by Mark Swaine
“Do you think the Darkness, the Samurai and this machine are somehow connected?” asks Liu Chan staring at the daunting unfamiliar machine.
“The undead dragons flocked toward it during the attack, something of great importance resides within. One thing is for certain, Kamui Li’s fate seems bound to the Emperor’s life,” replies Arachie.
“He has barely spoken a word during our training sessions, yet I sense he wishes to share something causing him great distress,” replies Liu Chan.
“Word has reached my ear he has been asking questions at the House of Niú (Horse). He has been behaving oddly since the attack. Perhaps his plight is quite simple, he lost many soldiers during the attack and was berated by the Priests for his efforts. I too was caught off guard by the tactics of the Darkness, and I am now open to all possibilities of how it will attack us next,” says Arachie.
“The attack was not a total loss, the Emperor's green wave of magic cured many of the Undead Samurai and Onna-Bugeisha,” replies Liu Chan.
“I need not more women playing with swords,” replies Arachie. “Make-believe warriors,” sniffs the General whilst knocking back another shot.
“I too was present in the stadium during the attack,” says Liu Chan laughing. “I witnessed no make-believe warriors: each one of them stood their ground and slay just as well as the Samurai and the Jade...”
“Tch tch tch,” says the General, urging him not to finish, “a women's place is not on the battlefield my dear nephew, ‘tis in the garden,”
“Not even the Emperor is that old-fashioned, and he is over two hundred years old,” says Liu Chan laughing.
“Not only does Yu-Huang believe all mortals are equal, but his mother was a prophet and a child of light. She was very different, no man was ever able to defeat her Wushu, or so the legend goes,” says the General doubtfully.
“With the Japanese warriors at our side, when the forces of darkness return, we will be better prepared,” says Liu Chan optimistically.
“So will the enemy. A wise enemy never repeats the same method of attack. I believe the Emperor is making preparations in anticipation of a second attack, but we can no longer rely on his sixth sense to anticipate when that will be,” says Arachie.
“I shall speak to Kamui Li upon sunrise. Using his extensive knowledge of the Darkness perhaps we can devise a new strategy,” says Liu Chan.
“By all means, but he has been summoned by the Black Dragon and is not expected to return until dusk tomorrow,” replies the General.
“I am proud you have mastered the art of Dragon Foot, ‘tis unfortunate so many within the ranks are incapable,” says Liu Chan disappointedly.
“They are failing for the same reason I was first unable. These men are soldiers, militant minded of sword and fist, not sorcerers or necromancers. The eighteen arms of Wushu are, and always will be, our first line of attack and defence,” says Arachie.
“But without Wushu the eighteen techniques would not exist,” says Liu Chan.
“Precisely,” replies the General suggestively,
“We must create a new style of Wushu?” asks Liu Chan nodding in realisation.
“Liu Chan, the Emperor promoted you to Captain; I am promoting you to Colonel. Together, with this new strategy we will train the Jade army until they have perfected the art of Dragon Foot,” says the General, removing a red sash from his tunic.
“Colonel, so soon?” says Liu Chan surprised.
“Put it on, you have earned it. Your teachings of the Dragon Foot technique have greatly advanced my own knowledge of Wushu, a feat I never considered possible,” says the General.
Liu Chan smiles as he revels in his Uncle’s respect and confidence, and a million techniques flow through his mind as he anticipates the new training regime.
“At first light, ready the soldiers in the courtyard. We shall train day and night, rain or shine,” says Arachie.
“What of the Samurai?” asks Liu Chan.
“The Samurai too,” replies the General.
“And the Onna-Bugiesha?” asks Liu Chan.
“No, they will hinder our progress,” says Arachie.
“Will you not at least allow them the opportunity to prove their worth? As acting Colonel I believe...” asks Liu Chan.
“... Fine, hail the wenches too. Position them at the back of the formation and if they are able to match our pace they may remain... who knows, maybe they will learn something,” says the General, exasperated after a long speechless pause.
“Fortune smiles upon us both this night,” says Liu Chan pleased with his decision.
“Your teachings will bring great fortune to the Jade army, Lóng Jiǎo,” replies the General.
“Fortune,” ponders Liu Chan. “Fu (Fortune) Fighters,” muses Liu Chan whilst imagining an army greater than any other. “Uncle, we can win this war, can we not?” he asks hopefully.
“We can, and we will,” affirms the General with a staid expression.
CHAPTER THIRTY
In the dungeon keep of the Liumang prison, Kamui Li and the Black Dragon engage one another in a heated debate.
“You cannot win this war; get this into your head!” bellows the Black Dragon.
“We will fight, we will kill, and in the end you will bear witness to the mortals reigning victorious!” shouts Kamui Li. “Emperor Kazuko's reason for sending me here is to fight this war to ensure the continued reign of the Yù Xīng Dynasty and destroy the darkness once and for all,”
“There are many reasons why Emperor Kazuko sent you here Master Samurai,” says the dragon.
