Legend of the Red Sun Village

by Mark Swaine

  “If you are to serve me, I expect nothing less than the same compassion and mercy that you granted Emperor Kazuko. Do I make myself clear?” says the Emperor, firmly.

  “Yes,” Kamui Li replies, straight-faced and soldier-like.

  “Now, turn your focus and attention to the future, dwell not on the past. What of your beloved?” asks Yu-Huang, politely.

  “She is safe, before the uprising I sent her far away with her family,” says Kamui Li.

  “Emperor Kazuko must have held you in very high esteem considering he allowed you to court his daughter,” says Yu-Huang.

  Kamui Li says nothing, hoping to avoid the subject.

  “By the absence of your voice I can only assume he knew nothing of your courtship with his daughter,” says Yu-Huang.

  “He did not know of our special bond, just as she does not yet know her father died by my hands,” says Kamui Li.

  “But that would not be the exact truth of the matter. You can let this horrific chain of events continue to torture you until the end of your days, or accept that you did everything within your power, and there was nothing more you can have done. If you yourself cannot accept that you acted to the best of your beliefs, how can you possibly expect her to forgive your honourable deed?” says Yu-Huang, in a hospitable and sincere manner.

  Kamui Li smiles in ease as Yu-Huang's tranquil and casual manner makes him feel as though he is conversing with an old friend.

  “You remind me of him, Emperor Kazuko,” says the young Samurai observantly.

  Kamui Li takes the sword and pulls it from the ground, offering the handle to Yu-Huang.

  “In the hollow of this Katana handle contains the message from the honourable Emperor Kazuko,” says Kamui Li.

  Yu-Huang uncaps the base of the Katana handle and removes a tiny, tightly wrapped scroll from the inside, and then extends it to read it to himself…

  Honourable Yu-Huang, my friend

  The time has come for the mortals to face what their own black hearts have created. You must see this with your own eyes if you are to choose wisely.

  Trust the Samurai; believe in Kamui Li, keep him close, but keep his enemy closer.

  The one who wields Shikyo and Yasu must balance the host with the blades...

  Only the Jade Emperor has the power to beat the heart of Darkness, only he.

  The seed is the key, though it will not wake without the mortal soul of the Enlightened One.

  The Bonsai is the way; the Bonsai is the gateway for the Demi-gods.

  The Realm of Chi awaits the Chosen Ones; the answer to the riddle of life has been revealed. You too shall know this in time...

  These events in time must not be recorded. Defend the realm of Chi with your life, the heart of the Darkness must not be allowed to enter the Trail of Light.The Samurai will serve you well.

  Inform Kamui Li he has my blessings to court Sumiko.

  Farewell my friend.

  Emperor Tatsu Kazuko

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “He knew he was going to die,” muses Yu-Huang, contemplating Emperor Kazuko's alterior motives for sending the Samurai to his aid.

  “The seed is the key, though it will not wake without the mortal soul of the Enlightened One,” muses Yu-Huang.

  Resting in a curled up corner of the scroll, Yu-Huang finds the seed in question, and he inspects it closely. It is the seed of a Bonsai tree, but unlike any he had seen before. The tiny white crusty pod was the first of its kind, and he could feel the life inside it bursting for growth. This is no ordinary seed, ‘tis divine in nature and will require much more than water, Earth and Sun. Emperor Yu-Huang ponders further on the message and realises the seed requires his blood and spirit. Yu-Huang places the seed on his tongue and swallows it, sure that it will manifest in a fertile spot of his choice within the earth. Not only will he treasure this precious gift once it has blossomed, but study the mystery of its origins. Yu-Huang ponders further on the message as a fragment garners his interest.

  “Believe in Kamui Li, keep him close, but keep his enemy closer,” wonders Yu-Huang.

