“Oh really?” asked Elisa.
“Don’t worry, I got it under control.”
“And how is that?” asked Elisa.
The Monkey King looked at her with a smile. “Because I’ve been shedding this entire time.”
“What’s that have to do with—”
Shroud nearly bit his tongue off as he saw just what Sun Wukong meant. Each of the hairs that had fallen from the Monkey King’s body now grew into a separate Monkey King—an identical clone of him. While they weren’t armed with the Ruyi Jingu Bang, they were armed with weapons of their own which somewhat resembled that famed staff.
“What a handsome army!” commented Sun. “If I do say so, myself.”
The soldiers of the sea backed off slightly but the Monkey King just smiled and said, “what are you waiting for, boys? Time to have some fun!”
The Monkey King clones cried out and engaged the shrimp and crab shoulders in an epic battle that raged on the shores of Fusang. For every Monkey King that fell, more rose up from his hairs. The soldiers appeared to have no respite from the endless Monkey Kings that rose up to fight them.
“What are you waiting for? Let’s go,” said the real Sun to Shroud and Elisa. They moved through the battlefield as quickly as they could, fighting off whatever soldiers were able to get past the clones.
Once they passed through the raging battle, they were able to approach the palace walls and move through the gates unmolested. It seemed as if Ao Kuang was so confident in his guardians of the shores that he hadn't bothered to defend his own castle walls. But Elisa had learned long ago that if things seemed too easy, that meant something else was coming along. She kept her swords drawn for the slightest sign of trouble.
They moved through the opulent palace, which was completely vacant of life. The trio of intruders began to wonder if Ao Kuang had fled his home, but eventually their search brought them to the top floor. Here, they saw Ao Kuang, standing on the balcony, looking out at the struggle on his very doorstep. He stood with his back to the intruders, not acknowledging their presence.”
“It’s all over now,” said Elisa. “Your brothers are dead. We’ve contacted the Jade Emperor.”
“No, I don’t think it’s over. Not yet,” said Ao Kuang, and still he did not turn to face them.
The trio heard soft footsteps behind them. Turning, they saw a familiar face blocking the way they had come. The newcomer smiled, her copper eyes flashing.
Elisa nearly exploded into rage, restraining herself. “Asami! What do you think you’re doing?”
“I warned you,” said Asami. “Warned you that you shouldn’t trust him. But you didn’t listen.”
“That's a little different than warning me that you shouldn't be trusted! We’re supposed to be on the same side,” said Elisa.
“No, I brought you into this and you tried to get me to betray a promise I swore!” shouted Asami.
“He can’t be trusted. Kuang wants the Emperor’s power for his own,” said Elisa.
“You betrayed me, siding with that…thing that tried to kill me!”
“We're not siding with him. We're controlling him with the headband...” Asami, however was not listening to Elisa's explanations. She charged towards her former ally, shifting into her fox state with a vicious growl. Elisa braced herself as the Asami pounced on her. The myth hunter didn't fight back against the kitsune. However, she kept Asami’s jaws at bay, her arm braced against Asami’s neck. Asami snapped with ivory fangs but couldn’t connect.
“I don’t want to hurt you!” said Elisa.
Shroud reached for his guns to intervene, but Sun blocked him with his staff. Shroud looked at the Monkey King with both anger and shock. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
“It’s something they gotta work out,” said Sun.
Shroud wondered just how much control they had over Sun Wukong, when Max—the one who had placed the headband on the Monkey King's head, was thousands or—for all he knew—even millions of miles away.
Elisa mustered up her strength and flipped Asami over onto her back. She kept Asami pinned to the ground and reached for a pouch on her belt. Elisa drew out a single pulsating orb and held it up. Once Asami saw its soft glow, she ceased struggling.
“Remember this?” asked Elisa. “Remember how I fought for you? Risked my life so I could save yours? Remember how I dropped everything and flew to Hong Kong when you said you needed my help? Remember how you helped me by saving Max from the Order?”
Asami’s body began to shift, changing back to human form. She still kept her eyes fixed on the orb. Elisa looked at herself and continued her story.
“I knew the risks when I took this. Laohu told me if I did this, it meant our destinies would be forever intertwined. And you know what?”
Asami said nothing, but her eyes indicated that she wanted to hear what Elisa had to say next.
“I didn’t hesitate,” said Elisa. “Not for a single second. I didn’t decide to throw in with Sun because I wanted to betray you. I know what he did to you, but we were on the wrong side. We should have been with him from the start. I sided with Sun because the lives of millions depend on us. And if I wanted to, I have the means to end you here and now. All I have to do is destroy this orb. Sever the connection.”
Elisa placed the orb in Asami’s hand. “But I’m not doing that. Instead, I’m giving it back to you. Relinquishing whatever hold I have on you. And I’m leaving it up to you to do what you know is right.”
She released her hold on the fox-spirit and stood, allowing Asami to rise as well. Asami’s eyes softened, no longer possessing the anger they previously burned with.
“Choice is yours, Asami. Kill me if you want, but I’m not letting Kuang get away with this,” said Elisa.
