The Awakening

by Andrew Wichland

  “Cheat that” Ryuu mocked, standing over him.

  Ryuu look at his teacher, who now had a massive bump on his forehead and a bloody, broken nose. He then picked up his bow and started to leave. Stopping in mid-step, he looked back at his teacher. Quickly making up his mind, he returned to his teacher’s side and drew one of his kunai knives.

  He used it to cut a section from his teacher’s clothes. He folded up the cloth, dabbed the blood from the man’s nose, then took some herbs from a secret pocket. He crushed the juices out of them, poured them onto the cloth, and placed it on his teacher’s forehead before silently leaving the room through the sliding door on the opposite wall.

  Ryuu looked down the hall and smiled when he saw the night sky light the opening at the end of it. Then he heard a loud grinding sound. He darted forward as fast as he could as the walls began closing in on him. He knew that if he didn’t make it out in time, he would be crushed like a grape between two fingers. He felt his heart beating under his ribs as he ran flat out. The walls continued to get closer and closer, threatening to turn him into a pancake.

  His muscles burned from the constant usage, and he could almost hear them screaming at him to stop. He silently gave himself a pep talk.

  Come on Alec-Ryuu Jun Yamamoto. You’re almost through this! You can rest all you want when this is over, but right now, you’ve got to run or be killed!

  The gap became smaller and smaller, but somehow he went faster.

  When he was barely a few yards from the exit, with his pumping elbows scraping the walls, he leapt forward, spinning hands and arms outstretched. His fingertips were clear . . . his elbows were clear . . . the walls were inches from his face . . . his head was clear . . . his chest and stomach were clear . . . he felt the walls barely scraping his knees. The walls slammed home just as the tips of his toes cleared, he was out, and he rolled onto his back, completely out of breath.

  He lay there for a moment, looking up at the night sky. Then, uncontrollably, he started to laugh. He could not control his laughter even as he heard running footsteps coming his way. He was still laughing when several masked faces appeared in his vision, peering down at him.

  “What’s up with him?” Allison said.

  “He seems to be showing a loss of motor control,” Eric answered.

  “What?” Bryan said.

  “He’s lost it.”

  “No he’s just . . . giddy,” Aiolos said.

  “Hey, Aiolos.” Ryuu reached up and grabbed Aiolos’s arm, still laughing.

  “What?”

  “Have you ever seen such a beautiful night?” His laughing increased.

  Aiolos looked at Eric and said, “No, you’re right on the button, Eric. He’s definitely lost it.”

  This only made Ryuu laugh even louder.

  Chapter 7

  The Dragon Knights

  Ryuu was still laughing when they helped him sit up, and he saw his father examining the wall that he’d just run out of. When Ryuu was finally able to calm himself down, he stood and his father came over. Jun glanced at Ryuu for a second, then back at the wall, then at Ryuu again.

  Jun then jabbed a thumb back at the wall. “Did you just come from there?” he demanded.

  Ryuu nodded, and his father took a couple steps back in shocked surprise.

  “Alec-Ryuu Jun Yamamoto, what possessed you to go that way?” he snapped. “That was the course I took when I was tested for the position of grandmaster!”

  Everyone stared as he continued. “And for that matter, who the heck left it open? It was supposed to be closed for the testers tonight!”

  Ryuu shrugged and removed his mask. “I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. I was going to go for the opening in the middle when a solid stone wall stopped me. It almost crushed me, too.”

  “Damn,” Aiolos muttered. “First it was that flash bang, and now this.”

  “FLASH BANG!” his father barked, whipping around, and Ryuu shot Aiolos a hard look. “Would one of you tell me exactly what is going on tonight?”

  During the next five minutes, Ryuu explained everything that had happened. When he was finished, his father just stared at him.

  “Incredible. That’s never happened before. And I never imagined that Shuji would go to such lengths!”

  Then he asked to see the data strip that Ryuu had taken from the Combat Bot.

  Ryuu bent his right wrist back, and with two fingers from his left hand, he pulled the strip from under his gauntlet. His father took the strip and then bowed to him. Alec returned the gesture and then his father walked way, the strip clenched in his fist.

