“You mean…?” I began.
“We will add these glyphs to the ones you possess,” she said. “You will contain the energy released.”
“And if it doesn’t work?”
“Your death will be spectacular and the third focus will be lost,” she said without a trace of a smile.
**********
Sylk sat in silence and let his teacher drink tea. Neither spoke while they drank.
“You have progressed much since you were a student here,” said Zanshi as he placed his cup on the table and looked over to where Mara and Dante sat. “And I see your student is coming along quite well.”
“I owe most of that to you and your teachings, chief among them being clarity of mind and purpose,” said Sylk.
“As well as subterfuge and deception where and when needed,” said Zanshi.
“You also taught me to listen to what is said in the spaces between words,” replied Sylk. “Who is wielding the Balance?”
“The one that is a guardian to your warrior, who goes by the name of Zen,” said Zanshi. “There is a complication.”
“A complication would be welcome. This has surpassed that by several orders of magnitude,” replied Sylk. “How is this possible? I thought only a Rah Ven could wield that weapon?”
“As you know, he was given Rah Ven blood; it appears that whatever their healer did made it possible.”
Sylk remained silent for a moment. “When Dante hears about this he will want to go,” said Sylk.
“You will make sure he doesn’t,” answered Zanshi. “He must stay here and complete the ritual or his life is forfeit. Aside from that, it is physically impossible now. The Rah Ven plane is under the influence of the rending mist. It would be suicide.”
“Complete the ritual here?” asked Sylk. “There is no circle on this plane strong enough to contain the energy of the ritual. We need a Watch and I don’t think the danger of the mist will be a deterrent.”
“Regardless, he must stay here until it is done,” said Zanshi. Keep him here.”
“I don’t see this without a circle, master. When I found him at the last circle, the energy signature it possessed was immense,” said Sylk. “And it had been destroyed.”
“Mariko thinks she has that solved. Her idea is risky but worth it, if it works,” said Zanshi. “As for the rending mist, I am afraid the Rah Ven must deal with this alone while it is in place.”
“There is only one way to stop that mist,” said Sylk. “The weapon bearer must sacrifice his life.”
“Only if he lacks the strength to control the weapon,” replied Zanshi. “It is the same with any weapon of power. Your ebony blade—did you forget the first time you held it in battle?”
Sylk nodded as he remembered. “I nearly lost myself to it the first time,” he said. “I had help in overcoming it.”
“Yes, you were fortunate that we were able to assist you,” said Zanshi. “The weapon and the wielder must become one; but if the wielder loses control, he becomes an empty vessel and many lives are lost. This is what occurred to Braca with Balance and why they hid it. He was not strong enough to hold it.”
“The timing of its use is suspect, master,” said Sylk. “This is not a coincidence.”
“I agree, but we can only hope the guardian is strong enough and disciplined enough to resist and control Balance,” said Zanshi as he stood. “The meeting for tonight is prepared. Let us go see what Mariko is planning.”
**********
Sylk and Master Zanshi approached our table as we were discussing the chances of my spectacular death.
“Without a circle you will have to contain the energy for the ritual,” said Mariko. “The sliver you possess along with the glyphs we will give you should make this possible.”
“Why not just go to a Watch?” I asked. “That sounds simpler with less of a chance of my dying during the ritual.”
“A circle could minimize the risk, however travelling to the North Watch to complete the ritual increases that risk considerably,” said Zanshi. “The fact that someone interrupted it means that you are being watched. Someone went through great trouble to prevent you from completing it.”
“Do we know who?” I figured that was the most important question.
“We have an idea,” said Sylk. “A Samadhi called the Wheel, and if he can use this glyph, you can’t face him at your current level of power.”
“How strong is he?” I needed to know who or what I was facing.
“You remember Lucius’s shadow?” asked Sylk.
I nodded, keeping silent. I remembered the searing, the pain and agony his shadow inflicted on me.
“Whoever used the inversion glyph is ten times stronger than Lucius’s shadow,” said Sylk.
“The only way you can face him is to complete the ritual, here with us,” said Zanshi.
“Has this ever been done before?” I asked. “Or am I to be the test subject?”
“There has never been a need to do it this way in the past,” said Mariko. “We can’t be certain of the outcome. However, what is your alternative?”
“So I have no choice is what you’re saying,” I said.
Sylk put a hand on my shoulder. “I know we haven’t always been allies, but in this our purposes align,” he said. “You always have a choice even when that choice looks bleak. You can opt not to complete the ritual.”
“And Shadowstrike kills me,” I answered.
“The sliver of Shadowstrike will kill you if you don’t complete the ritual, yes,” said Zanshi. “It will undo your chi if you don’t bond to it through the ritual, which would result in your death.”
“And if I bond to it?”
“The potential power available to you can put you on equal footing with the Samadhi,” he answered. “Like any other weapon of power, it will prolong your years.”
“Isn’t this just like Maelstrom? “ I said, looking at Sylk. “Eventually it will want to destroy everything, starting with me?”
