**********
Zen closed the distance and pulled Balance across his forearm. It cut deep and, for a moment, the blood flowed and then it disappeared. The focus of the Rah Ven in the mist shifted and centered on him. He could feel it. The mist was alive, full of power and energy: he only had to use it, surrender to it. The power flowed through him as the Balance stopped vibrating and settled into a low-level thrumming. Everything and everyone in the mist was known to him now. A low growl escaped his lips, matched by the Rah Ven in the mist.
Zen swung his weapon down, a blow designed to crush his opponent. Erio met the blow and parried with his scythe. Zen pulled his weapon down. It caused both weapons to crash to the ground in a shower of sparks that illuminated the mist and the hovering Rah Ven.
Erio disengaged and slashed behind him, cleaving several of the Rah Ven in two. The Rah Ven separated and disappeared into the mist.
“It would seem this is no ordinary mist,” said Erio. “But it is still subject to the laws of nature.”
Erio blurred his hands and rotated his scythe, creating a wind. The mist began to dissipate, and Erio smiled. Around him, the Rah Ven gathered, surrounding them both. Zen jumped forward with an angular slash that started at the ground and aimed to slice Erio from his hip to his opposite shoulder. It forced Erio to defend or be cut in half. With their weapons locked, the mist enveloped them immediately. Erio kicked forward, a crushing strike that connected with Zen’s midsection. Zen doubled over and staggered back. He recovered the next second and blocked the next kick with the shaft of Balance. Erio swung his scythe in a horizontal slash, fast, in an attempt to remove Zen’s head. It wasn’t fast enough. Zen crouched under the slash and rotated in a tight circle. He whipped Balance around and buried it in Erio’s side.
“Now, Kal!” he yelled. “Do it now!”
Kal dropped her camouflage and thrust both her swords into Erio’s back. Their blades protruded from his chest. He looked back at her, a look of mild annoyance on his face. He flung his arm back and backhanded her back into the mist. The muffled sound of her body hitting the ground filled Zen’s ears. Erio looked down at the swords and made a gesture. Within seconds, the weapons dissolved from his body.
“Your weapons are useless against me,” said Erio. “It was a valiant effort, and for that I will make your death fast.”
He reached down and grabbed Zen by the throat. Zen tried to dislodge Balance, but it refused to budge. Around the edges of his vision, he began to see spots as the world closed in. A scream filled the area as another blade punched its way through Erio’s midsection, missing Zen by a fraction of an inch. Dena had driven the sword Luna had given to Zen into the Reaper. Erio looked down and dismissed the attack as he returned his focus to Zen. When the black viscous trails started creeping up his body, he looked at Dena. He swung his arm around and struck her against the side of the head, sending her and her weapon flying. She died before she fell to the ground.
The black trails were moving faster now. They travelled all along Erio’s body, enveloping him. He let go of Zen, who fell to the ground gasping for breath, his hand still grasping his weapon. With one last pull, he managed to remove Balance as Erio fell to his knees.
“You have achieved nothing,” said Erio. “The desired outcome has been accomplished.”
Zen turned to face Erio after regaining his breath. He squatted down next to him.
“What outcome?” asked Zen. “What are you talking about?”
Erio rolled onto his back and laughed. “I will answer your question with one of my own. Now that the threat I posed is gone, who will the mist attack now?”
As the realization dawned on Zen, he turned to look into the city. “The Rah Ven,” he whispered. Erio laughed harder. “You gave it your blood. It will want more,” said Erio.
“But I was told—” began Zen as he held Balance.
“…That this was the only way to face the oncoming threat,” said Erio. “That only with this weapon, with the rending mist, could the Reapers be stopped, yes?”
Zen nodded silently. The mist had begun to move now. It was flowing slowly into the city and away from Zen. Balance pulsed quietly in his hand. He looked down at the weapon, feeling the power course through his body.
