by Mark Swaine
General Arachie frowns at the needless assault whilst guiding the Priest backwards by his arm. Kamui Li appears indifferent to the impertinent and odious attack, and simply lowers his head once again. A moment of silence passes before another voice disturbs the tense silence. A more gentle and husky voice, but just as merciless as the last.
“Prove it, prove your loyalty to our honourable and great Emperor,” says the sly voice coming from the entourage of Priests.
The overweight Priest Wei Shi, layered in red and green robes, steps forward. His pock marked cheeks widen to make room for a yellow toothed smile and a pair of greasy fat red lips. As Wei Shi begins his torment of the young Samurai, the General Arachie faces Wei Shi in concerned protest.
“What is your meaning, 'prove it'?” asks General Arachie.
“Sepukku,” says Wei Shi, pompously.
“Do you know what Sepukku is Minister Shi?” asks the General,
“All too well, ‘tis a sacrificial ritual if I am not mistaken,” replies Wei Shi.
“You mean to use their own Bushido code against them, I will not allow it,” replies the General. "Go back to the city, I shall deal with you later,” says the General.
“You forget your place General," says Wei Shi, stepping closer to him with a sideways smirk.
“I forget nothing, Priest,” seethes the General.
“If the great warriors are truly here to serve our great Emperor, let them prove it. I too wish to help them, but we require evidence of their claims, not words, nor promises. I embrace the notion of inviting these foreign warriors into the security of our homeland, if only they would hand over their weapons" says Wei Shi, as if to speak in the Samurai's defence.
“Wei Shi, this is not the way!” growls General Arachie, grabbing the Priest by his flabby arm.
“If only there were a man among us who could vouch for these men. General, can you vouch for these men?" says Wei Shi, observing the General's strong grip upon his sagging limb.
General Arachie releases Wei Shi's arm, and looks piteously at each of the Samurai, and then at Kamui Li. The General remains voiceless, fully aware that his honest answer will cause more harm than good, for he did not trust them enough to vouch for them. The General stares the fat grinning priest in the face and squeezes his fist tight, resisting the urge to knock that disgusting smile of his face. The extremely badly breathed priest continues his line of crafty questioning,
“Are you able to guarantee the safety of our Emperor and his people amongst these Warriors, whom we know nothing about?” asks Wei Shi, methodically.
The General again remains quiet, and isn't intelligent enough to counter Wei Shi's line of questioning, not without the aid of the Samurai. Though clever they are, these Ministers, these cowards could never not understand the level of honour and loyalty that the Samurai dedicate to their country and Emperor. But the General is well aware of the Samurai code, the way of Bushido and how they dedicate their lives to the purpose of protecting their Emperor. General Arachie had no idea that Wei Shi was familiar with the Samurai's Bushido code, and now he knows why Jian-Heng had traded Chung Denshi. The obese Priest stares at the General with a wide playful smile as he continues his tormenting questions,
“...then allow them to prove their loyalty and worth,” says Wei Shi after a prolonged silence.
General Arachie takes a knee before Kamui Li to urgently convey a dire warning and offer much needed counsel.
“Kamui Li, they act on the false charge that you harbour ill will toward us. I cannot over rule the madness they plan to inflict upon you unless you at the very least yield your weapons” says the General urgently.
“We cannot do that General,” replies Kamui Li.
“Kamui Li San,” says Yoshio quietly.
“Speak,” replies Kamui Li quickly.
“Allow me the honour,” requests Yoshio.
“No, silence,” commands Kamui Li, urgently.
Kamui Li's eyes dart back and forth between Yoshio and Wei Shi and he prays of the chance that Yoshio's offer of sacrifice hadn't reached the wax filled ears of the giant robed Priest. Kamui Li's prayers go unanswered as the overweight Priest slowly turns his head to the elderly Samurai.
“Do we have a volunteer?” says Wei Shi, joyously.
Kamui Li clenches his eyes shut in trepidation and despairs for the old man.