  “Tell me, this traitor, Wing Shin, why did he betray the Samurai order?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “He craves nothing but power. Hisako-Hisa bequeathed Wing Shin with demonic powers, and now he barely resembles the boy who was my childhood friend. During the attack he slayed many of his own kin; he is Ronin now, much like me and my brethren,” says Kamui Li.

  “You are not Ronin, not as long as you serve me,” says Yu-Huang. “My feelings tell me there is much more to Hisako-Hisa's betrayal than the Emperor’s refusal to grant her eternal life. Either you are missing a piece of the puzzle, or you have not yet revealed all. Why did she turn against him?” asks Yu-Huang.

  Kamui Li was hoping to avoid this in-depth topic; to him the entire concept of supreme gods is as absurd as the idea of Akio passing his Bushido training. The sky is real, why it changes from blue to black, he couldn't say, nor did he care to guess. Water is the substance that maintains life; he knows this with every shimmering handful he brings to his lips. The ground beneath his feet carrying his weight, stretching into the distance in the form of hills and mountains, this too is real. Magic, magic was as real to him as all the elements combined. But the idea of Gods, Heavens and possible realms of damnations, he had always taken with a pinch of salt, until recently. It was in his dreams the Gods came, with warnings, and a great burden. A burden that would drive the Great Emperor Kazuko to create the perfect means of travel. A portal of sorts, capable of keeping intact the feeblest of mortals, to that of gods. A portal powerful enough to carry life across time and space. A portal fit for a deity.

  “Name these gods that spoke,” says Yu-Huang.

  “The Emperor claimed it was the unified voice of the Three Pure Ones,” replies Kamui Li.

  “Did Emperor Kazuko reveal the nature of this exchange?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “Before he fell sick, he claimed the Three Pure Ones came to him in a dream to grant him with a humble task; to craft a means of entry for that of a 'Demi-God', in return his family would be granted eternal sanctuary and they would grant him everlasting life as a god amongst gods. They told him that his life force would bring strength to the beacon of unified deities upon leaving his physical form, and with them he would find eternal peace. Desperate, with her life span drawing ever nearer to an end, Hisako-Hisa caged his soul inside his body to prevent his passing to his godly form,” says Kamui Li, as serious as his sceptical mind will allow.

  “You are a disbeliever in the divine, in realms and life forms elsewhere, I understand. But if everything Tatsu said is true, then it is you who delivered him to his rightful place amongst the gods, tis an encouraging thought is it not?” says Yu-Huang, confidently.

  “His death could have been avoided; the very people he trusted had turned against him in pursuit of their own dark desires. They were her spies, Emperor Kazuko's own Ministers…”

  Kamui Li places special emphasis on his comment regarding the Ministers, as if the weight of this highlighted information should hold some relevance to Yu-Huang's own situation. The Emperor ignores his insinuation and continues to listen.

  “…the Ministers, informed the Witch of the Samurai's desire to overthrow her. It was then she used the Darkness to manipulate the Emperor's army, and so began the hateful vengeance upon Emperor Kazuko,” says Kamui Li, solemnly.

  “Why did Emperor Kazuko confide so much in this witch; why entrust her with such sacred information?" asks Yu-Huang, absurdly.

  “She was his Spiritual Aide and counsellor for sixty years; he knew not of her malicious intentions when he told her what the gods had asked of him,” protests Kamui Li in Emperor Kazuko's defence.

  “This task was his alone, and he refused her assistance?” assumes Yu-Huang.

  “Yes, she begged of him to include her in this task in the hope to discover the key to immortality. When the dead began rising she hailed the Darkness, knowing what power lay in store. T
he god she awoke is one unheard off by any of the great philosophers. This Darkness is a deity of forgotten ones, for many moons and suns I searched for clues in the highest reaches of the archives, I found... nothing on the unseen evil,” says Kamui Li, irately.

  “I do not understand, you claim the dead rose before she hailed the Darkness?” says Yu-Huang, puzzled

  “Yes, why?” says Kamui Li.

  “Then its presence here was inevitable, 'twas destined,” says Yu-Huang, pondering heavily.