“It wasn’t the healer that gave you that weapon,” said Erio. “That old bitch should be dead by now. It was one of mine that found and gave you the weapon.”
He grabbed Erio by the collar and pulled him close. Erio groaned in pain, but smiled.
“How do I stop this?” asked Zen. “How do I make the mist stop?”
“You can’t. The mist will run through the city and destroy every living thing. It will fill this plane until nothing alive is left and then it will remain, waiting. Even now it has left you.”
The clear night sky greeted him as Zen looked up. The mist had gone.
“No…” said Zen in disbelief.
“Your legacy will be greater than the original bearer of that weapon,” said Erio through forced breaths. “You will be remembered as the one who destroyed the Rah Ven.”
The scythe beside Erio began to disintegrate, and he smiled. “My time here is done. I think you will be joining me soon. I look forward to our next meeting,” he said as he collapsed in Zen’s grip.
Zen dropped Erio’s lifeless body. The black trails fully covered it as it disintegrated along with his scythe. Kal limped back, holding one arm, clearly broken from the impact of her fall.
“Kal,” said Zen as tears streamed down his face.
“I’m here,” she said.
Zen walked over to where Dena’s lifeless body lay. He knelt down beside her. “What have I done?” he said, as he took Dena’s hands into his own. “The mist can’t be stopped.”
“I heard,” she said. “There has to be a way. We will find it no matter what it is.” She reached up and placed a hand against his face.
“So many lives sacrificed,” he said, “the Rah Ven are going to die because of me.”
Kal gently removed Dena’s hands from his and placed them down across her abdomen. She brushed the hair away from Dena’s face and closed her eyes.
“There is one way to stop this mist,” said a voice behind them.
It was Luna. Ten of the Rah Ven Guard accompanied her. They all had their weapons drawn as they approached.
“How?” said Kal, drawing a blade with her good arm.
“He has to die,” said Luna.
TWENTY-FOUR
TETRA ARRIVED IN the hub, wounded and powerless. The Keeper had suppressed his ability to absorb chi with that blast. He was growing weaker by the second and running out of options. He needed energy, life. He looked around and found himself in a deserted Gantry Park. Behind him, two Rah Ven entered. They were in human form and held blades in their hands.
“You need to come with us,” said the one on the left.
Tetra brought his wrist to his mouth and bit down, removing a part of his flesh. The Rah Ven opened their eyes in surprise.
“What are you doing?” said the one on the right.
Behind them, the portal closed. They looked down at Tetra’s arm. No blood flowed.
“I’m doing what I need to do,” said Tetra. “I have someone I need to kill.”
“You won’t survive long like that,” said the Rah Ven on the left.
“Long enough to do what I must,” replied Tetra.
Power began flooding his body as he devoured his own chi. Running out of time, he began to open another portal. The Rah Ven on the left tackled him before he could finish. Tetra rolled with the Rah Ven and kicked him off. The other Rah Ven attacked and Tetra leaped out of the way, avoiding the attack. He opened a portal and jumped through it, sealing it behind him.
“Do you think he knows?” said the Rah Ven on the left.
“He will. In a few seconds, when he meets the Keeper,” said the other Rah Ven. “Let’s head back.”
TWENTY-FIVE
MARA CARRIED MEJA through the po
rtal and found herself in a forest. She recognized it immediately. This is the home of the Mikai. Why would Dante be here?
She could sense the Mikai in the trees. She knelt slowly and placed Meja gently on the ground.
“I am Mara, bonded to Sylk of the house of Iman,” she said to the trees around her. “I seek sanctuary in the home of Master Zanshi.”
For a few moments, nothing happened. Then all around her activity filled the forest. Three green-clad Mikai approached her. The camouflage they used made it seem like they materialized in front of her. Each of them bore an insignia of crossed swords on their left shoulder. The center Mikai, taller than the other two, stepped closer to Mara.
“I am Cer, and your request for sanctuary will be honored,” she said.
Mara let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding. She bent down to pick up Meja but Cer stopped her.