Asami turned to focus on Ao Kuang. “Consider our arrangement terminated.”
“I expected as much,” said Ao Kuang, who was now facing them. “Unfortunately for you, it’s too late now. Fusang has risen and you are all going to be the first to fall—before the rest of humanity.”
Ao Kuang’s body shifted, transforming into a giant dragon. His scales were a combination of red, black, white and brown. As he grew, he burst through the roof of the palace, rubble rained down, and chunks of stone and tile shattered on the floor. Ao Kuang was far larger than his brothers had been.
“I changed my mind,” said Asami. “Kill me.”
Elisa flashed her a grin. “No way are you getting off light after you literally tried to bite my face off.”
Ao Kuang unleashed an unholy roar, the vibrations of which shook all of Fusang to its foundation. Elisa and her companions had trouble staying on their feet from the tremors.
“He’s got the powers of his brothers, too!” said Sun. “We can’t stop him, not when he’s like this!”
“Well, we have to do something! I’m not standing around and letting him win!” shouted Elisa.
She drew the swords and ran towards Ao Kuang, slashing at his hide. But the blades just scraped against his scales and he laughed at her pathetic attempts. Shroud tried to join in, firing away with twin Berettas but all this incurred was more laughter from Ao Kuang.
Meanwhile the waves outside grew more and more vicious. Storms began raging all around the island. The entire shook in the violent grasp of the Pacific Ocean.
Asami glanced at Sun Wukong, wondering if he was going to take action, then went to join Elisa and Shroud in their, thus far, futile efforts. She transformed into her composite form, striking as much as she could, even mustering what little she possessed of her fire abilities.
Sun Wukong, the Monkey King, watched as they vainly attempted to fight something they had no possible way of defeating. To Ao Kuang, they were just little more than three gnats trying to sting him. All they were was an annoyance.
But still they fought on with determination and bravery. Knowing they would die. Knowing that victory would bring no reward, no power, nothing.
And Sun remem
bered what it felt like to be a hero, to stand for something bigger than yourself. His memories of his last encounter with the Dragon Kings came flooding back. He looked down at his staff. The Ruyi Jingu Bang pulsed with energy in his hands. He could feel its power growing inside.
When he first found this weapon, it was in Ao Kuang’s treasure room. Its power called out to him even then. In Ao Kuang’s greed, he’d forgotten what the staff’s power was capable of. Over the centuries, Sun had forgotten as well. But now it was coming back to him.
He looked with his fiery eyes, seeing the goodness and selflessness of Elisa, Asami and Shroud. He saw the evil within Ao Kuang. And he realized that evil had been present in him as well.
“I know what to do,” he said. “I know what you meant now, Nezha.”
Sun ran to the crumbling balcony and jumped off. He was in free fall going towards the ocean, but didn’t summon a cloud to stop his descent. Instead, his leap carried him over the crystalline hills and he crashed into the waves of the Pacific, the Ruyi Jingu Bang extending to incredible lengths and burrowing through the ocean floor.
The energy released from the staff was nothing short of incredible. Its force tore Sun apart, down to the molecular level. He felt his body being pulled in all directions at once, but he laughed as it happened.
The shockwave of energy washed over Fusang and all across Asia. The waters that engulfed Shanghai receded, and the tectonic plates that had sundered Beijing moved back into place. Sun Wukong, in a last, desperate act, had reversed all the damage caused by Ao Kuang.
On Fusang, Ao Kuang looked on with horror at the reversal of his awful handiwork. He was prepared to take out his rage on his three attackers, but something else happened. A bright flash of green over the horizon signaled the arrival of another being, one far more powerful than Ao Kuang could ever hope to be.
The Jade Emperor appeared over Fusang in a burst of emerald brilliance and cast his eyes down on the Dragon King. Ao Kuang felt himself transfixed by the horrible gaze, frozen with fear. The fear became so great that he remained immobilized in that state, becoming a statue of himself. The Jade Emperor cast his eyes over the three heroes and all they saw was the form of the greatest of all the Dragon Kings, turned into the form of a stone statue amidst of blinding wave of green light that washed over them.
CHAPTER 17
Elisa opened her eyes to see Max staring down at her. “Good morning.”
She sat up, rubbing her head. “Where am I?”
“Asami’s apartment. Guess the Jade Emperor felt it best to send us back here,” said Max.
Elisa looked around. Sure enough, she lay on the couch with Asami, in fox form, lying by her side. Max stood behind the couch. And slumped in a nearby chair was Jason Shroud. They both started to stir awake. When Asami regained consciousness she hopped off the couch and changed into her human form.
“What happened?” asked Elisa.
“The Jade Emperor accepted my plea,” said Max. “Took care of Ao Kuang himself.”
“What about Wukong?” asked Shroud.
“Apparently, the Ruyi Jingu Bang was the key to it all along,” said Max. “It controls the ebb and flow of the tides. The news has been reporting an incredible miracle in Beijing and Shanghai. Still, lots of damage and the deaths haven’t been undone. But the waters have receded and the tectonic plates are where they belong—or at least where they were before the Dragon Kings started meddling with them.”
