Norma
The day after their conversation Himiko had been eager to learn. Eager to understand on what could define her. To understand what had ever happened to her. The void would become a part of her life soon. One it already had been. She wasn't aware. The young girl had found herself in front of the front door of the embassy once more. This time to not discuss political things with their ambassador. No, she was here as a student. Himiko had left Ilu at home for today and was dressed in her simple shrine maiden outfit. Her hairs had been braided into two dutch braids to the back of her head. The strands of the braids still reaching to beyond her hips. 

The golden and blue eye blinked twice before she decided to knock. Curious to as why no guard tried to ambush her by now already. Were the Phoenix truly this peaceful? Strange. It brought comfort however. 

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Theodore
_Kashikoi walked to the door, having been alerted by a stray servant to the guest at the door. He made his way to the entrance and open one door, leaning sideways as he looked at Himiko, waving._

"Ohayo, Kitsu-san! Please, come in. We have much to do after all. You seem eager as well, a good trait to have in most scholarly regards."

_He gestures her to follow him as he takes her to a spare meeting room within the embassy, surely the others wouldn't mind._

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Norma
Himiko would bow down. Following him to the meeting room. She was amazed once more at how beautiful this embassy was in person. The kami clearly liked this place more than they had with the Lion embassy. *"I try. When I have not worked my hardest I am not satisfied."* Himiko stated. She would then await orders. She had been well rested even though she had missed half of her resting time. She would smile grandly. 

*"I have not been plagued by nightmares after our chat. Thank you Isawa-sama."* Himiko stated. It had been the truth and the truth only. 

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Theodore
"You are welcome Kitsu-san, and please, just Isawa-san is fine. If you want, you can even just call me Kashikoi; we are both of the Void after all!"

_Kashikoi chuckles, gesturing her to sit as he does so himself, arranging to sit comfortably but with some authority in his posture as he looks over the Kitsu._

"Our embassy is beautiful isn't it? I appreciate the hard work our servants and even my fellow Phoenix have put in to make it so, this is a dedication to peace and harmony of the spirit, thus we worked to match that ideal. But that's not why we're here today,"

_Kashikoi would beam at Himiko, gesturing to her with one hand._

"Today, we begin your formal Ishiken training. And do not fret, I am simply using Ishiken as a term for training you in the Void. It can be a mouthful sometimes,"

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Norma
Himiko had smiled. *"Kashikoi-san. The void will connect us. Please refer to me as Himiko as well."* The young girl stated before she settled down. It was comfortable here. This time she did not fully miss Ilu. Nor did she show any nervousness. She would stare at the hand he was gesturing at her with. *"Ishiken."* She whispered under her breath. What a strange name. Not that it had mattered. 

She would take a comfortable yet ergonomic position. Her full attention towards her newfound master. Ready to settle for the void. But first she had a question. "*Kashikoi-san? Is using the void like it would be normal spells allowed? Is it dangerous to do so? Is it accepted?"* 

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Theodore
"It is, I have used my abilities openly before; but unfortunately, they are often under scrutiny. There are far more who know a shugenja's craft than those who know ours. Thus, however your abilities manifest, you must be subtle with them. As for dangerous ... Yes, it can be. Would it help if I gave you an example?"

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Norma
*"It would help. Is it that they do not understand the ability of the void and therefore shun it?"* Himiko mentioned. Placing her hands on her lap. She knew this question would lead to explanation and using spells was out of the question for now. But she needed to understand before she blatantly waved it around like a fan. She would rub the scar on her hand with her thumb, as if it was itching. Not her nervousness, it felt like it was actually tingling to do something. Ready to show how good she could be. 

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Theodore
"You do not have to show anyone how good you are, Himiko-san. That you wish to receive instruction and learn further is a testament in and of itself. Good fan analogy, by the by."

_Kashikoi smiled and leaned back a bit, most found that particular aspect ... Most unpleasant._

"And yes, from what my instructor said at Starry Heavens, unless they are already aware of the Ishiken or are told ahead of time, they can and will mistake our art for that of Bloodspeakers; speaking their malefic words to bring about their malign will."

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Norma
*"Bloodspeakers. I have heard of them. I have not understood their evil. "* The girl stated. Brushing a few lose hairs behind her ears. *"I wish to learn how to uncover the spells that I am already aware of. I know a few that I cannot recollect in books and from my understanding and your explanation yesterday I feel like they are void bound."* Himiko shifted her weight a bit before leaning forward. 

