Shobu Samurai

Four months later, in the center of the Saint Shields shrine beyond the labyrinth and in the throne room, five men are seated around Haikou Madera, who is sitting in the center on the floor. Around him is a clear cylinder of visible power extending toward the ceiling of the shrine, which has been broken apart and reveals the night sky above. A white full moon shines above. Sitting in a circle are Let Kokoro at the head, to his right Sai Gomu and Noah Nakasone, and to his left Kurapika Madera and Aven. They all seem to be lost in a deep trance. The hoods of their cloaks cover their faces, creating dark cast over their heads and eyes. Their auras pass through one another and then spread to the cylinder of power surrounding Haikou. Haikou stares aimlessly at the ground, lost in his own thoughts as if he were a corpse. It’s almost time, Let thinks, It won’t be long now until the lunar eclipse, and then God will return, and we will bring salvation to everyone in the Ark. As if Haikou could hear Let’s thoughts, he glances up at the moon shining directly above the open hole in the ceiling. At least it will all be over, he tells himself. Standing outside on the open plain that surrounds the Saint Shields base are Ely, Hiro, Hateori, and Tao May. “How do we even know they are coming?” Ely moans. “I’m bored.” “Of course, they will come,” May says, “We have two of their friends, Haikou and the other child.” “How many of them are there?” Hateori asks the group. “Excluding the boy’s soul we captured and Haikou,” Hiro says, counting off his fingers from six, “that would leave, Shobu Samurai, the impotent boy, the ice user, and the squid man.” “One for each of us then,” Hateori smiles, “Shobu Samurai is mine then.” “Nuh-uh,” Ely says, sticking her tongue out at him, “I want to be the one to fight him. There’s no way he will survive my territory.” “It’s not like the boy will do a lot of talking once he figures out your ability,” May taunts, “Let me deal with him. I’ll melt him with a kiss.” “No one wants kisses from you, hag,” Hiro adds. “You’re one to call someone old!” she growls at him. The sound of hooves approaching draws their ears to something in the distance. What’s that? they wonder. As they peer to get a better view, they notice five darkly cloaked bodies dressed in cloaks similar to their own, riding on the back of four horses. One of the black-cloaked men is laid across the back of one of the four horsemen, unconscious or perhaps dead. The four riders in black cloaks all hide their faces and keep their hands hidden under matching black gloves. It’s hard to tell who’s who. On the back of their black cloaks are the symbols of the five civilizations with the seal of Annoishi and Akuma in the center. At the top is a lightning bolt, representing the Light; next, going clockwise, is a torch, representing the Fire; a teardrop follows, representing the Water; then there are two stones, representing the Earth; and last to complete the clock is a swirl to represent the Wind. Beneath their symbol reads the Revolution.