Nathan followed after Norihiro
The Daimyo had chosen another path than the usual one, one that cut through the low hills south of the battlefield before turning east toward Minami Kyoto. At first, it seemed strange. The city was under attack. Urakami's soldiers had breached its gates. Norihiro's remaining army was collapsing behind him.
Yet he was not riding back to defend his people.
He was riding toward something hidden beneath them.
The underground shrine.
Nathan moved through the hills at full speed, following the faint traces left by Norihiro's retreating group. Dark power gathered beneath his feet whenever the ground became too uneven, allowing him to cross ravines and steep slopes that would have slowed an ordinary rider.
The battle still echoed behind him.