“No, ask of me in his stead,” argues Kamui Li, fiercely.
“Tatsu chose you to deliver his message,” replies Master Yoshio.
“Nobody is committing Sepukku in the name of these motherless fiends,” replies Kamui Li, quietly.
“Master Yoshio, seek reason. You are the senior, more experienced among these youths. If you will yield your blades then advise Kamui to fall back to the mountains and await word from the Emperor,” says the General hastily.
“Silence! Allow the old man his honour,” shouts Wei Shi.
“Retreat is not an option General; we seek only to complete our mission. Kamui Li, I ask that you act as my second,” asks Yoshio.
“No, it is not too late,” says Kamui Li.
“It is my time; it has been an honour to serve with you Master Samurai," says Yoshio, in a peaceful tone.
General Arachie prays for Emperor Yu-Huang's timely arrival. He prays hard to make his presence known, for only the Emperor can put a stop to Master Yoshio's needless sacrifice. But the Emperor was listening and watching intently, judging both his cruel Ministers and adamant Samurai. Above the Tower of Guāng Yu-Huang sits cross legged on a cloud no wider than a foot stool. In meditation he sees, hears and feels everything, and had been watching the Samurai since their arrival four seasons ago. He senses the old Samurai, Master Yoshio; his loved ones, his courage, his loyalty, his wishes, his regrets, losses, hopes and dreams and longing for peace. Yu-Huang meditates further on the fate of the old man's life, and whether or not to intervene. General Arachie looks to the Ministers with painstaking anger and hatred, and then turns to the old man in sympathy whilst watching the Seppuku ritual unfold before eyes. Master Yoshio spaces his knees apart and positions himself upright, then removes his upper Kabuto armour and places it in front of him. Master Yoshio opens his white Shitagi robe to reveal his bare wrinkled chest then removes a razor sharp Wakizashi from his Obi. The edge of the blade slides from the scabbard with a metallic shhhhyyyyinnng, and Master Yoshio wraps a portion of the blade in a crisp white cloth. Kamui Li rises and positions himself to the left of Yoshio, and then he unsheathes his Katana with a long smooth shhhhyyyyiiiing! and raises the sharp edge in line with Yoshio's neck.
Master Yoshio suddenly exhales as a soft cool breeze swarms him in a passing cloud of bright yellow chrysanthemum leaves. The zephyr of trailing petals obscures his view of his tormentors as a sequence of cherished memories from the highlights of his life play out before him. Subtle blends of colours merge one happy memory into the next, and a veil of peace washes over his face as all feelings of regret are diminished by that of an unseen force. The old Samurai opens his eyes and smiles, ready to join his family once again. Master Yoshio speaks in his raspy coarse voice before he commits to his decision.
“You honour me with your parting gift merciful Emperor Yu-Huang,” says Yoshio.
Without a further second's hesitance Yoshio grunts as he rushes the blade into his abdomen. His eyes widen and his mouth tightens as he drags the blade to his left. His hands shake as a red drag line opens up to a spillage of dark blood and bulging intestines squeezing out of his quivering belly. His intestines roll out lazily like thick pink ropes as they drop to his groin. Landing in-between his legs, jets of blood squirt in erratic streams of spurts and sputters. As Yoshio desperately contains his rapid breathing, sprays of blood leap onto the feet and robes of the Priests. As Master Yoshio's head finally slumps down, Kamui Li swings his Katana through his neck, creating a perfect cut which leaves a fraction of skin leaving the head attached to the body. General Arachie breathes in angered breaths as he watches spouts of b
lood leaping from the bloody stump of Yoshio's neck, and feels shame for his lack of inaction. Kamui Li stands over Master Yoshio with his mouth drawn down, and remains frozen in his last second stance. Streaks and specks of blood decorate his cheek as he ignores the sound of Yoshio's body slumping to one side. Kamui Li turns to the High Priests, who are clearly impressed by their own power to take life at a simple request.
