Circle of Equals

[DeathsOverture]

Nozaki released his conscience from its flesh prison. His vision rose through the structure of his home into the stormy skies above, through the clouds and into the peaceful mesosphere. His soul grew warm as the sun rose over the blue horizon... beautiful.

The vision then streaked across light years of space through the Crow Nebula to a far off green star. The vision rotated to reveal a large, ice-covered planet and began to close on it. In an instant, his conscience fell through the atmosphere to the surface of the planet, where a yamaneko (lynx) was pacing back and forth, each breath fully audible and visible in the cold mountain air. Opposite the lion was a monstrous black Oni standing on two legs, growling fiercely at the yamaneko. The demon's teeth and claws were dripping with warm blood. The Oni raised his arms and charged towards the yamaneko, who was now preparing to pounce. As the creatures clashed, blinding light engulfed them.

Nozaki reopened his eyes and became attuned to the dojo and the familiar sound of rainfall. Nozaki's ancestors had shown him a glimpse of his destiny as a Guild Master.