Reishin sat cross legged, praying for guidance. His efforts to free the people from the oppression of the daimyo had born fruit beyond his wildest dreams. Along with that success, though, had come a dizzying array of responsibilities. The daimyo abandoning the people had created a receptive audience for his message. It also left a province in anarchy, crying out for competent leadership.

Fortunately, Reishin wasn't limited to his own abilities in solving his people's problems. First, he could draw on the teachings of Shijun, the charismatic leader of their movement. While his mentor was physically located far to the east, tending to his own flock, Reishin could still draw on what he had learned in order to provide hope to the people. He also could draw on an even higher source of wisdom.

The guardian spirits of Yashima itself were willing to speak to those they deemed worthy. Reishin had only connected with them once before, when he had first contemplated striking out on his own. He had spent a week in secluded meditation before he received guidance urging him to raise the flag of righteous rebellion in Mino province.

Since then, he'd dealt with the obstacles in front of him according to his own understanding and experience. The guidance from the guardian spirits proved wise, and he soon had the southern third of the province more or less united in his cause. Unfortunately, their revolutionary movement had sparked a reaction from the forces who were used to taking their daily bread from the mouths of the peasantry. Fighting off reactionary elements was within his capabilities, but it complicated his efforts to bring order to the province.

He was also worried that the reactionaries could draw on help from neighboring provinces. The daimyo might squabble and fight among each other in their endless competition for power, but they could be expected to put aside their differences and work together in order to squash an upstart movement that threatened to pull the rug out from under all of them.

The news of Ota Nobunaga's shocking victory at Okehazama had reached Reishin a week ago. The battle had concluded months ago. If Lord Ota was anything like the man rumors painted him out to be, then he would sooner or later be reaching for more power. Stepping in to subdue rebels in a neighboring territory was exactly the sort of excuse a man like that would use in order to bring more territory under his own control.

Reishin didn't lack confidence. He'd been willing to set off to spread his revolutionary message accompanied by only two dozen of his brothers in the faith. When it came to fending off the army of an active and capable daimyo, though, he was willing to admit his own fears and seek guidance from a higher power.

He'd been meditating for only a day when he heard a response.

"Rejoice, Reishin," the voice said. "For you have been chosen."

The voice was deep and commanding, containing the wisdom and strength of a father watching over his children. It seemed to come to Reishin from all directions. He knew if he were to open his eyes, he would see that he was all alone in the room.

Reishin had no intention of opening his eyes. Inwardly, he rejoiced at having received the favor of the great spirits. Outwardly, he remained calm.

"What would you have me do?" he asked.

He saw an image flash before his eyes. Then another. And another. It was dizzying, trying to keep up with what he was seeing, but over time the picture became clear. There had been a great battle. A vast army had been defeated by a smaller force. The shining standout combatant for that smaller force was a woman, of all things.

She strode through the battlefield as though she were picking produce at the market. She removed enemy soldier's heads about as easily as most women chopped vegetables. The whole time, the small smile on her face was undisturbed. Her white kimono shone on the battlefield, blood and gore sliding off of it to present a deceptively pure and unblemished face to the world.

"A great challenge is coming," the voice said.

Reishin felt his heart clench, though he did his best to maintain his calm appearance. He did not want to shame himself in front of the spirits. Still, though, while he and his brothers could use spiritual energy to some extent to reinforce their bodies, they were a long way from being able to take on sword saints in open battle. Let alone a demon in human skin like that girl.

"Fret not," the voice continued. "From those who much is asked, much is also given."

Reishin sat still in silent contemplation. He didn't know what the guardian spirits had planned, but it wasn't his place to question their wisdom. A moment later, all of his questions were answered.

Spiritual energy poured into him in a torrent, flooding his internal channels like rivers fed by the spring melt. Reishin felt a moment of terrible tension, as though his insides were stretched to bursting, before a divine power spread through his system, easing his overworked channels and calming the flow of mana. Instead of a rampaging fire, he felt as though his chest had been suffused with a comforting warmth.

A moment later, knowledge streamed into his mind. It could only come from divine provenance. It answered the question of just what he would do with all that power. He wouldn't be limited to using mana to reinforce and strengthen himself. He now knew the ways of the sword saint: how to maintain unparalleled knowledge of the battlefield around him and exert uncanny attacks against his foes

Reishin stood, bouncing lightly on his feet. He felt like he could take on the world, let alone a single girl. A frown crossed his face as he reviewed the images he had been shown. He was facing a formidable foe. Even with the spirits on his side, he shouldn't take his success for granted.

He strode over to the door and threw it open. An attendant stood just outside, ready to receive his orders.

"Gather our brothers!" Reishin announced.

The attendant nodded and scurried off, heading for the public area of the temple. Reishin left him to do his work and headed for the private meeting chamber.

This was the temple's inner sanctum. Only ever visited by his brothers who had taken their vows and proven their faith, it was decorated with inspiring murals depicting their progress over the years. How Rennyo had landed on these islands, carrying his message of hope. How he had brought peace to people exhausted by war, and sought to extend the blessings of peace throughout the lands. How others had picked up his message and continued to carry out his mission.

Reishin was not important for himself. Nor was his task important in and of itself. But joined together with the others, joined together with their works, it formed a great chain that stretched across time and space and that would someday serve to link all of Yashima together in peace and brotherhood.

The others began filing in. Reishin kept his attention on the murals, and focused on maintaining the divine inspiration that had been granted to him. He had been blessed with the attention of the great spirits. He would prove himself worthy by extending the benefit of that blessing out beyond himself.

Finally, the last of his brothers arrived, closing the door behind him. Reishin turned and approached the head of the table.

"My brothers," he said, "we will soon face our greatest challenge."

There was a quiet murmur in reaction, but no shouts, no outright panic. Reishin had to focus to keep his satisfied smile off of his face.

"Of course, we knew that our great work would inspire resistance from the corrupt forces that govern this world," he said. "This is only the first such trial."

He leaned forward. "What we do here will echo in eternity. We must prove ourselves worthy heirs to the legacy of Rennyo."

Once he was sure that his brothers were united in their purpose, everything else was just a matter of administrative details. Calling up the local village levies, surveying the potential lines of approach that the enemy might take, ensuring that they had enough food to survive a prolonged siege if necessary, and so on. Important tasks. Vital, even.

Reishin knew, though, that such things were ultimately only of secondary importance. The key to their defense would be their spiritual strength. They were united in purpose, united for the freedom and well-being of the people. Together with the blessing from the guardian spirits, they would be invincible in battle. After all, if the great spirits stood with them, who would dare to stand against them?