  After Jun left the area, Ryuu’s friends put their hands on his shoulders and back. They each congratulated him on getting through the course in one piece.

  “Man, I can see why that’s only for Grandmaster Status testing,” Erik said. “No safety features, no chance of stealth entry, and you always have to be on the move, with an outcome of pass or die.”

  Ryuu nodded. “You don’t have to tell me. What’d you guys do?”

  Allison glanced at him as they walked in the same direction his father had taken. “We took the middle passage. It was pretty much a snatch-and grab-mission, whereas yours sounds more like an assassination,” she said.

  Ryuu nodded. “Yeah, and the only way to get in and out was being a one-man army and a tight squeeze.”

  Ryuu slipped his mask back on as the rest of the class came into view. They were lined up in two rows. All of the teams were sitting back on their heels, facing a low stage that was about ten feet from the first row of students. Across the opening, banners with Japanese lettering hung from the pillars.

  They stepped inside the walled courtyard, and Ryuu’s eyes traveled over the brightly colored banners that had been put up for the graduation ceremony.

  They made their way to the front of the group, sat on their knees, and waited. After a couple of minutes, they heard the teachers walk down the lane and onto the stage. Once on the stage the teachers began to assemble in a line in front of their students, and Ryuu noticed that one had an ice pack strapped to his head and a bandage around his nose. He averted his gaze.

  He’ll be feeling that in the morning, he thought, as he heard Aiolos give a small cough. He looked at his friend and shook his head slightly. He didn’t want to aggravate the tense situation any further.

  When all the teachers were assembled, there was a puff of smoke, and when it cleared, Ryuu’s father stood before them in his grandmaster kimono. Jun briefly glanced at the teacher with the ice pack, but then returned his gaze to his students, and he smiled and spread his arms wide.

  “Congratulations, all, on a job well done in tonight’s final examination. Well done, well done indeed,” he said.

  When Jun lifted one of his arms, revealing an oriental box, Ryuu sucked in his breath. Beside him, he heard his teammates do the same. He watched as his father opened the lid, exposing small black-and-white medallions that bore the clan and school crest.

  When the lid was completely open, Ryuu’s father faced his students again.

  “When I call your name, come forward and receive your master status. Allison Cromnae!”

  Allison jumped to her feet, walked onto the stage, and smiled at Ryuu’s father. Jun picked up a medallion and held it in front of her.

  “Allison Cromnae, from this moment forward until forever, you shall be known as Red Bear because you’re strong, fierce, and unstoppable until you achieve your goal.” She bowed forward, and Jun slipped the medallion around her neck.

  She bowed to him again and retook her seat.

  “Erik Cromnae,” the grandmaster said, and he picked up another medallion.

  “Erik Cromnae, quick witted, cunning, strong, and yet with a kind heart. You shall be known as Silver Ape,” he said.

  Erik bowed, and Jun smiled. Then he slipped the medallion around Erik’s neck. After another bow, Erik retook his position.

  “Bryan Hunson,” Jun called, and Br
yan moved forward. The grandmaster picked up another medallion.

  “A team player, a will of iron, loyal to a fault to your friends, to your family, to your cause, and to yourself. You shall be known as Iron Wolf,” Ryuu’s father said.

  After more bowing, Bryan moved back to his friends.

  “Aiolos Hudson.” Aiolos quickly moved to the stage. Ryuu’s father picked up another medallion and faced him.

  “Quick witted, fast, reckless at times, boisterous, humorous, but with a will as free as the wind itself. You shall be known as White Flacon.”

  Ryuu’s legs felt like lead as he anticipated his turn. Then his father looked in his direction and called out, “Dulglad Iga.”

  Ryuu frowned as Dulglad stepped forward, got his name and medallion, and retook his seat. One by one the other students went forward and received their names and medallions. After the last one walked back to retake his seat, Ryuu saw that there were no more medallions left for him.

  He lowered his gaze. I failed, he thought. He seemed to feel Dulglad’s nasty smile burning an imprint into his back, and a couple teachers chuckled.

