Edo was a Japanese city that rose to power during a time of samurai and endless war. In an alternate timeline, Edo also had steam-based technology centuries ahead of its time. Samurai tamed the land with swords and firearms while flying machines ruled the skies. Yokai also were an everyday reality. Whether they were magical animals, spirits of nature, or fearsome creatures, yokai came in all forms, working their magic in the outer fringes of Edo. All of Edo's people and yokai were under the thumb of a warlord named Tokugawa.
To a teenage girl named Yuzu, she lived far away on an island, only learning about Edo's technology and yokai through stories. Then one day, a chance encounter made her the target of a shape-shifting fox named Tao, and she needed to escape to Edo. During her time there, Yuzu made friends with the yokai, but tensions escalated when Tokugawa made life worse for them. What began as an escape from Tao's wrath became an even deadlier fight for survival. Yuzu's only hope was to unite the various species of Edo to stop a war between machines and yokai.
About the Author:
C.L. Armerding has a fascination with Japanese history, mythology, and anime. Further inspired by the struggles of minority groups, he offers a story to encourage standing in solidarity with the unfortunate.