“We will do this,” said Cer. “You are our guests and will be treated as such.”
Two of the green-clad Mikai brought a makeshift stretcher made of fabric and placed Meja in it. Rope attached to each end was then pulled tight, lifting Meja off the ground. They walked to the same home Mara remembered from her last visit here. At the threshold, only Cer and two Mikai remained. Seconds later the door opened, revealing Lady Ono. Cer bowed and Lady Ono frowned at her and let it turn into a slight smile.
“I will have to speak to Mariko about this show of loyalty,” she said.
“Yes, my lady,” said Cer, barely suppressing a smile herself.
“Who do we have here?” asked Ono.
“They arrived at the far end of the forest,” said Cer. “It was not an appointed location. She sought the sanctuary of this house and Master Zanshi, my lady.”
Ono looked at Mara and smiled. She opened her arms and took her into a warm hug.
“You, I remember—Mara, is it not?” said Ono. “Her sanctuary is granted. Thank you, Cer. You may return to Mariko. You two can bring in Meja,” she said as she turned and headed inside.
Cer bowed and disappeared into the forest.
Mara followed Ono into the house, bowed her head. “Thank you, Lady Ono, we—”
Ono held up her hand, silencing Mara, and turned to face her. Lifting her head up by the chin, she said. “In this house you will address me as Ono and only Ono. I will not be some puffed-up figurine.”
“Yes, my—yes, Ono,” said Mara.
“Good,” said Ono, smiling. “Your master and the warrior holding death by the tail are in the back with my husband. I will tend to your unconscious friend. You may go join them.”
A Mikai appeared beside Mara and led her to the rear courtyard. She saw Sylk and Dante speaking with Master Zanshi.
**********
I had sensed Mara and Meja when they were some distance away, but I didn’t say anything, certain that the two men beside me possessed powers greater than my own and that I would only be stating the obvious. Meja was unconscious but otherwise unhurt; Mara looked a bit frazzled, but not physically hurt. I was surprised Kenji was not with them. Those questions would have to wait for later. I turned my focus back to the conversation. We sat at a large mahogany table that was low to the ground. The cushions under our knees kept the cold stone floor from being unbearable. In front of each of us, small, delicate cups held steaming tea. Zanshi finished, pouring his cup as he spoke.
“I convened a clan meeting for tonight,” said Zanshi. “They will come.”
“Not all the clan leaders are your allies, master,” said Sylk.
Zanshi waved the statement away. “None would dare attack me,” he said. “Besides, this concerns the entire clan if not all the Mikai.”
“Why is this glyph so important?” I asked. “What does it mean?”
“It is an ancient glyph of inversion,” said Zanshi. “A Mikai glyph. Few know of it. Even fewer can wield it. If this glyph appeared at your ritual, it was put there either by a Mikai or someone who knows our ways.”
“So this meeting is for what?” I asked.
“This meeting is a way of shaking the forest,” said Zanshi. “And seeing which leaves fall loose. They will gather here tonight with smiles and praises. Do not let your guard down. One of them serves the one that wants to end your life.”
Zanshi bowed and excused himself to prepare for the meeting, leaving Sylk and me alone. Mara stepped closer until she was next to Sylk. She knelt at his side and refilled his cup.
“Tell me what happened,” he said as he gently touched her hand, signaling her to stop. She recounted what had happened in the Rah Ven plane, how she Meja and Kenji had fought the Reaper.
“Are you certain it was a chi erasure?” asked Sylk.
Mara nodded before speaking. “Kenji hit Meja and made it so she couldn’t complete it,” she said. “Then he did it. Black tendrils connected the Reaper to him and then it just dried up. The life was taken from them. He was the last one.”
“Aurora won’t be pleased about this,” I said. “I’m going to miss that old man.”
“I understand, but we have more pressing matters besides Aurora and your feelings,” said Sylk, standing. “For all we know there could be a massive slaughter on the Rah Ven plane even while we sit here.”