“Although Shadowstrike was created by the house of Iman, it has a very different purpose,” said Mariko. “Maelstrom is entropy given form. Its purpose is chaos.”
“Shadowstrike,” continued Zanshi, “was created as a check to that power; the existence of one requires the other. I am certain you experienced this in your initial encounter with the weapon.”
I nodded, remembering my brief conversation with the weapon that now had the potential to kill me.
“Enough conversation,” said a quiet voice full of steel. “You will do this because this is what you must do. No one else can and so it falls to you, warrior.”
Meja unmasked behind Sylk, who remained unstartled—unlike Mara, myself and some of the Mikai around the table who were part of Mariko’s group.
When did she learn to mask like that? I couldn’t sense her at all. She’s transformed somehow.
“It is good to see you up and about, monitor,” Sylk said without turning.
“I no longer hold that title and probably never will again, Karashihan,” she said. “‘Meja’ will suffice.”
Sylk bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Noted,” he said.
I noticed something different about her. Physically she was the same. She wore loose black pants and a form-fitting top. She kept her hair pulled back in a tight braid, and her deep green eyes pierced through me as she spoke. She didn’t possess the beauty of Mariko, but she stopped my breath regardless.
I used my innersight and examined her. A white flash filled my vision as the table receded from me. It took me a moment to realize that the table wasn’t moving. I flew across the courtyard and landed unceremoniously near the garden where I encountered Zanshi.
That looked painful, vessel, said Shadowstrike with a small laugh. She possesses a weapon of considerable power. Not as powerful as I am, but formidable in its own right. Do not provoke her.
Meja glided over to where I sat. As I dusted myself off, she stood there and looked down at me a second before
she extended her hand. The right side of my face throbbed from the impact of her slap.
“You used your innersight on me without my consent,” she said. “I told you once never to do that, to me or anyone else. How did you get past my defenses?”
“What defenses?” I answered.
She looked at me long and hard for a moment. “No one has been able to get through my masks, until now,” she answered. “Are you saying you did this without thinking?”
“I apologize,” I said as I took her hand and she hoisted me up. “I’m done trusting just what my eyes can see. I needed to make sure; and I was right, you’ve changed.”
“You could have asked,” she said. “The changes you saw…you can’t share that, with anyone, ever.”
“I won’t and can’t,” I said. I barely understand what I saw. Only that she has become stronger, much stronger. “Would you have told me if I did?”
“No,” she said. “But asking is the proper thing to do for a warrior. You have to do this ritual, you know that.”
“I know, except I don’t even know what the ritual is,” I said.
“Then isn’t that the question you should be asking?” she said. “Instead of worrying about dying, accept that death is part of the equation.”
We walked over to the table where the group had remained seated. I noticed no one felt the need to rush to my aid as Meja had launched me away from them.
“The use of your innersight can have serious consequences,” said Sylk. “You must learn to use it with subtlety. As a tool, it is a scalpel, not a sword.”
“In my day,” began Zanshi, “what you just did would have earned you more than a small slap. Consider yourself fortunate.”
“Come with me and we will get you prepared,” said Mariko. “You will not attend the meeting tonight.”
We stepped away from the table with several Mikai in tow. I noticed that Meja had also joined the group as we walked away. When we had walked some distance, I spoke.
“Is using my innersight that dangerous?” I asked.
“Innersight, for those who can use it, is a powerful ability,” said Mariko as she gave Meja a sidelong glance. “You perceive the deepest parts of a person, with no barriers. They are laid bare to you.”
“That, I understand,” I replied. “How is that dangerous to me, though?”
“It’s not one way, warrior,” she said. “You are being seen the way you are seeing, completely open. Strengths and weaknesses exposed.”
I looked back at Meja who appeared to be speaking to one of the Mikai. I could see how that would pose a significant risk.
“Let me share something with you,” said Mariko. “When Meja appeared back at the table, you were startled.”
“”Yes,” I said. “I didn’t even sense her there.”
“You noticed that I was not surprised, nor was my father or Master Sylk.”
“You all knew she was there,” I said. “I still need to learn how to do that.”
“No, you’re mistaken,” she answered. “We didn’t know she was there. Because of our training, our senses are always aware on some level. She registered as emptiness, as nothingness. Do you understand this concept?”
“She was void?” I asked.
“Yes, exactly; so when I sensed that void, I subtly tried to use my innersight and was stopped by a formidable mask,” she said. “It let me know someone was there and that is all.”
“When I used my innersight…I didn’t sense a barrier or mask,” I said. “I just saw…I saw all of her.”
She nodded as we entered the house. Several more Mikai waited for us. “Did she swear an oath to you?”
“Yes, a while back she gave her word to protect me with her life,” I said. “She is my guardian.”
“You are well protected, warrior,” she said. “That oath is the foundation, yes, but it doesn’t explain the depth,” she said. “The manner in which you circumvented her defenses only points to one thing.”
“What? That she has a vicious backhand?”
