White Soul

by G L Rathweg

  “Mmhmm.” Steve replied, almost breaking down as the weariness of the past twenty hours bore down on him.

  For the first time his step faltered. For the first time he thought about stopping about going back to the Spirit Realm and giving it up. For the first time he thought about quitting. It was only an instant, only a millisecond, but it was enough. Steve, formerly known as Determination, picked his pace up and steeled his resolve again. He wasn’t no punk ass bitch.

  “That’s right. See, already you have energy again due to me. Your welcome. Don’t worry I don’t expect a thank you.” Dave said cheerily, mistaking Steve’s renewed vigor as his doing.

  “Mmhmm.” Steve replied, moving at full speed once again.

  He wondered if Hiro would pass the trials of the Spirit Realm, wondered if this was all for naught.

  The sun was coming down on the horizon and the day was turning to night. Time was quickly running out and soon things would come to an end one way or the other.

  TRACK 17 – FIGHT TEST – THE FLAMING LIPS

  Freak and I flew up the stairwell like a flying arrow. Nothing halted our progress and soon we were up and into the palace proper. Androgynous snake people paused in their cleaning and home caring tasks, staring blankly at us as we fled.

  “This is amazing!” I squealed, feeling free as I rode my massive best friend of an energy lion.

  “You will not escape!” Eopsin roared, then crashed up through the grand staircase like a freight train, demolishing it in her rage.

  The massive snake was huge, strong, and agile. But it wasn’t as fast as Freak and the two of us didn’t hesitate when we crested the staircase. Freak kept his glowing limbs moving and we leaped and bounded our way out of the palace and into the desert with Sin Seonbi’s palace and Eopsin the Kaiju quickly falling behind us.

  Once in the desert and free of the palace, it was like Freak was given free reign and began to run even faster. He started to run so fast that before I knew it, we were in the sky. We flew deftly through the air heading towards the huge mountain way in the distance.

  I howled in excitement and laughed in joy as we coasted freely through the open sky. I got a hold of myself and assessed the situation. Sin Seonbi had said that time had runout and that I didn’t have enough left to make it up the mountain trial. What he hadn’t accounted for was my new companion and the speed we were travelling at. This would get us to the mountain much sooner than even Sin Seonbi could have guessed. I closed my eyes and focused outward with my senses questing towards the huge rocky monstrosity.

  At the very edge of my senses I could feel the familiar Ki of Dangun and his Mother. I relayed this to Freak and he changed the angle of our flight slightly, heading directly towards the source of the familiar Ki.

  First the minutes went by and then the hours, as the mountain slowly began to grow in size. I had underestimated our distance from it and now Sin Seonbi’s warnings made much more sense.

  “Well boy, I don’t know, do you think you have enough energy to make it to the top of that mountain?” I asked my feline spirit mount.

  Freak roared in response and flared his energy. Immediately we were cruising faster. While I appreciated my friend’s enthusiasm, he may have over exaggerated his abilities. A few hours later his Ki energy was flagging. Even with me lending him mine we were out of gas, so to speak. We began looking for landing spots. On the bright side of things, we had made it to the massive mountain’s base.

  The terrain had varied during our flight and I’d seen everything I could possibly imagine. I was quite surprised to see such a normal looking mountain field at the mountain’s base. I pointed this out to Freak. He growled in response then headed down, landing a bit roughly on the soft green grass. I jumped off my tired friend, eager to give him some relief. My own Ki was depleted having had to share it with him and I recreated a similar landing next to my large friend.

  Freak growled, well more mewled, then fell to his belly exhausted, already snoring as he hit the grass. I grinned despite my weariness and surveyed the area I’d chosen for our landing. The Spirit Realm was extremely dangerous and I didn’t want us taken unawares while we rested.

  “I’m gonna scout the area real quick buddy.” I called, to my already sleeping cat spirit. Snores and growls were my only reply.