  Then Jun continued. “There is one student here whose name I didn’t call yet. He tonight was forced into a test that called upon skills above and beyond the requirements of his graduation. He faced great peril that if he failed, which would have meant the loss of his own life. He has prospered in combat, evasion, gathering information, and cunning. He finished his mission, setting a new record for the course, and at the end he even helped his fallen foe.

  “He is to be honored tonight for his impeccable bravery in the face of mortal danger and the unknown. So it’s my great pleasure to call my son, Alec-Ryuu Jun Yamamoto,” he said.

  Ryuu looked up at his father and felt all eyes turn on him. After a moment, Allison gave him a small push, and he climbed to his feet. He walked onto the stage and stood before his father. His eyes darted to the teachers for a split second. Some looked unhappy, while others refused to meet his gaze.

  His father smiled at him. Then, from his own neck, he unclasped his medallion and held it in his hands. “Alec-Ryuu Yamamoto, brave as a tiger, wise, cunning, kind at heart, righteous, comrade, a will of fire with a temper to match, and loyal to all who stand by you. You shall be known as Dragon’s Fire, and it’s my honor to make you, this day, Grandmaster,” he said. He clasped the medallion around his son’s neck.

  Overcome with joy, Ryuu struggled to maintain his composure as he bowed to his father, who bowed back. Then he returned to his seat. He could barely contain his enthusiasm as his father addressed the assembled students.

  “Again, well done to you all. It’s been my deepest honor to have known and taught you. Whatever journey awaits you beyond the walls of this school, always remember the family that was forged here. And now, go forth, my brothers and sisters, and whatever path you choose, may you face it with your hearts open and your heads held high!”

  As one, the students leapt to their feet, cheering.

  Immediately, Ryuu was bombarded by his friends, who nearly tackled him to the ground.

  “GRANDMASTER RYUU! HA! HA!” Bryan called out, shoving Ryuu’s fist into the air.

  “Positively spectacular!” Eric shouted, slapping Ryuu on the back.

  “Everyone make way for Grandmaster Dragon’s Fire!” declared Aiolos in a loud, formal voice.

  Ryuu looked at everyone as he slipped off his mask. “Come on, guys, I’m not the only one who graduated tonight,” he said, but inside, he wanted to jump for joy.

  “Yeah, but none of us graduated as a grandmaster! Now, what are you made of? Make some noise!” Allison took his shoulders and shook him.

  Ryuu finally gave in to his desires and jumped up and down, rejoicing as loudly as he could.

  After almost an hour of celebrating, the students began to file out of the school and make their way home.

  “I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could eat a rhino,” Eric said, as the group came out of the woods and Ryuu looked out at the rising sun.

  “Come on; my house is closest,” Ryuu said, leading the way.

  The house was dark and quiet as they entered the kitchen. They moved silently, not wanting to wake his mother, and paused at the fridge. Before he could press the door release button to open the fridge, he paused. On the front of the unit, a light flashed. When Ryuu pressed it, a holographic note appeared.

  Alec-Ryuu,

  Went next door to help a neighbor. Be back soon. Pizza in the fridge.

  Mom

  PS: Your father called and told me. I’m so proud of you.

  “At least we get the place to ourselves,” Aiolos said.

  Ryuu looked at him. “Well, don’t get any ideas. Your last one got me grounded for a month.”

  Despite his recent victory, he was still disappointed that no one had remembered his birthday. "I guess we’ve got pizza for my birthday,” he said gloomily. Then he pressed the release button, and the fridge door slid into itself.

  As he took out the pizza, he heard his friends moan and groan behind him.

  “Darn,” Allison said. “That’s today?”

  “Not you guys, too!” he groaned, turning back to them.

  “Oh, come on, Alec, give us a break,” Bryan said regretfully running his hand down his face. “The finals drove it out of our minds,” he finished and Ryuu looked over at him.

  Not trusting himself to speak, Ryuu took a bite of cold pizza and turned to walk into the living room, sliding back the door. As he reached for the light button on the wall beside the door, the lights flicked themselves on.

  At once, a strong sense of flight or fight bombarded Ryuu as he was instantly blinded and deafened by a variety of sights and sounds.