“What other reasons do you speak of dragon?” asks Kamui Li curiously.
“Listen to me very carefully Samurai...” says the dragon disregarding his loose tongue, “...for you are testing what little patience I possess. This evil cannot be destroyed. It lives, and grows inside the souls of mortal men. It feeds on greed, hate, wrath, murderous thoughts and deeds. In time, it will grow much stronger, and will do so because of Emperor Yu-Huang. This force is like no other the Emperor has, or will ever encounter, and it will spread through the ages... it cannot be destroyed, only imprisoned. This deity of Darkness must be imprisoned,” says the dragon.
“Where? What prison can mortal hands build to contain this beast?” asks Kamui Li.
“None built by the hands of mortals,” sighs the dragon.
“What of Diyu, the essence of this dark beast hails from Diyu yes? How do we dispel this beast back to the realms of Diyu, for I know not of any such method? I know of no spell or incantation, even with my immortal energy it would be impossible to harness enough magical energy strong enough to ensnare this deity,” says Kamui Li angrily.
“Diyu has had its chance! A new cage is required in order to contain the darkness, a cage that could be powered by the Darkness itself to benefit mankind until the end of life on Earth, but you must aquire the twin blades,” stresses the Black Dragon.
“Emperor Yu-Huang is not able to obtain the blades as yet,” says Kamui Li tiredly.
“He was never intended to, we merely required him to locate them. The task of claiming the blades is set for you and you alone. ‘Tis my understanding you are to be tutored under Chung Denshi's mentorship in the Tower of Guang, this will present you with the perfect opportunity,” says the Black Dragon.
“Why did you not tell Yu-Huang I am to claim the blades?” asks Kamui Li.
“It is too soon,” says the Black Dragon.
“Dragon, if what you say is true, gaining possession of the twin blades in the company of Chung Denshi poses a great risk. You possess the sight; tell me, has Minister Denshi fallen foul of the darkness?” asks Kamui Li.
“Kamui Li, at some point in their lives, every mortal in this realm will fall foul to this Darkness. Should you fail in your task, every mortal in this realm, good or bad, will wake up in the damned realm of Diyu upon their vessels demise,” warns the Black Dragon.
“You say we cannot win this war,” says Kamu
i Li dispiritedly.
“The scale of this war will rip this realm to pieces,” says the dragon tiredly.
“But Emperor Yu-Huang is the healer of lands he will be able to...”
“He will be the cause of all destruction! He and the Darkness! The war must be moved to a distant battleground, one capable of withstanding the might of the Demi-gods,” urges the dragon.
“What distant battleground do you speak of?” asks Kamui Li.
“A realm across time and space, a realm so vast, so strong, it’s as though it was built for giants, and one day you must go there. All warriors of worth must venture to the distant realm of Purgatoria, or embrace the end. There will be no tales, no legends, no glory, nothing to suggest the Yù Xīng Dynasty ever existed, but you will be hailed as its saviour,” says the dragon.
“But that will the mean the end of Samurai's legacy. All evidence of our very existence will be lost and scattered to the wind,” replies Kamui Li.
“No, the Samurai will rise once again in a different age; I have seen it with my own eyes. Your legacy will continue anew a long time from now,” says the dragon.
“If we are as doomed as you say, why do you wish to fight so?” asks Kamui Li.
“One last battle,” snarls the Black Dragon. “Now go, and return only to inform me of your success in obtaining the swords,” says the dragon, closing his eyes.
“You are the all-seeing dragon., I am not a fool; you know more than what you are telling me,” says Kamui Li.
“Leave me in peace,” growls the Black Dragon.
“An air of mysticism surrounds talk of the Black Dragon, maybe you know of the future, maybe you know more than you reveal... but ultimately I believe you a fraud. I will win this war for the people of China, and my revenge against the Darkness will be swift...”
“Exit my chamber now before I do something you'll regre...”
“And I will rescue the Emperor from his enemies, remain here and await your wings you fucking coward,” says Kamui Li furiously.
The Black Dragon stares down the defiant and disrespectful Samurai then without warning extends its neck forward with its mouth open wide. The dragon's lips recede and reveal its shiny grey gums with each tooth standing curved and true, and a long bout of streaming flame engulfs the Samurai where he stands. Kamui Li shuts his eyes and groans, unwilling to scream for the dragon, but his body shakes violently as the flames climb his body, and he breathes in great pained gasps as the air is too hot to breathe.
The dragon's ears point back and he snarls furiously at the Samurai aflame, then his temper passes and he snorts a bout of steam on the Samurai to extinguish the flames.