  I took a big stretch and looked around, deciding on a direction to start. A small pond about fifty feet away fed by a small stream seemed like a good place to begin, so I headed over cautiously. The reason for my caution was the utter normalcy of everything. From the colors to the setting itself it all seemed very much idyllic and that set my hackles on edge.

  Each step I swiveled my head looking every which way but loose and each time there was nothing dangerous or trying to kill me lurking just beyond my vision. I glanced over at Freak and he was still snoring loudly without a care in the world. I turned back to the water and made my way to it’s edge. I began to notice how dry my throat was and famished I felt. I discovered that the rations that Kumwa had gifted me were gone. Either lost or destroyed in during my escapades in and fleeing the cavern.

  I knelt and did one more look around before bending down and scooping up a double handful of the crystal clear water. I could see all the way to the bottom and it was moving from the stream so I wasn’t worried about it being tainted.

  The moment the water hit my lips I could have almost wept it was so delicious. It was fresh, sweet, clean, and the most fantastic water I’d every drank before. The tasty liquid filled me, sating my thirst and staving off my hunger. I sat back and scanned the area again, still nothing. A putrid smell hit me out of nowhere. I crinkled my nose and looked for the source, realizing the foul odor was from me.

  I glanced at Freak sheepishly even though he was still asleep and decided to wash up and clean my clothes while I had a moment. A few moments later I was completely naked. The previously dirty garments were lying out in the sun drying as I worked on cleaning my filthy body. I had a minute of wondering about having to clean myself in a different realm of existence, but got over it as it felt so good. I finished up and then headed back to the shore to check on my cat pal.

  On my way to Freak, just as I was about to pull my foot out of the water it got stuck and I was yanked back. I lost my balance and tripped backward crashing back into the pond.

  “Oh shit!” I cried, my swear cutting off as the water covered my mouth.

  I was about to sit up when a pair of hands reached up around my waist from below and grabbed me tight. While this was scary as fuck in itself, the fact that I had been in two feet of water and the hands came from below just enhanced the fear factor. Bubbles of air fled my lungs as I screamed and flailed in panic and terror.

  My kicking and punching arms and legs splashed water around like an out of control firehose. The exertion along with the screaming soon had my lungs empty. Blackness started to creep in on the corners of my vision and I knew I’d soon pass out from asphyxiation. I had experienced the sensation before at the hands of family members and bullies. It was either give up now or fight and figure a way out of this. I steeled my resolve and fought as hard and vicious as I could against my assailant.

  All my fighting was futile. The hands wouldn’t let me go no matter how I struggled and I was out of breath. An idea occurred to me and I decided to go for it with all my being. My Ki Soul was still refilling and I only had a quarter of my Ki Bar full. It didn’t matter because it had to be enough. I activated Extreme Focus and concentrated all my will on my remaining Ki. I flared it all around my body then released it in one simultaneous jolt.

  My Ki hit the creature holding me. An ear-piercing screech sounded out, seeming as if it started and ended in the center of my brain. The hands retracted like unbuckling a seatbelt. I lashed out and rose from the water, inhaling as much air as my tortured lungs could take in.

  After my first breath of air I stumbled forward in a blind choking coughing morass eager to get out of the water and back onto land. I wi
ped the water from my eyes and choked up the last bit of liquid from my lungs. I fell to my knees while catching my breath. A few seconds later I was ok enough to look back at the pool of water and my eyes went wide as took in the view before me. Standing there in the pool was a duplicate of me.

  Not some evil version of me but an exact copy from top to bottom of me. It stumbled over and fell to the pond’s bank just a half dozen feet from me and went through the same routine I just had. Now, my fear was replaced with confusion as I watched the other me do, well me.

  It finished up and then stood across from me. We stared at each other, a mirror version of one another. Freak woke up and growled loudly then yawned, glancing around sleepily. Both of our heads snapped to the large lion cat spirit who to his credit just stared at us like all cats stare at humans, with disdain and indifference.

  “Freak, come here buddy!” I called, beckoning my soulmate to my side.

  “Freak, come here buddy!” My doppelganger echoed.

