Shadow Step Organization (SSO)

"Quiet as a shadow."

~Who~

Few in number, the Shadow Step Organization (SSO) is rumored in hushed whispers to be a clan of ninjas who work to uphold balance in Alexius from the shadows. If a corrupt official would be found in their room dead mysteriously those who know of their name would normally point their fingers at the SSO. The SSO is currently run by Sho Amada and based in the outskirts of Osaka.

~Origins~

During the war of the lands there existed a legendary man named Akira Shishio who was known throughout the land as the shadow of death. Working for the Republic, Akira sowed discord and panic into the enemy camps, setting their tents ablaze, poisoning water supplies, and an assortment of other gruesome tactics. When the Republic finally became a nation, Akira was growing old. He passed his years of knowledge and techniques to a young man named Makoto Satonaka before he passed away. From the shadows Makoto assisted the Republic, but the years had softened the Republic and made them weak. Disgusted, Makoto left the Republic as it began to fall to Hyza and other barbarians. Traveling to the north, he found respectable people who would eventually become the nation of Alexius. Along his travels he found a child cradled in the arms of her dead mother, a victim of the raiders in Chiyo. Taking pity on the girl, Makoto took her in and named her Chie. Makoto taught Chie the knowledge that Akira had taught him. The years would soon pass and Chie would pass her knowledge onto a student, and that student in turn would pass it again. Akira's values and techniques would thus live on for many years.

Late in the present century the current master of Akira's arts, Yukari Narukami, decided that others should know the techniques of Akira. If the current master was to die without having a student, how would Akira's techniques continue to be passed? Thus Yukari wrote a book recording all of Akira's teachings and created the Shadow Step Organization. Needing a place to stay, Yukari's most trusted ally, Raime d'Falkow, offered her such a place at his Estate. There Yukari took in those wanting to learn and began teaching. As war began brewing between Hyza and Alexius, King Oliver I requested assistance from all people in Alexius. Eager to show the fruits of their training, the SSO set out to help in the campaign against Hyza. Thanks to their disruptions confusion and fear was sewn into the hearts of the Hyzan forces and they were crushed.

After the war with Hyza the SSO continued their routine espionage missions for House Falkow. Things were pretty peaceful until Oliver I died and his son took over. Seeing the corruption that Oliver II was causing, Raime requested Yukari's assistance in getting this boy out of power. Now old but still eager to get in some action, Yukari agreed. The SSO soon discovered Dawn Silverlake's rebellions and House Falkow formed an alliance with him. Spreading rumors about the king and misfortune for the king's forces, the SSO assisted the First Dawn with. Eventually the brother of Raime, Saulden, betrayed house d'Falkow and told King Oliver II of their actions. Enraged, the young king sent his Elite Guards to the estate to destroy it and send a message to anyone else who dared to insult him. Deciding not to leave the land without a fight, Raime stayed and fought against the guard. Yukari and a couple of other SSO members stayed as well to assist their lord, but the amount of guards was too much and eventually the estate was destroyed. With their leader dead, the SSO faded into the shadows for a time being but has begun to reform under the leadership of a young man named Sho Amada. With a new leader, the SSO continues their operations against the King independently.

~Akira's Philosophies~

-Be aware of yourself and the world around you. Realize that everything changes and that clinging to the idea of a permanent self is an illusion gives rise to unhappiness.

-Be resolute about your actions. Are they for the good of all or just yourself ? Resist to acting upon feelings of desire, prejudgment or aggression.

-Know the wisdom of being patient and humble. Anger and pride lead to regretful actions.

-Do not allow your soul to be controlled by the demands of desire, pleasure, or dependence.

-Remove too much thinking to preserve the nerves. Don’t spend too much time thinking about trivia because you will become irresolute. So think less and develop strong nerves.

-Remove desire to preserve the heart. The problems of the mind are like this: I want this or I want that, or I want to be rich and in high society, etc. So every effort must be taken to remove these desires and in turn cultivate a good mind and heart.

-Remove too much speech to preserve the spirit. Refrain from chattering too much and instead store up the power of your spirit

Remember that words are never ‘just words’. Words can make or break lives. You must be careful with the things you say.

-Know yourself and come to terms with your soul. A confused soul will weigh one down with it's jagged edges. Observe your body, feelings and mind without attraction or diversion. Keep an open mind in the present, quiet and alert.

-Sorrow, pain, and resentment are natural qualities to be found in life. Therefore, work to cultivate an immovable spirit.

-Hold in your heart the importance of bonds, and pursue your future with with balance and determination.