  Yu-Huang shakes his head in disproval whilst recollecting his battles of old. Battles too great for a simple mortal mind to comprehend, battles that need to be fought, battles in which he reigned victorious.

  “Some Gods should never be woken,” says Yu-Huang, observing the earth where his feet stand. “They are forgotten for a reason,” he continues, in severe afterthought whilst grazing the grass with the side of his wicker sandal, revealing a patch of earth “but this one is different,” says Yu-Huang.

  “The exact words of Emperor Kazuko, Master Yu-Huang. Your highness, we must prepare. I fear the Witch’s army draws close with each word we speak; she will not long arrive at the city gates,” warns Kamui Li.

  “Tis a force not designed to conquer my vast and great Empire. Do not forget Samurai, she is nothing more than a host, a deity cares not to overthrow my rule. Its purpose is far greater, far more sinister. Meditate upon this I will,” muses Emperor Yu-Huang.

  “Master Yu-Huang, I humbly begged an audience with your highness many times with your Ministers. Seen I have, the Witch summon demons, control the undead, conspire with malevolent spirits and disfigure animals into raging beasts. I must assume Hisako-Hisa plans a similar fate here. Were I permitted to convey this message to you sooner, the urgency of this news would have allowed me to take the proper precautions to ensure your safety... we have wasted too much time. I will not see the Huanghua Empire share the same terrible fate as the Great Islands of Japan,” states Kamui Li, impatiently.

  “TheWitch and her apprentice will not attack until she has gathered her forces. Hisako-Hisa is devious. She will not attack head on like that of a savage tyrant. She will bide her time, and time is exactly what we need to prepare. As for your request of an audience, I am well aware of your request for a gathering. I was granting you and your men time and peace to settle,” says Yu-Huang.,

  “Time for what?” asks Kamui Li.

  “Time to confront your own demons of course,” says Yu-Huang respectfully.

  “With respect, I fear you underestimate the Darkness by adjourning these vital matters. Simply because you understand your opponent, do not presume the Witch will bow her head to the twin blades of the Ichidai dragon,” says Kamui Li, stubbornly.

  “I presume nothing, my rule of the Huanghua Empire is just, is it not?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “Infallible, my Master,” replies Kamui Li, without a second's hesitance.

  “Your men, they trust you?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “Yes,” replies Kamui Li, unsure.

  “Would it surprise you to learn that I mourned Master Yoshio's passing? For the conditions surrounding his death, I mourned his passing,” says Yu-Huang, earnestly.

  “As did I, as did my men,” replies the Samurai, resenting this topic.

  “I witnessed the events of your arrival unfolding in plain sight. Why do you think it came to pass that I allowed Master Yoshio's sacrifice?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “Your highness required proof of the Samurai code, and so it was that Brother Yoshio claimed my stead of sacrifice in your honour,” replies Kamui Li, bluntly.

  “Did it make you angry that I intervened in your offering, yet allowed Yoshio to die?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “No, your highness,” asserts Kamui Li, failing in his understated lie.

  Emperor Yu-Huang closes his eyes momentarily; and a heavy sigh follows.

  “How am I to trust you if you will not be honest with me? Speak freely Master Samu-”

  “I am furious your highness!” states the finally honest Samurai standing up to the Emperor and for his men. “Master Yoshio was the Sensei of many Samurai under my command. He fought bravely and saved many civilian lives. He sacrificed everything in the name of his mission and duty! He journeyed long and hard over oceans and mountains on a mission to serve and protect you, only to have his life claimed by two preening sons of whores marking their authority! That should not have happened! You, and you alone may request the lives of me and my men at that of a simple request, but frown I do upon the Ministers acting on your behalf. We are not obliged to lay down our lives for them!” snarls Kamui Li.

  The Emperor takes the grilling, and nods slightly to acknowledge the Samurai's Bushido code of honour, and brutal honesty.