  I shot it a glare and it mirrored my look perfectly. Freak had gotten up and started to trot to over to me. When the doppelganger called out he stopped perplexed, looking from me to the doppelganger and back again.

  “Don’t listen to him. He’s a monster.” I said, pointing to the doppelganger.

  “Don’t listen to him. He’s a monster.” The doppelganger mimicked.

  Freak looked back and forth between us. Confusion written across his face. He shook his head and strolled forward, stepping in the middle of me and the doppelganger. He stopped there and kept looking back from me to the doppelganger again and again. This continued for a few moments longer. I was about to say something when he turned faster than I could see and bit the head of the doppelganger right off.

  He sat on his haunches and chewed slowly as the headless imposter flailed around for a minute and then crashed to the ground still. I stared from one to the other. Freak finished chewing and swallowed his bite as I patted him on the head.

  “Let me get my clothes and we can go.” I said, as Freak bent down to finish his meal.

  My clothes were still a bit wet but I shrugged into them anyway. I was just putting my shoes on when Freak trotted over licking the last bits of the fake me from his maw. Note to self don’t ever get into a position where Freak has to eat you because he can. I shook my head then stood, stretched, and patted him on the head again.

  “How are you feeling? Are you recharged and ready to go?” I asked, giving him a raised eyebrow.

  He bumped his huge glowing head into me and licked me on the cheek. I took that as an affirmative. And after Freak stretched and stood up on all fours I hopped on his back. The Celestial Lion looked over his shoulder and gave me an, ‘are you ready look?’ and I nodded in return. He turned back to the front and with a strong leaping bound we were airborne once again, cruising towards Dangun’s familiar Ki and the peak of the mountain.

  MEANWHILE BACK IN THE HUMAN REALM…

  “Here we are friend Steve on our circuit. The sun is going down and Hiro should be back soon. How do you feel about stopping by Ms. Parker’s since this is our last time around? No? Come on old boy!” Dave pleaded, pouring his whole being into it since it was the last time.

  “Mmhmm.” Steve replied, getting up and beginning the last run around the block.

  “I know that tone you bastard. Memories are not to be taken lightly. One day we will be on our death beds and this memory could be the difference between dying happy and dying a sad old bastard who never experienced anything in his tired old life.” Dave said, impassioned but with the resignation of one who knows they’ve already lost as well.

  For some reason this struck a chord in Steve. He paused midstride then turned and continued jogging. This time on a slightly different route then before.

  “Steve! I fucking love you Steve! You are my god damn hero! Ms. Parker here we come!” Dave cheered.

  The sun was just about down now and only a sliver of light silhouetted the running man in the newly burgeoning night.

  MEANWHILE, BACK IN THE SPIRIT REALM AT THE PEAK OF MOUNT TAEBAEK-SAN…

  “I think you may have bet on the wrong horse this time dear. The boy did look rather fragile and naïve.” Mother said, taking a sip of Celestial Spirit Green Tea from a very ornate teacup.

  “Once again, thank you for the vote of confidence Mother.” Dangun replied, taking a sip of his own tea and staring off into the horizon in the clear dawn morning.

  Although he had tried to deny it the worry was evident in Dangun’s mannerisms and countenance. A fact which his Mother kept pointing out to his ever increasing ire.

  “Oh dear, you know that I love you and that you are my special boy but you also know that…” Mother said, continuing on a tirade that was eons familiar to Dangun.

  The Celestial Emperor set his cup down and leaned his chin on his hand. He stared off relegating his mother’s nattering to the depths of his psyche. He had to admit she was somewhat right. Time was running out and with only a little more than an hour left before they had to return to the Human Realm.

  “…so, with that said it’s probably time to give up on this escapade dear.” His mother finished, looking pointedly at Dangun with the gaze she had used since time immemorial to coerce him into her way of thinking.

  He was about to give in when a commotion began at the entrance of the palace. From their vantage point Dangun could see what was going on and recognized the three Sannin were the cause. They were all atop their Kaiju pets and were arguing fiercely with the gate guards though he couldn’t make out what they were saying. Dangun looked around for Hiro but didn’t see him with them. The Celestial Emperor surmised this was probably the crux of the argument.