*"I promise to use the void wisely and for now only under your supervision. I wish not to lose myself."* 

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Theodore
"I must admit, most are more upset when I touch their minds. Or was that spoken out loud? Hard to tell,"

_Kashikoi hummed, nodding before looking back at Himiko more coherently._

"Good, and keep in mind; this power is not akin to that of the kami or even _meishodō_; in those aspects, the results of the spells are more accurate and reliable, with tiny calculations to make regarding the spirits. The Void is not so easily tamed. You may find your abilities activating on their own, for little to no reason. Keep calm and simply try to regain control, it will not be easy, but you are likely used to struggle, yes?"

_Kashikoi smiles, pride brimming as he nods to her final declaration._

"Our first lesson: Delving into the Void."

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Norma
*"I have no secrets to hold. I do not mind you hearing me think."*Himiko stated. She did not truly mind. She had done this once before. But much like he had explained it had been on accident, she would not be aware of actually hearing minds but more hearing random voices. Puzzle pieces fell into their places. *"Delving into the void. Let us proceed. I am ready."* Himiko stated. 

She was truly ready. She was listening and understood. 

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Theodore
"Oh, that's a pleasant surprise."

_He lost his smile as he assumed a lotus position, hands resting on his knees._

"Assume this position and close your eyes. Tune out the physical, the material; focus only on the ephemeral, the infinite. Feel the world, and feel the nothing that binds it all, let go. Have no fear, I will be your tether here. Be warned, this will likely not be pleasant."

_As she would close her eyes, he would quietly stand and hold his hands over her head, acting as the tether he had mentioned before._

"If you find yourself capable of speech; describe what you see."

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Norma
Himiko took the lotus position with a little amount of struggle. She had not been as flexible as she had hoped for but attempted nonetheless. One deep breath, as if she were to dive into a pool of water. She held it. Closing her eyes to prevent the water from irritating them. But there was no splash. There was no good dive. Not even a drop into the water. Nothing happened. It seemed that diving in was not the correct approach. 

Himiko heard the Isawa speak about feeling the world, did that mean she had to ground herself? Much like she would do with the element of earth. Another attempt. She would feel the so speaking roots of herself shoot into the ground. Connect to the world? She wished to make it tremble, to listen to it, to hear it. But silence remained. A tiny grunt echoed from the now more frustrated Kitsu. 

Feel the nothing that binds it all. Air? But that means she had to let go. Let go. The mental roots would retract themselves. It was time to float. Mentally of course. She had not been able to do so like some Shugenja had. She wished to open her eyes to see if she actually was. Her mind was. All over the place it had been. She'd actually feel lightheaded. But inhaling and holding your breath this much would result in that. Breathe. And Himiko did so. The air had not obeyed her will. Was she truly failing at something she was supposed to be capable of. After all why else would Kashikoi put faith in her. 

She had connected to it many times before. She had, the nightmares were proof. She would feel frustrated. Fire? Was it the pure energy that was supposed to connect her with the void. Fire. Feel the passion of it burn. Do not let the anger take lead. Even though she had felt it boil like crazy. She'd curl up her fists in frustration as not even the fire helped. No, fire had it's own will. She had too. The void had to answer her. She demanded it. 

But perhaps that had been her pitfall. The void did not listen. It was just there. It was all and nothing. Was it like going to sleep? Maybe. No fear. Nothing. Be all. Be nothing. The girl had inhaled deeply once more. Then exhaled. The void was all she feared, and nothing she'd be afraid of. Then the floor dissapeared from underneath her. It had been truly dark. If she were capable of screaming and opening her eyes she would. This would exactly be like one of her nightmares. Be not afraid. 

She was alone. But she did not feel alone. It was strange. 

As from the outside world Himiko was capable of screaming. She simply was not aware. Her eyes squinted as almost she was forced to keep them shut. The girl had yelled. Once however. Nothing else had changed about her. At first glance alas. She opened her mouth to speak. 

*"I feel blinded. I have not experienced a darkness like this."* The young girl whispered. 

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Theodore
"Is there anything else you feel? A lingering smell, a phantom touch?"

_He stood firm, using his powers to hold Himiko in place and not fall too deep into the Void. He smiled, hearing the wayward thoughts,_

"It did take you a moment; but struggle is the mark of progress. Do not despair if you cannot get something immediately. Even trained Ishiken struggle."