Mariko smiled. “You deserved that,” she said. “Your approach was a bludgeon when it should have been a caress. Had it been anyone else attempting it, I doubt her response would have been so gentle.”
“Right, gentle,” I said as I rubbed my still hot cheek.
“Your ability to get past her defenses means that you share a soulbond, though I don’t think she is aware of it yet, or if she is she is resisting it.”
“What is a soulbond?”
“It is the reason you received a slap and not a sword through your midsection,” said Mariko as Lady Ono joined us.
When Lady Ono entered, she brought a sense of harmony and peace to the room.
Her steps were measured and unhurried. She smiled when she saw us. Behind her were two Mikai: one carried a tray with inks and various small cutting tools that reminded me of X-Acto knives. The other tray held an electric razor and various shaving implements. Meja entered silently behind the Mikai, her eyes fixed on me.
“Mother will be writing the glyphs for the ritual,” said Mariko. “The clan meeting will begin soon and I must attend. I will leave you in her capable hands and we will begin the ritual once she is done.”
Mariko bowed to Ono and then to me before leaving. Ono had the Mikai behind her set the trays down and then leave.
“Everyone except her will leave now,” she said pointing at Meja. “The rest of you may return to your duties.”
The Mikai that came in with us bowed to Ono and filed out. The room cleared out until it was just the three of us.
Ono began to prepare her inks and knives as she spoke.
“Outside this house stand a thousand Mikai ready to lay down their lives for me and my family,” she began. “We will not worry about outside threats.”
“What threats will we worry about?” asked Meja. “We are the only ones in here.”
“True but we are not the only ones who will be where we are going,” she said. “Once I begin, I cannot be interrupted. This process will take several hours. In that time you will stand at the ready.”
“I will,” said Meja.
“Do not waver no matter what you see,” said Ono. “Use your weapon to see the truth in all things.”
Meja looked at Ono with an expression of mild surprise. “Understood,” she said as she focused and manifested her blade. It looked different from the blade I saw her use in the past. Rapier-thin, its blue light filled the room with a soft glow.
“As for you, we will begin by adding glyphs of protection to your five centers,” she said as she grabbed the electric razor. “Starting at the top of your head. Please take off your shirt.”
Several minutes later, I was bald and Ono was poised with a knife above my head. “Once the five glyphs are in place we will shift planes, guardian,” said Ono. “There I will begin the ritual etching.”
Meja remained silent with her jaw set. In that moment, I realized as she stood there, sword in hand, protecting us that she was indeed my guardian, fierce and fearsome.
Ono touched me on the forehead and brought my attention back to her. “Stay here,” she said. “This will cause some pain. A concept I am certain you are familiar with by now.”
She said some words under her breath and dipped the knife in the ink. The knife and the ink began to glow a deep orange. For a moment, I heard sizzling and then the smell of cooked meat reached my nostrils. When I looked, I saw the smoke rising from her hand. The knife she held was burning her.
“Pain is a concept I am familiar with also,” she said with a forced smile. “Today we share this pain so that tomorrow we can share joy.”
She brought the knife to the top of my freshly shaven head and began to trace a glyph. The tears flowed freely as the pain lanced the top of my head. I swore that I would see my skin melting off my skull in the next few seconds.
“You must stay present, warrior,” she said. “Feel the pain and then close it off. You have had this training, yes?” Sh
e held my head steady as she spoke. Her grip felt like a vise around my temples, crushing my skull.
“Yes,” I said. I understood the concept of compartmentalization. If I took the pain and just placed it elsewhere, I could continue to function without the pain stopping me. It’s a simple concept, in theory; in practice, it’s almost impossible.
“Good, the first one is the easy one,” she said, dipping the knife again. “The actual glyphs of the ritual will be like bathing in liquid fire.”
“Something to look forward to,” I said through clenched teeth.
“A little pain is good for tempering the spirit,” she said.
Behind her, I thought I caught the hint of a smile on Meja’s face.
I think she’s actually enjoying this.
I lost all concept of time. Each glyph was worse than the previous one. From the top of my head, she went to the center of my forehead. After that, it was the center of my throat and then my solar plexus region. By the time she started on my abdomen I thought I would burst into flame and disintegrate into a pile of ash. A thin sheen of sweat covered her forehead, but other than that, I could see no evidence of discomfort on her features. Even the red-hot knife had cooled to a dull glow. I could feel the heat come off it in waves but she never switched hands or gave any indication that it bothered her.
The glyph on my abdomen proved to be the most intense. As she traced the symbol on my midsection, for a brief moment— a second or two—I considered getting up and running. At this point, I had to lie down on a small bed brought in by some of the Mikai. I think she sensed my intention because she placed her free hand on my chest and whispered some words in a language I couldn’t understand, which calmed me and strengthened my resolve.
She finished the fifth glyph, but I couldn’t tell you how long the process took. She turned to Meja, who in all that time had not moved, which led me to believe it couldn’t have been that long.
They exchanged a brief look and both nodded. Ono traced glyphs in the air with her free hand and the world shifted under and around us.
Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy Page 66
