I never aspired to be a samurai. Consequently, the inclusion of an ancient samurai legend, “Kensei and the Dragon,” in the Company’s orientation packet had always confused me. I mentally translated it into English, as I waited for Kaito Nakamura to acknowledge me…

Takezo Kensei fell deeply in love with a princess, and she with him. But, the two knew they must part, for Kensei had sworn to defeat White Beard, scourge of Japan, no matter the cost. To this end, the warrior studied with the most expert swordsmen in the land, until he had bested them all. Still, it was not enough. The samurai sought the ancient sword knowledge possessed by the dragon of Kiso Mountain. The dragon, finding the man’s cause worthy, agreed to help him become a sword saint.

But, the price the dragon exacted was high, indeed, for he demanded that the man give him that which he loved most in life. Takezo Kensei was torn. He loved his princess most in life. Yet, that very love inspired him to promise her that he would do everything in his power to defeat White Beard. Reluctantly, Kensei agreed to the dragon’s terms, and the dragon imparted his sword knowledge.

The sword saint used that knowledge in many trials, eventually defeating White Beard. Returning to his princess, Kensei asked for her hand in marriage, and she agreed. However, the dragon attended their wedding, black amid the cherry blossoms. The fearsome creature demanded that Kensei fulfill his part of the bargain; he demanded the life of the princess.

The samurai, crafty and brave, responded by plunging his sword into his breast. Removing his own heart, Kensei presented it to the dragon, exclaiming, “My love is in here! Take it!” Then, he died.

Finishing the inner recitation, I scanned he roof of the Deveaux Building. It had changed in the years since Nakamura had placed Claire in my arms. To honor that gesture, however gruffly and ominously performed, I agreed to meet with my former employer.

I bowed: “You wished to see me?”

Nakamura was, as ever, Nakamura: “You disobeyed me; you got too close.”

An epiphany struck me. “You are the dragon of Kiso Mountain.”

“As you are,” assured Nakamura. “We demand some hearts, so that other hearts might know the greater good.”

I accepted the truth from Nakamura, because I would be a hypocrite to disavow the part of my nature that allowed me to do my former job. After all, without that job I wouldn’t have Claire. Without that job, I wouldn’t have known the nature of the threats to Claire. Without that job, I wouldn’t have had the resources to combat the threats to Claire, threats like Claude.

When Claude hid one of them, he came under Company scrutiny. When my partner came under scrutiny, I did, as well. I couldn’t risk the Company perceiving anything amiss; they would take my Claire. If she were one of them, they would drive her to agony, as they had Elle. I couldn’t have it! Damn him! I had to shoot him and layer my motives, so the telepaths read the Company line.

“You want me to collect hearts for you, then?,” I asked, coming back to the present.

“Yes,” replied Nakamura. “I want you to raze the Company to the ground so that something closer to the greater good may rise in its place.”

Nakamura wanted me to be what I was and do what I would do anyway, elegant and efficient. “Assignment parameters?”

“Improvise,” he answered, “with this as a starting point.” Nakamura revealed what could only be a Mendez canvas…depicting his own bloody death. “Find the other seven pieces of Mendez’s heart, and you’ll likely discover how the Company should die along with me.”

Stunned by his stoicism, I asked, “Aren’t you disturbed by that painting?”

“No,” said Nakamura. “It simply means that another dragon of Kiso Mountain considers my heart the price for another greater good. Hopefully, his good will be less dark than mine.”

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