_He kept his focus on Himiko's self._

"Do not be afraid to feel around, to take in the Void. But be wary of opening your eyes; the knowledge within the Void is vast, but crippling."

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Norma
*"Is it strange to say that it feels warm and cold at the same time? Like a fever but somehow not unpleasant."* Himiko attempted to describe what she was feeling. But she did not manage to reach her senses that well. She had barely even heard the Isawa guiding her. Within the void she had moved her hands. Moving her fingers in an alternating pattern. She had felt them. As for the real life she had barely even lifted them. 

*"Does that mean I am not allowed to open them?"* The young girl questioned. Her curiosity soon to get the hang of her. She wished not to disobey the will of a master, but something within the space was whispering. It was echoing. 

*"Can something speak to me or am I hearing my own thoughts?"* Another question. Enough questioning, Himiko said to herself. She would then inhale through her nose. A smell, huh? It smelled like rice. No, noodles. Chicken noodles. It was delicious. But soon it had faded into a faint smell. The smell of rain in Rokugan. No not Rokugan, her hometown. 

*"Rain. I smell rain. I feel it too"* The young girl was slowly but steadily exploring whatever the void had let lose upon her. 

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Theodore
"I would advise against opening them. Unless you wish to end up like me;"

_The line sounds humorous, but the intensity is present._

"Likely a mixture of my voice, your thoughts and the words of days gone by or soon to come."

_He smiled, inhaling gently and imagining petrichor._

"Good, try to expand. Feel beyond your means; truly experience the intricacies of the Void. Let your imagination guid you, and remember: you are part of the flow, not its director or guide. You are the flow."

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Norma
*"So I can see what I want to see?"* Himiko questioned. Trying to imagine her hometown, as that is where the smell originated from. Still squinting her eyes to make sure they were closed. *"But how can I see if I do not open my eyes?"* Suddenly she heard the rustling of the bushes. It almost made her ear twitch. She could hear children laughing. It made her frown. The feeling of the wind embraced her and before she knew it, she had opened her eyes. Not in the real world. Those were still squinting. 

It was her past. Her home. Something she hadn't seen in so long as she feared to ever to return to it. But now there was no fear. She watched the houses into detail. Soon to vanish into nothingness. Empty. Just how she had felt after that slight feeling of euphoria. *"Is it telling me things? Do I listen? What does it seek?"* Himiko questioned. She had not twitched nor shown symptoms. After all she was familiar with it, only lost the memory of it. Her voice was calm. 

*"I opened my eyes. It was an accident."* Himiko stated. Yet no form of pain. She just wished for Kashikoi to know. She was not defending herself. 

Her eyes would soon glance at streams of energy surrounding her. It was strange. 

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Theodore
"How long? You must be careful, Himiko-san! The Void will fill your mind with information until you cannot understand, you will effectively die, while you draw breath! That you still comprehend is a miracle,"

_Kashikoi exhaled in relief, he had figured they would eventually get to seeing in the Void, but she seemed alright._

"You will eventually learn means to keep then open; but for now, simply see with your mind. With that which paints immaculate pictures unseen."

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Norma
Himiko immediately closed her eyes. *"It's going to burn my brains out is it not?"* She continued to breathe normally. Once again nothing out of the ordinary. It remained silent for this moment. Himiko would not speak but show clear signs of truly being alive. She then whispered. *"I hear song. Music."* And she did. It was loud, pretty then soft and sharp. *"It has shown me my home. Now it is showing me some sorts of festivities. I hear the music. I hear the people. I feel their warmth."* 
It was clear the young girl remained sharp in her senses. Yet something about this was soothing. *"I smell food. It smells pleasant. Why is it showing me this? Is this happening somewhere in our world?"*

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Theodore
"Most likely; even the heimin have their own traditions and festivals outside of the mandated ones."

_Kashikoi hums, closing his own eyes to briefly touch on the images in her head, nodding approvingly._

"Not exactly; how I have seen is the person is just ... Inert. Unable to process what they learned and saw. In a constant loop of never ending attempts to understand."

_Kashikoi solemnly says, shaking his head as the though comes._

"Trapped in an infinite Void of their own making."

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Norma
*"Lost to their own void. Their body remains on the planet but their soul is here?"* Himiko tried to clarify. She would relax a bit more. Hearing the hum from the Isawa reassured her. *"Tell me, why is it important for me to be here?"* The young one questioned. It was clear that it was something she did not mind. But understood the dangers of. Ones she had to witness firsthand to truly comprehend. The scenery had changed. 