Kamui Li's skeletal face looks down at his bony hands as flesh appears to be pulled from the very air around him. Little does Kamui Li know, the regenerating process is excruciatingly painful, and as the skin grafts back on to his body his teeth clench together as he wails in pain. As his semi-naked body drops to its hands, as if by magic his armour is replaced by waves of tiny layered explosions. Kamui Li stands back to his feet, growling with hatred as he walks forward whilst reaching for his Katana.
“Tch, tch tch,” says the dragon warningly and stopping the Samurai in his tracks, “do not ever dare brand me a coward again young one. Didn't your parents teach you any respect?” asks the dragon sternly.
“My parents are in Diyu, and when I join them I will slit both of their throats,” sneers Kamui Li.
“Hisako-Hisa was right about you. You possess a dark heart. But ultimately, ‘tis your cousin who possesses the will to act, not you,” says the dragon.
“My cousin?” asks Kamui Li.
“Wing Shin,” replies the dragon.
“How do you know of this? Who else knows of this?” asks Kamui Li urgently.
“It matters not, but I am beginning to wonder if Tatsu Kazuko sent the right cousin,” says the dragon.
“To do what?!” shouts Kamui Li.
As the dragon laughs in great bellowing growls, Kamui Li storms from the bowl-roofed chamber and stops.
“Coward,” sneers Kamui Li over his shoulder before leaving and ceasing the dragon's laughter.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
As Jade soldiers are dispatched all over the territories to issue invites to the brave civilians who fought in the attack of the undead, two Jade soldiers feeling pride in their duty enter a tavern. A middle-aged bare-armed man sits at the bar muttering insults to himself with Baiju dripping down his chin. His dirty blood stained cloak and wicker hat stay hung over a staff leaning against the bar, and a customer goes to move it to make room for his stool. The drunken man struggles to raise his head as he looks sidewards with a menacing stare, and the wary man back steps away from him. The drunkard continues muttering to himself and suddenly slams his fist on the bar whilst cursing himself. As the drinks counter splinters in half, the drunken man's current employer bounds toward him.
“I pay you to cease trouble, not cause it. One more outburst and you are out!” shouts the landlord.
“I will pay for a mere piece of Oak,” slurs the drunkard.
“You already owe me for the drinks!” replies the owner.
“Get me another, put it on my tab,” replies the drunkard.
“You have exceeded your limit, as of the last two drinks you are working to pay off your tab,” replies the barman.
“You believe yourself better than me?” slurs the sloshed man intimidatingly.
“I want no quarrel with you. Lay a hand on me and you shall never work in this territory again,” replies the landlord.
“I will find another tavern to safeguard. You believe I am forced to work in this, in this pigsty?” slurs the man leaning across the bar.
“You Jade soldiers, you false warriors, believers in nothing... I would tear you down. You are like dogs, small yapping dogs obeying little commands here and there with no mind. Youuuuuu, you think yourself gods, because you believe you serve a god. Were he truly a god, she would be here now laughing, and those dirty, devious, murdering, raping, bastards in the Liumang prison, they would not be alive to await release. Were I to see this man face to face, I would... I would fuuuugrhuuuuuurhh,” says the man ranting incomprehensibly.
“You would what?” asks the barman with a stupid look.
“You heard my words soldier,” says Zui, taking a deep breath before wiping the drool from his chin.
“I am not a Jade soldier,” replies the barman defensively.
“Do not lie to me you Jade bastard, I will rip your head off with my bare hands. What was I speaking of not a moment ago, we are good friends you and I, I have good friends, but you should not heed their words,” says Zui chuckling with a wagging finger. “What was I speaking of, you are right as usual, I remember now, the Emperor. Were I ever to see this self-righteous Emperor of the world, of... of all the stars and moon and beyond,” says the man breaking into a short bout of laughter, “I will... I will...” continues the man attempting to focus.
“By Raijin get him another drink,” says a customer, throwing the barkeeper a cowrie shell. “Give him another,” shouts another customer, throwing the barkeeper more cowrie shells.
As the barkeeper is pelted with cowrie shells from his regulars, Zui sits in a stupor as the barman lays his share of the cowrie shells in front of him, five to be exact.
“To Mǎkè!” shouts Zui raising his glass.
“The pantless fool who dressed as a woman?!” says a jolly man laughing back on his stool.
Without further ado Zui crushes the cup in his hand and flings a shard toward the red faced man laughing with his table of friends. The man's laughter ceases as the small shard slices through his ear lobe, and as the instantly sober man clutches his bleeding ear, the whole tavern stops laughing, feeling immediately afraid. The barman looks at Zui and backs away stopping short as he knocks into the drinks shelf.
“Try again,” says Zui looking over his shoulder. “To Mǎkè,” says Zui, raising his glass.
&n
bsp; “ToMǎkè, a most noble and courageous man,” says the whole tavern nodding to each other amidst a pattern of raised spilling tankards.
“To Xan Li,” says Zui smiling proudly.
“A most... revered and worthy swordsman,” says a panicking customer.