  “Ah, the teachers are here but I don’t see a sign of the boy?” Mother mused.

  She made a gesture and a dove created out of her rainbow-colored Ki flew from her fingertips and down to the three arguers below.

  The dove flew around the trio and they stopped arguing. A minute later the three of them were standing in front of Mother and Dangun. They had moved to the roof of the palace to accommodate the Sannin’s massive pets and who were sitting behind their master’s, each mirroring their temperaments.

  Ja Cheongbi had RBF, resting bitch face, which was a term picked up from Hiro and Dangun thought it quite appropriate. She was quite upset, so much that it showed all over her usually mysterious countenance. Kumwa on the other hand threw a wink at the emperor. When they locked eyes, Kumwa kept that mischievous and slightly idiotic smile plastered across his face. Jecha just looked indifferent. Sin Seonbi’s countenance was a veritable thundercloud of anger and rage. One could practically see it seething through his aura. A novice could tell he was using a considerable amount of willpower to keep his Ki Soul in check. Eopsin was the same her tail rattling though she wasn’t that type of snake.

  “Where is the boy?” Sin Seonbi hissed, rage evident in his voice and Eopsin hissing loudly in concurrence.

  Dangun raised my eyebrow at that, giving his mother a sideways look. To her credit, she looked just as surprised as Dangun was and they turned their attention back to the Sannin.

  “I would also like to know where the Void Element User is, we have unfinished business.” Ja Cheongbi added, her face still sour.

  Gangta just nodded. I saw she wasn’t full of ire like her master, but full of worry for the boy.

  I grinned at the giant slug, she always did form attachments easily. I was now worried about Hiro. Since it was obvious that he wasn’t with the Sannin and that they didn’t know where he was at the moment, I decided to hear their stories.

  “What has happened?” I asked.

  All three broke out at once and tried to talk over the others.

  “Quiet!” Mother roared, and all three snapped their mouths shut at my mother’s command.

  She nodded in satisfaction at the response.

  “Where is the child?” Mother asked, gesturing for Ja Cheongbi to go first.

&nbs
p; “I do not know Mother. I took him for training and then…” Ja Cheongbi began, relating the events that happened while Hiro was with her for training until he left.

  She finished her story by saying she was going to bring him to Kumwa’s to continue his training but the Sannin came and picked Hiro up himself.

  “That is one way to look at it.” Kumwa joked, while Ja Cheongbi stared daggers at him.

  He related his time with Hiro beginning with the situation at Ja Cheongbi’s island paradise.

  “You and I will talk later Ja Cheongbi.” I said, glaring at the female Sannin who had the intelligence to look abashed or at least the good nature to feign it. I turned my attention back to Kumwa with a frown. “So, you left him at the edge of Sin Seonbi’s desert?”

  “Don’t look at me like that Dangun. You know that if I enter Sin’s territory or he mine we will certainly do battle. Besides, I like the boy he did well in training I figured he’d knock out Sin Seonbi’s portion and be here before the deadline. I honestly didn’t even think the mountain trial would set him back much.” Kumwa explained.

  “Enough of this prattle! The boy stole from me and I will have my recompense!” Sin Seonbi cried, interrupting Kumwa and me.

  I turned my attention to the enraged Sannin and gave him a raised eyebrow. He realized the error he just made but his anger so such that he didn’t care and kept up his tirade.

  “The boy bonded with Eopsin’s child while in training. Then after bonding he hatched the egg and absconded with the newly born child, my Eopsin’s child! A once in a millennia Kaiju baby!” He hissed, with Eopsin roaring for emphasis.

  I shared an incredulous look with Mother and she gave me one in return then we both turned our attention back to the snake like Sannin. Mother took the lead.

  “How was it possible for the boy to bond with the unborn Kaiju in the first place?” She asked Sin Seonbi, her tone suspicious and it was now that the Sannin realized his mistake.