  “I allowed Master Yoshio's sacrifice for he feared more than anything, an old man's death without his loved ones by his side,” explains Yu-Huang.

  “Should Master Yoshio have passed on in such a manner, he would have his brothers at his side; instead he was subjected to a dishonourable death at the hands of your merciless power hungry servants!” says Kamui Li, unable to calm himself.

  “By my intervention, he died peacefully. Ultimately, regardless of what you witnessed, Master Yoshio died a warrior’s death, that was his wish. Ask yourself what is more important to you, what you desire, or those you hold in such high regard. ‘Tis not in your power to decide the fate of all, if you hold your men's honour in such high esteem, then you must accept their fate as if your own. You cannot decide their fate, only their actions. These are such qualities a true leader possesses,” lectures Yu-Huang.

  Kamui Li hadn't considered the concepts of leadership from this perspective before; and he felt a small sting in his pride as he could not doubt the Emperors reasoning regarding the fate of Master Yoshio.

  “Does the anger in your heart linger still, do my words not ease the burden of Master Yoshio's passing. I know you have not forgiven Ministers Tao and Shi, but if you try, you be able to forgive his passing?” asks Yu-Huang.

  The Samurai's cheekbones clench as he grudgingly ponders on the heavy burden that has dwelled in his heart since he acted in his brother’s sacrifice.

  “In time, perhaps I will, but befriend them I will not, not under any circumstances,” states Kamui Li.

  “The Samurai will make a fine addition to the city,” says Yu-Huang, proudly, “once we have dealt with the hag and her pupil, together we will reclaim the greatness of Japan and return the throne to its rightful heir. Until then, we will begin making the necessary arrangements. Upon first light you will march your men to the Citadel gates where you will await General Arachie, there he will begin training your men in the art of Wushu,” says Yu-Huang.

  “You mean for us to learn your sacred arts?” asks Kamui Li, taken aback.

  “Yes, and I mean for my Jade army to learn your sacred art of Kendo, will you train them?” says Yu-Huang.

  “Yes,” replies Kamui Li.

  “Then I charge you with training General Arachie the way ofKendo, as to pass this beautiful art onto my soldiers. This arrangement will greatly increase the potential of my Jade army and your Samurai. Are there any further matters you wish to discuss before the stars fade and the sun arise?” asks Yu-Huang.

  “Yes. These Ministers of yours, do you trust them absolutely?” asks Kamui Li.

  “I not need trust the Brotherhood of High Priest Ministers, ‘tis their purpose I value, not their yearning for my favour, nor their silver tongued flattery and praise,” says Yu-Huang.

  “Master, these men share the same desires of the men that ultimately betrayed Emperor Kazuko; I sense your Priests lust for power, pride and lack of will,” says Kamui Li.

  “What of the imperfections I sense in the young Samurai stood before me, ignorance, impatience, self-righteousness and a severe lack of discipline? Heed my words closely young one, you dishonour my rule with implications of the Brotherhood seeking to conspire with the Darkness, yet you showed mercy for High Minis
ter Wei's pleadings of forgiveness as he grovelled at your feet,” states Yu-Huang, claiming hypocrisy. “Your accusations are fraudulent, unfounded and shameful,” continues Kamui Li.

  “I granted Minister Wei Shi mercy as I assumed this was your bidding. Simply because I forgave him that does not mean that I trust, or respect him, any of them,” says Kamui Li.

  “I fear paranoid delusions in your theories and duty to my safety Kamui Li. The Ministers create a well needed system of balance. Evil they are not; they are men of faith in the divine. They pray daily for the coming of my descendant, they prey hard. Evil men pray not for such honour, and to dedicate their lives for such a thing that may never occur in their lifetime is noble, and gracious. To dishonour their tradition breaks the heart and troubles the mind. The Ministers often act on my behalf. It has always been this way, from the beginning of the age of my ascension to the throne, and you presume to challenge these ways of tradition,” says the Emperor, crossly.