[Day 1, Early Morning] The early Lion

[Shinjo Akil]

"I cannot imagine one should have been surprised. A single mortal against a Kami is barely a fight at all."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"There is always a chance." he replied plainly "It was mortals, and not kami, that managed to defeat the Dark Kami."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Seven of them, as the stories tell me," he nodded. "I am certainly not suggesting it impossible. But the stories of Shinjo-Kami make me doubt that any single mortal could have defeated her."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I am certain of it Shinjo-san and I do not disagree. Akodo-no-Kami was the greatest tactician the Empire ever saw." he replied "Its just that the fact that the demise of the Dark Kami was the work of seven mortals... it is a great thing you know? A testament to human resolve."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Certainly," he nodded, "the stories of the Unicorn are filled with mortals who managed incredible feats, sometimes through no more than simple resolve. I have no doubt your histories have many of those stories as well."

[Matsu Nintoku]

"I would go so far as to tell every clan in the Empire has them. That is why so many young samurai wish to be heroes and emulate their idols."

[Shinjo Akil]

"Of course," he nodded, "though I think I would advise most young samurai to be mindful of their path to heroism."

[Matsu Nintoku]

He shook his head "They will not listen." there was a melancholic tone to his voice "Would you have listened to cautionary tales when you were younger?"

[Shinjo Akil]

"Hard to say. I certainly was not anticipating the idea of being a hero. Mostly I just wanted to play my flute."