“Very good,” says Ning Tao, clasping his hands together with self-satisfied glee.
Wei Shi steps closer to Ning Tao and guides him away from General Arachie, and whispers closely into his ear.
“This could work to our advantage, let us see how many more are willing to sacrifice themselves, and when few but remain, we will send out the soldiers to finish of the rest,” conspires Wei Shi.
“A wise and tactful idea Wei Shi, but the Samurai are many, only one more sacrifice do we require. Their leader Kamui Li, without him they will surely be lost without leadership and command,” replies Ning Tao, watchful of the suspicious General.
“Yes, cut of the head, so to speak,” chuckles Wei Shi.
Wei Shi's gaze drifts over to Kamui Li, and the General suddenly realises what the two conniving Priests are plotting.
“Now you,” says Wei Shi, pointing directly at Kamui Li.
Kamui Li accepts the request with a simple nod, not caring to argue having just assisted in a brother's needless death no less than a minute earlier. General Arachie approaches Kamui Li and crouches in front of him.
“I can stop this; I can help you, if only you would cooperate. Tell me of your mission, tell me of what obsession drives you to end your life in the name of an Emperor you hold no allegiance to...you can trust me Kamui Li,” pleads the General.
“Kamui Li, perhaps you should heed the General’s words; without you we can not...” advises Shun-Shiro.
“....in my absence, you know what must be done. Shun-Shiro, I ask that you be my second. Arachie San, ‘tis not you that I distrust, but the birds in the sky, the water in the stream, the rocks on the ground, the wind of morning and night...and the ears of your Ministers. Shun-Shiro will relay the message to your great Emperor Yu-Huang,” says Kamui Li, calmly.
“The Emperor cannot be reached during his time of meditation. I have sent word, but it could be seasons before the Emperor heeds word of your request for counsel. None of you will remain while the Priests request of your lives,” warns the General, begging logic.
“If the heralds of your great Emperor require our lives, we will give them without question, for they command his will,” replies Kamui Li, signalling to Shun-Shiro.
“You are honourable, brave, fearless, and very stupid boy!” says the General, frustratedly.
“Shall we continue?” asks Ning Tao.
“No! The Samurai have proved their loyalty to the Emperor,” growls the General.
“Are you a traitor, General?” enquires Ning Tao.
“This could be construed as an act of treason, General,” concludes Wei Shi, snobbishly.
“The Emperor would never allow such dishonour. Kamui Li, stay your blade!” grunts an enraged Arachie. “You have surpassed your realm of authority, I command you to stop this madness, or on my ancestors you will pay with your lives!” screams General Arachie, reaching for his hook swords.
Alerted to his menacing and defiant tone and entirely believable threat to their lives, Ning Tao screams his feminine voice to the highest of his shrill capacity.
"Guards! Kill the Samurai, and remove the General by any means necessary."
The Jade Soldiers remain in formation, unsettled and torn between remaining neutral in favour of their beloved Master, Sensei and Commander, or to follow the order of their higher power, the Ministry of the Brotherhood, who unfortunately out ranked General Archie's command in this situation. The General clenches both hook sword handles behind his shoulders, removes them from their clasps and forms an attack position.
“Arachie San, now is not the time to fight. Do not stand in the way of our mission,” says Kamui Li, preparing his Wakizashi.
“Stand to your feet boy, arm yourself!” grunts the General.
“Guards!” Ning Tao yells a second ear-splitting time.
The Jade Soldiers glance at each other, searching for an answer in one another’s equally desperately confused expression. They look to their Sensei, General Arachie for confirmation of their current order, hoping their beloved Master will shout a supreme order, but he doesn't. Instead he gives them an affirmative nod of permission to begin their attack; a commanding gesture they cannot ignore. Even though the General knows he’s outnumbered, his soldiers know that he can outmatch any one of them. But even still, he would not be able to hold back an entire army, one hundred maybe, but not hundreds, nor does he wish to assault his own men. To the surprise of the Priests, a single Jade soldier steps out of formation and walks backwards to the General's side with his swords facing the opposition. Liu Chan looks to his side at the stunned and cross General, and even though his odds had greatly improved, the drawbridge was vast in width making it far too easy to flank them. General Arachie appears displeased by the familiar soldier's misconduct, but is not surprised in the least.