“I guess that means I need to get back to the Masons,” said Shroud. “I need to ensure we’ve got a story in place.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” asked Elisa.
“You know as well as I do how dangerous it is to let everyone know about what’s really out there,” said Shroud.
He stood and checked to see all his body parts were still in place. Shroud seemed satisfied with his inspection and started toward the door. Elisa chased after him, moving out into the hallway. “Wait,” she said.
“Oh?”
“I just…wanted to apologize. For Rushmore.”
“Forget it,” said Shroud. “Hardly like I went about things the right way.”
“Any chance we’ll get your help in the future?” asked Elisa.
“We’ll see,” said Shroud. “Crab and shrimp soldiers, Dragon Kings, nine-headed birds, fox spirits and the Monkey King. Did I ever thank you for getting me involved with all this?”
“No,” said Elisa. “I think you should rectify that.”
Shroud smiled. “Don’t hold your breath, Ms. Hill.”
He left her standing at the door and Elisa reentered the penthouse. Asami came up to her, holding something in her hands. Something pulsating with a soft glow.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “You were right. And I should have trusted you.”
“Glad we got that straightened out,” said Elisa.
Asami held out the orb. “I want you to take this back. I’ll stick by your side. That’s what this means. It’s more important than anything else and…I lost sight of that.”
Elisa looked at it with a sigh. “You know, you’re a loose cannon. I can never be sure if you’re on my side or if you’re working for someone else or if you’ve found some way around it through your own twisted morality.”
Asami looked down and Elisa took the orb from her.
“But hey, nobody’s perfect, right?”
Asami grinned. “No, I suppose not.”
“That being said, you’re footing the bill for our flight home,” said Elisa. “Max, book us two first-class tickets back to the States.”
“Actually…make it three,” said Asami.
Max and Elisa looked up at her. “Come again?” asked Max.
Asami shrugged. “Well, I haven’t been to America in a long time and you don’t want to know what passes for a hot dog in Japan.”
“You know, there are easier ways to get a hot dog,” said Elisa.
“I’m not really one for the easy way out,” said Asami. “Besides, someone’s gotta watch your back, right?”
“Max?” asked Elisa. “What do you think?”
“I think our lives just got a lot more interesting,” said Max.
EPILOGUE
The tall, muscular white man with blond hair and dressed in a thousand-dollar suit looked somewhat out of place on Thailand’s Koh Tao Island. He walked along the beach, passing by the bars and restaurants, which were fairly active on this night. One of the island’s famous Full Moon parties was in full swing.
He entered one of the bars, pushing through the crowd of people he towered over and going straight to the bar. He said something to the bartender, who just shook his head in response. The white man reached inside his jacket and pulled out a photograph. He handed it to the bartender. At first the bartender shook his head, but then the man handed the bartender a roll of Thai baht. The bartender counted the money quickly and discretely, and then motioned for the man to follow him.
The white man followed the bartender into a back room. Where a man with olive-toned skin, lay naked on his stomach on a mat. A woman was in the middle of giving him an oil massage. The bartender tapped her on the shoulder and the masseuse looked at the man in the suit, then left with the bartender.
“I thought I paid for an hour?” said the naked man.
“I made her a better offer…” said the man in the suit, “…Mr. Davalos.”
The naked man turned over onto his back, staring curiously at the well dressed, large blond man. He stood up and picked up a towel, wiping the oil from his body. In addition to his olive skin, he also had sandy, shaggy hair with green eyes and his face was lined with stubble.
“You’ve got the wrong guy, buddy,” he said. “My name’s Dixon. Mike Dixon.”
“No, your name is Lucas Davalos.” The blond man reached inside his jacket and drew out a pack of cigarillos. He offered one to the man whose identity was still in disputed. He cautiously accepted.
“What makes you think that?”
&nbs
p; “Well…” The blond man took a cigarillo for himself and lit both of theirs. “I know Lucas Davalos is on the run from some very powerful people. Went from Japan to Bangkok and then had some friends take him out to Koh Tao.”
Lucas dropped the towel and picked up his pants from the pile of clothes. He pulled them on, still puffing on the cigarillo. “Is that so? This Davalos seems like quite the character.”
“He is, and my employer is very interested in his skills. He’s willing to pay quite handsomely for Mr. Davalos to acquire a certain item for him.”
“Is that so? And just out of curiosity, might I ask how much your employer is offering?”
“One million U.S. dollars. Cash.”
He removed the cigarillo. “Come again?”
The blond smiled. “My employer is well aware of the kind of objects you obtain, Mr. Davalos. They’re of an extremely high, almost incalculable value.”
“But to pay that much…?”
“This item is unique. And obtaining it will definitely not be easy.”
“Okay,” said Lucas. “What exactly are we talking about here?”
The blond man smiled. “Tell me, Mr. Davalos. Have you ever heard of the Necronomicon?”
To Be Continued…
***
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CONTINUE THE ADVENTURE!
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Dragon Kings of the Orient (The Myth Hunter Book 2) Page 11