  “SURPRISE!” the small crowd shouted.

  Ryuu blinked at them, pizza dangling from his mouth.

  An uncontrolled smile spread across his face as he read the signs on the walls. The first said, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Below it, what looked like a hastily scrawled sign added, GRANDMASTER ALEC-RYUU JUN YAMAMATO!

  “Oh, I hate you guys!” he barked. But he was laughing as his parents came over, and they formed a group hug.

  “Happy birthday, my boy,” his father said, slapping his shoulder.

  “I can’t believe you thought we would forget!” his mother said. “And you should have seen the look on your face when the light went on!” She gave him a peck on the cheek.

  He tried not to think about his expression. Instead, he muttered, “Don’t talk to me right now. I hate you!” His parents laughed along with him as friends and neighbors came forward to offer their birthday greetings.

  “Well, don’t give us all the blame,” his father said. “This wasn’t completely our idea.” Out of the corner of his eye, he saw his friends edging toward the back door.

  The crowd parted a little, laughing, as Ryuu took off after his friends. As they barreled outside, he threw himself lengthwise, tackling them, and for a couple of minutes the friends wrestled across the ground, bits of grass and dust swirling in the air from their mock fight. Eventually they ended in a tangled heap. Catching his breath, looked back at the house, where the rest of the party guests were laughing and shaking their heads from the open door.

  Ryuu quickly changed his clothes, and thirty minutes later they were all laughing, eating pizza, chips, and other party snacks, dancing, and playing games. The party lasted well through the day, although some of Ryuu’s friends took quick naps to recover from the night’s events. Through it all, despite his surprise at being successfully tricked, he couldn’t help enjoying the double celebration.

  As the sun began to set and the lights dimmed a little, his mother brought him a birthday cake with lit candles. The guests all sang “Happy Birthday,” and Alec closed his eyes and made the same wish he made every year: to be reunited with his birth mother, wherever she was.

  Smiling, he blew out the candles. The party guests applauded and brought forth gifts as his parents handed ou
t the cake. He opened each present with eager hands and a glint in his eye. He was just admiring a new sky surfer when some of the guests parted to allow one of the oldest members of the community to come forward. Ryuu lowered his head in respect.

  “Mr. Orleaus,” he muttered.

  Mr. Orleaus smiled at him. “Well, happy birthday, Mr. Yamamoto, and congratulations on becoming grandmaster.” He bowed back.

  Then a sneering voice from the doorway added, “Out of sheer dumb luck.”

  Ryuu and the others turned to see Dulglad, who was leaning against a doorframe. He was surrounded by his friends, who all wore the same hard looks on their faces.

  “Oh, is that what your own father said?” Ryuu asked. He heard a couple of his friend’s snicker.

  Dulglad’s face hardened at once. Mr. Orleaus ignored the tension and continued.

  “The gift that I bring to you this special day is not like one you’ve received yet, for it’s a story. A story that’s a part of us, of a time that’s long since been over. A time when we didn’t have to hide on backwater planets. A time when fear didn’t run our lives, and we lived in peace and harmony in the age of technology of Humans, of magic, and of Dragons. The age of the Dragon Knights.”

  A couple people looked at each other muttering.

  “And you would condemn us by telling this story? You stupid old man!” Dulglad snapped. He stalked forward, and Ryuu stepped in his way.

  He and Dulglad stared daggers at each other. Finally, Ryuu broke the silence and said, “It’s my birthday, and a gift to me. I’ll hear it. Anyone who doesn’t want to hear it and prefers to forget our past, when we lived in peace, may leave.”

  Then he added, “Besides, you forget that we’re already condemned. If the Black Dragon’s forces ever find us, we will all be captured and sold as slaves. Or annihilated.”

  He glanced at the people around him. Some were muttering, but no one moved to leave. Ryuu looked back at Dulglad and his friends. “And you?” he asked.

  One by one, Dulglad and his friends stepped back, but they didn’t leave. Ryuu, struggling to keep his breathing calm, finally returned his attention to Mr. Orleaus. Their eyes locked for a moment, and Ryuu motioned for the man to continue.