“Which is why you will remain here,” said Zanshi, putting a hand on Sylk’s shoulder and sitting him down. “I will not risk your going to the Rah Ven plane and walking into that.”
“That?” asked Sylk. “What do you know?”
“I will tell you, on one condition,” said Zanshi. “After I tell you, you will not go and try to rescue the Rah Ven. It is not your place.”
“As a friend to the pack I cant ignore—”
“That is my condition, yes or no?”
“I accept your condition,” said Sylk. “But I don’t like it.”
“I never said you had to,” said Zanshi. “First things first. You are not Alpha and never were. Is this clear?”
Sylk nodded.
“You are a Karashihan that is bound to a Keep. You could never be Alpha.”
“I had to…” Sylk let the words trail off under Zanshi’s stare.
“Second, and more relevant than the first, is that I’m told the rending mist has been let loose on the Rah Ven plane.”
“Impossible—they would never use that weapon again, not after last time,” said Sylk. “I thought it was lost.”
Zanshi placed both hands on the table and spoke in a measured tone. “It was lost in the same way Shadowstrike was considered lost. Weapons of that caliber always attract those who think they can use them.” Zanshi looked at me as he said this. “The reality is something different.”
“I can’t believe they would unleash that weapon. This is madness,” said Sylk.
Zanshi kept looking at me, his gaze impassive. When he spoke, I could tell that Sylk had ventured into dangerous territory. He turned to face Sylk as he sipped his tea.
“Several of my people died to deliver that message,” said Zanshi. “I think it is more than possible if the Rah Ven thought they faced an unstoppable enemy.”
“My apologies, master. I meant no offense,” said Sylk. “Do we know who wields Balance?” asked Sylk. “Who would be willing to sacrifice his life this way?”
“You have not given me any offense,” said Zanshi with a slight smile. “That information did not arrive with the messenger. As soon as I find out, I will inform you.”
Sylk looked into Zanshi’s eyes, who returned his gaze without flinching.
“Thank you, master,” said Sylk. “It would help to know who they used for this.”
“The better question is, who profits from this?”
“Wheel?” asked Sylk. “If so, he is playing a long game. What does he gain by removing the Rah Ven?”
“Long indeed,” said Zanshi. “They key lies with the inversion glyph. In the meantime, my daughter would like to speak to you about your friend.”
“Mara, please take Dante on ahead to meet with Mariko,” said Sylk. �
�I need to discuss something with my teacher about tonight.”
I nodded and left them alone. I wanted to find out about Meja’s condition.
Mara and I made our way to the other side of the courtyard, where I saw a group of Mikai around a younger version of Lady Ono. Where Lady Ono possessed a beauty refined by years, Mariko’s beauty stole your breath and left you wondering what your name was. I did my best to remain composed, about as easy as not sweating while standing next to the sun. She spoke to the Mikai around her, giving them instructions. When she caught sight of us, she motioned for us to come closer.
Mara and I bowed in greeting, a gesture that she returned. She sat at a table covered with papers and diagrams and some assorted weapons.
“Hello again, Mara,” she said. “It is good to see you.”
“Is something wrong with Meja?” I asked.
“Why would there be something wrong with her?” she replied. “She is resting and recovering from her most recent battle.”
“Your father said you need to speak to us about her,” I answered.
She looked at me as if confused for a second and then smiled. “It would seem Father needed to speak to Sylk privately,” she said. “I do, however, have some news for you, Dante. I have discovered a way to continue the ritual here with the Mikai on this plane.”
“Without a circle?” I asked. “How is that possible?”
She shuffled some of the papers in front of her and handed me a sheet. I saw diagrams for a circle along with a series of glyphs. I could just make out what the glyphs meant.
“This looks dangerous,” I said. “How are you going to contain the energy released?”
“We aren’t,” she said. “Those glyphs are not placed around a circle.” She looked down at my arms and I understood.
Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy Page 65