Much like Kashikoi had explained, it was a flow. Go with it or drown. So she floated. Stayed afloat. The smell of grass tingled her nose, it made her sneeze. *"Apologies Kashikoi-san."* She mentioned as she was unaware of her true body had done the same. But soon she was disrupted by the sound of metal clinging against metal. It was a sharp sound. Soon it became a shout. She recalled this. *"Kashikoi-san. I will remain with no fear, but please guide me through this. This is a memory of my ancestor. I recognize this dream as no other. It reoccurs."* 

She could soon hear the smell of blood. The sensation of pain on her fingers. Like they had been chopped off. She did not scream nor cry. She just remained silent. 

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Theodore
"I will more firmly tether you, just tell me when you wish to be brought back."

_Kashikoi did as he said he would, tightening his hold over her incorporeal form so he could pull her out if needed, but not tight enough to restrict her._

"All must feel the Void's flow before they can begin to harness it. Much like how initiates learning the way of the Fire kami must first understand the power of the flame."

_He chuckled,_

"Your body has not moved Himiko-san, you are only emoting and such in the Void."

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Norma
*"The void is both all and nothing. You told me to not fear, so I will not."* The girl had squinted her eyes at the scream of her ancestor. The scar on her arm on her physical body started to spread. Himiko would wave her hand around in the void. 

*"It is taxing. It is hurting. But I still feel okay. I feel no fear."* The girl inhaled deeply and experienced the nightmare firsthand. With that the scar stopped it's growth. *"This is not me. This is my ancestor. I am them and they are me. But I should not suffer."* Himiko stated. Trying to push through the loud noise of war. 

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Theodore
"Remember, it is just an echo in the Void; you feel her pain but it is not yours. You simply are feeling the phantom pains. Tell me if it continues to progress, I will pull you out before it actually harms you."

_Kashikoi emphasized his point by tugging their connection, letting her feel the tug._

"Good, you are a brave Lion. A brave Kitsu; but bravery is also admitting when you have reached your limit."

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Norma
Himiko nodded. She understood. *"I wish to pass through this so I will not fear this nightmare anymore."* The young one spoke in a more strained voice. But it soon went silent. The tranquility of the void had returned. The war was gone. A war that wasn't hers to fight. 

*"I wish to return to our world Kashikoi-san. I am tired."* She could feel her head bob. To her being so tired out of the sudden was impossible yet it happened. Much like the Phoenix spoke. Admit when you have reached your limit. So she did. 

She could feel her hands burn a bit. Her mind was soothing as if she were ready to go into hibernation. 

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Theodore
_Kashikoi nodded, gently tugging her consciousness back to the material, glancing over her, arms out ready to catch her if she should begin to fall over._

"Congratulations, Himiko-san. You have passed your initiation, how do you feel?"

_He made sure to keep an eye on her responses, grey eyes gleaming intently as he analyzed her return to consciousness._

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Norma
Himiko would gasp loudly. It was like thinking you had to breathe how you were breathing that you suddenly could not automatically breathe anymore. She felt strange as the light suddenly hitting her eyes had burned. But it was good to be back. 

*"I feel exhausted. I could sleep for days."* The young one spoke. Sure that she actually could do so. The gold and blue eye gazed back as she'd smile at the Isawa. *"Thank you Kashikoi-san."* 

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Theodore
"That usually is the response one has after diving into the Void,"

_Kashikoi chuckled, holding up a small sweet to the Kitsu woman with a soft smile._

"You are very welcome, Himiko-san. It is my pleasure to teach you,"

_He tilted his head as he sat beside her._

"Now, the true training begins. After you rest of course, must not rush this."

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Thomas
*The Void is everywhere. It is everywhen. The intangible nothingness and everything pervades and exudes the entirety of the unexistence of its presence. The Void sits in its Realm and patiently, eagerly waits those who touch it.

Oh, the Void is so* Very *Patient.

It waits, and hungers, but does not fear, because people will reach into it. It merely must sit quietly and prepare. Some day the right mind will touch it, and all potentiality will spill forth.

They already have. They are. They will. They must. It is the way of weak, curious mortals to tap into that which promises such power.

Another set of hands have splashed upon its surface. Perhaps this one will be the one who has fulfilled their future. The glorious day of Nothing

One day in the now of past futures, all is the Realm of Void.*

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