That drum of war — its thunderous echo rolled across the mountain walls — came from none other than Soma Niko, commander of the elite ranks. An old man… yet not so old. Wrinkled by time but still carrying the sharpness of steel. Older than Hoshin Maru — and once, his equal. A man of unmatched rank, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Ryden Ryuki himself.
Standing at the entrance of the Ryuki Dojo, Soma beat his war drum with a rhythm that shook the wind. The gatekeeper, young and proud, barred the way, his staff crossed before the gate."You can't enter," the guard barked. "No one disturbs Lord Hoshin."
But Soma just smiled — a wild grin spreading across his lined face. His voice carried through the courtyard, rough yet filled with joy. He looked up, and there, high above, stood Hoshin Maru, visible through the open balcony of the top chamber.
