Alcor, the star that shines next to the Big Dipper -also known as the death omen star. It is said that those who can see this star will die within the year. What destiny awaits Toki, Mamiya and Rei, who have all seen it?

The Fist King, burning with ambition to rule the century's end, has already set his dark agents in motion.

Those Who Fear Death!
Listen to the Cry of Lin’s Fiery Heart!!

One of the Fist King's soldiers holds a child. The child's father begs him to spare his son, so the soldier makes a deal: he'll let the kid live if he does everything they say. The kid's father says he understands, so the soldier throws him his kid back.

The Fist King's forces sweep through the village, killing or capturing any remaining villagers. The squad's leader, Gallon, tells his men to kill any who oppose them. Meanwhile, Lin and Airi hide in a storeroom.

They hear someone outside getting closer and closer. A solider opens the door, but he see's there is nobody there. That's because he's checked the room next to the one Lin and Airi are in.

But he then goes to the next door, and finds that it's locked. He starts charging into it repeatedly, asking if there's someone in there. Lin and Airi don't know what to do, but then a door behind them opens up. Two villagers have found them, and tell them to come this way quickly.

The solider eventually gets the door open, but is left frustrated when he realizes nobody is there. Outside, Lin and Airi thank the two villagers for saving them. They tell them to follow them, and also say not to worry -men have to protect women and children, even if they've gotten old.

The group start to move out, but are immediately seen by a soldier. The soldier asks them where they're going, and then another one appears, who grabs Airi.

One of the villagers stabs him with a pitchfork, so the soldier returns the favor by killing him with a single punch. The other villager tells Airi and Lin to run.

One of the soldiers grabs the villager by the head, and starts to break his neck. Airi and Lin run for it, but the soldiers start chasing after them.

Meanwhile, Bat has managed to get out of the village, and stumbles away from it. He's determined to find Kenshiro. The next morning, Mamiya and Toki are waiting for Kenshiro.

Kenshiro returns, having failed to find a vehicle. Toki assure them he's fine, and says they should hurry on ahead -he has a bad feeling. But they then hear some noise, and see a motorcycle gang heading towards them.

The gang get off their bikes, and ask Mamiya if she wants to go for a ride with them. Mamiya gets ready to fight, but Kenshiro signals for her to wait. He asks them if they're with the Fist King, and they say that they're the Fist King's mobile bike squad.

Kenshiro cracks his knuckles, and the bikers think it's absurd that he's going to take them all on. But Toki suddenly coughs, and Mamiya calls him by name. When the bikers hear this, they realize that if the sick guy is Toki, then the other guy must be... Kenshiro!

One of the bikers says they'll be famous if they can even just take Toki down, so they all charge in. This proves to be unwise, as Kenshiro starts slaughtering them all with ease.

The entire gang is quickly killed. Kenshiro's shoulder pad suddenly breaks into pieces. The group start to move on, but then see something on the ground.

They see a horse's hoof prints, but Mamiya says that this horse must be as big as an elephant. Toki says there's only one man who could ride a horse as big as that. Kenshiro says it has to be the Fist King.

Rei is walking past the ruins of a fairground, and hopes that nothing's happened to Airi and Lin. He then sees someone not that far away, and sees that it's Bat. Bat falls down, still saying that he must see Ken.

Rei rushes over to him, and asks what happened. Bat says that the village was attacked by the Fist King's assault squad, and tells him to hurry -Lin and Airi are... Rei immediately thinks of his sister's safety.

At the village, Gallon says that starting from today, this village is under Lord Fist King's rule. Which means all the villagers must work as his loyal servants, so they must each pledge allegiance to him. He has a container, filled with hot coals, placed out in the open, and says that the villagers must brand their bodies with the Fist King's seal. That will be their proof of loyalty. The first guy is dragged over.

But he says he doesn't want to pledge loyalty -he'd rather die. Gallon tells him that he can do the burning dance of death instead, and nearby, a steel platform is ready. The villager is thrown onto it.

The steel platform is on fire, causing the villager to burn wherever he goes. He catches fire, much to the amusement of the Fist King's soldiers. The villager screams he's pledge his loyalty to the Fist King, and is allowed to jump off. One of the soldiers throws water over him.

Gallon tells the villagers that he won't force any of them, they must swear loyalty by their own free will. The village elder says this is hell, and asks why God won't grant freedom to the weak. The loyalty pledge continues.

Lin and Airi have managed to hide down a dead end, but they can hear the screams of the villagers. Airi says she can't take it anymore, and is certain they'll be found soon. She thinks she'll go back to living in captivity, and thinks they'll live as dolls. She feels that the only way they can live now is by obeying those with power.

Lin tells her not to say that, and says they can't give up hope. She says she's still little, and can't do anything, but she still has hope. She is certain Ken or Rei will save them, so they've got to have faith that they'll come back for them. Then, they can be happy again someday -that's why they can't give up.

Lin laughs, and says she's said way too much. Airi hugs her and then thanks her, saying that she's taught her something about being strong. But then, someone yells out. A soldier calls out that he can see someone down there, and Lin and Airi realize they've been spotted.

Lin throws a blanket over Airi, and tells her not to come out. By the time the soldier comes down, he only sees Lin. Lin picks up an iron bar, and thinks she must save Airi. The guard leers over her.

She tries to attack, but he avoids every swing she makes, and then slaps her down. He picks her up, and says that she can come along with him.

As he walks off with Lin, Airi can only watch. Meanwhile, the villagers have all been branded with the Fist King's seal.

The soldier comes back with Lin, and says there's one runt left. Gallon tells her that even children must swear loyalty to the Fist King, and tells her to brand herself. Lin looks at the crest of the Fist King, but the villager elder says Lin will die if she brands herself.

A solider tells him to shut up, and hits him. Gallon tells Lin that if she doesn't want to pledge her loyalty, perhaps they'll have her dance on the platform until she's burnt to a crisp -the choice is hers. Lin looks at the villagers, and Gallon asks her what she's going to do.

Lin says she won't do it -she'll never obey devils like them, who prey on the weak! She takes her boots off and starts walking towards the platform. She thinks she won't obey a demon -if she ever did that, no matter the reason, it'd mean she was no longer human. It's what Ken taught her.

The villager elder says how courageous Lin is, as she's chosen to die rather than live as a prisoner. Lin gets to the platform, and one of the soldiers asks her if she needs a hand. He tells her not to be afraid, but before he can grab her, someone puts a hand on his face.

Rei has arrived, but the soldier asks him what his deal is. Rei calls him a demon in the guise of a human, and slices him to shreds.

Rei checks on Lin, and tells her to hang in there. Lin tells him that Airi is safe, but then realizes that she's crying. She says it's because she feels safe now. Rei thinks Lin sacrificed herself to protect Airi, even though she's just a child. He wipes some blood off her face, and says look what's happened to her...

Some soldier confront him, and ask what he's doing. Rei calls them all demons, and says they'll pay...

"What color is your blood?!"


NEXT EPISODE PREVIEW

Lin's tears send Rei flying into battle! Behold the true South Star waterfowl fist! Next time, on Fist of the North Star: "Voices from Hell! Rei, Did You See the Harbinger of Death!!"

Kenshiro: The North Star code... I will uphold it.