“Soldier, what are you doing? Get back into formation! Soldier!” yells Ning Tao.
“Liu Chan, get back into formation or you will be punished for your disobedience,” says the General, displeased.
“What honour is there to be had in slaying soldiers who wish not to fight,” replies Liu Chan.
“Have I taught you nothing regarding the chain of command, boy?! Will this arrogant streak of yours never end?” asks General Arachie, with a painstaking expression.
“Not this day General,” smiles Liu Chan.
“Remember soldier, only Ministers are permitted to use magic,” says the General.
“I am a Priest, a Priest of Cuju,” replies the soldier cockily.
“Do not jest, I wish not to see you serving time in Liumang prison!” shouts the General.
“Traitors!” bellows Wei Shi.
Wei Shi performs a series of thrusts and arm movements, generating a violet spinning fire from the palms of his hands. Liu Chan prepares a stance of attack, ready to counter Wei Shi's attack.
“Liu Chan, you know the penalty for harming a Priest of the Emperor. Liu Chan!” warns General Arachie.
Liu Chan ignores the nagging General and scowls at Wei Shi readying his attack. Wei Shi thrusts his palms forward sending a jagged cone of plasma toward the two men. Liu Chan leaps forward to intercept the attack and executes a flying back kick. The soldier's heel connects with the violent violet force of burning magic and his leg absorbs the fierce energy. The cone of fiery lavender disappears into a yellow flash as it travels in distorted ripples up his leg. Liu Chan channels the force of magic through his leg and into his other and collects it into his foot. With his foot smoking a bright red, Liu Chan continues his aerial assault and executes an overhead kick. A boiling ball of red plasma escapes Liu Chan's foot and rockets toward Wei Shi. The crackling ball of solid fire strikes Wei Shi's chest, knocking him of his feet and into a formation of Jade soldiers. Liu Chan lands from his backward flip onto his feet and presents his swords forward.
“Relax yourself General, ‘tis just a few burns,” assures Liu Chan calmly.
“Kill them, kill them all!” screams Ning Tao.
The Jade soldiers change their stance to a battle formation and advance on the outnumbered men. With Dao swords at the ready, they press forward slowly towards them. Wei Shi groans as he rises to his feet while his entourage of monks pat his singed robed. Exaggerating the extent of his burns Wei Shi grimaces and wails whilst clutching his flabby bare blistered chest. Kamui Li, hoping to stop the battle before it begins quickly removes a Wakizashi and thrusts it toward his heart. Kamui Li feels a sudden breeze and appears stunned as the Wakizashi disappears from his grip. Yu-Huang, robed in green, stands expressionless between the warriors. All standing drop to their knees in r
espect of their rarely seen Emperor. The Emperor nods to General Arachie to command him at ease, and he too lowers to the ground. Liu Chan, too star struck to move, let alone bow in the presence of his great Emperor, is forcibly pulled to the floor by the General's strong grip. The Emperor approaches Master Yoshio's lifeless body and drapes his gown over him. Yu-Huang faces his curious and nervous audience and begins tapping the edge of the robbed Wakizashi against the palm of his hand. Yu-Huang walks by Kamui Li and hands it back to him, and as the Samurai lay eyes upon the Emperor for the first time, they have no idea what to expect. Yu-Huang looks at the High Ministers bowing as low as their heads will reach. Ning Tao and Wei Shi raise their heads briefly in a short bid to analyse the Emperor's reaction to the recent events.
"Rise,” says the Emperor to Kamui Li and General Arachie. “General, allow the Samurai safe passage into the city. They are my guests, see to it they are well cared for," commands the Emperor in a mild mannered tone.
