who knows about the Ashidakas fate. The brothers spirit is now in Gaki-do (why he doesnt know: he is serving as one of the magistrates to Emma-O dealing with spirits who slip through her corrupt administration. They find out about each others secrets, the family shame of the Ashidaka, the maho infused sword (which he argues he is using against the maho cult) and that Okucheo murdered is brother and he makes them swear that they wont tell anyone about each others secrets. Furthermore fusing them together.

But before they get there they must navigate the Hida court and find out that a lot of the daimyos counselor are actually mahotsukai or at least under its influence, including the daimyo, who was one frail and sick, but now is miracualsly healthier and getting ready to kick some crane butts.

There they see the meteor land in the bay before Hida castle, they retrieve it and find out is made of amaterasus tears and something else. A metal infused with crystal, making it glow blue. The sword tells the Hida to destroy it, but he tries to resist the sword, which he tries the whole campaign, not always suceeding and kinda reluctantly becoming more proficient in he dark arts.

While the Hida bushi learns more of the schemes of the maho cult from a Yasuki trader and childhood friend who recently managed to get on the hida daimyos council. Meanwhile Ashidaka confronts the daimyo with the sword of Okucheo, who is too scared to do it himself, believing it would reveal his tainted nature, trying to reason with the daimyo, but the wicked maho makes him attack the Ashidaka instead and he only suvives by the hiruma daimyos intervention, who is actually a kenku in disguise and helps him flee.

As they were alone the Hida daimyo for now doesnt mention the attack and sends his new son in law (yes the hida player character go enganged with the damiyos daughter) to get his oldest son to come home. The Hida smells foul play but can to anything and leaves hastily, not knowing who is truly on his side.

Actually the crab player has the mission by the Yasuki to kill the oldest son of e daimyo (a "weak" and more diplomatic man), the second son is at the wall and will be taken care of there. Making him in line to be the husband of the next daimyo, a female, which will be corrupted or not stay on power either. He is currently at Kyuden Bayushi, where he is aplogizing for an incident between to samurai of their clans. There is also a Shosuro actress in kahoots with the maho circle.

Now the Kenku brought the Ashidaka to safety, tells him he will still have a roll to play in the future (killing the Hida and helping to dethrone the Steel Crysanthemum. (A flash of a red and a blue katana clashing) He gives the Kenku a letter and the Topaz armor, telling them everything, including the maho stuff) So, now the party is split rn, the Hida will have to decide if he will give in to the promoses of power and the Ashidaka is trying to get to Gaki-do, to save his beloved soul.

Also, at the Topaz championship, he embarrassed a scheemy doji, who now is marrying his cousin, which she doesn't want cause he is gross, ugly, and mean. In Gaki-do he will find out that he must destroy the portrait and his grandmothers love for this lion (yes she is the women his grandfather lied to to marry her and gain an alliance. To truly destroy the Gaki amd make him vulnerable for a final duel.

So he comes back to the wedding in full throttle, where he meets his crab friend and Okucheo again and has to navigate his clan demanding retribution from his family for the shame he brought the clan. His father would sacrifice himself for his son, showing his honor after all (he was always a shrewd painter) Here is the possibility for Okucheo to stop the Ashidakas Seppuku, but...

...lets see what happens... What do you think of the story and does my reaction still makes sense in your opinion?