by Ino Lee
Wong thought back to his dream. “I doubt it.”
“What will you do now?”
Wong sighed. “It’s still a good staff, but perhaps I need something more now. All I have is a crystal blade and some small arms. There are a few useful items in this cave that I can scavenge.”
“There’s something to be said about traveling light,” Jaguan said, rapping the Phoenix Staff on the ground.
“I wouldn’t know what to do with one of those.” He flashed a quick smile. “Ro Lai stopped by this morning.”
“The dragon? Here?”
“Yes.”
“What did he want?”
“To give me news. There’s no sign of unan. They’re gone. Disappeared into Black Mountain.”
“They need to cross this region to get back to the Koon Kagi. I don’t believe they’re gone. They must be taking refuge in a cave, waiting for night.”
“That is what we think too, and if so, it is a mistake. They’ll be cornered. I told Ro Lai we would investigate. The dragons would be more than eager to help us burn them in their holes if we find them. Our goal is still the mark, but destroying the invasion force in one fell swoop is a worthwhile diversion. Do you agree?”
“Agree. It seems prudent since we are here and headed to the Koon Kagi all the same.”
“That’s what I was hoping. Are you ready to go hunting for unan then?”
“Do you know the way?”
“I do.”
“Then we have a bearing.”
Wong emerged from the cave with a new weapon. He wore a metal gauntlet with a small arm shield attached.
“A shield?” Jaguan inquired. “When you said you would re-arm, I was expecting more.”
Wong clenched his fist and blades protruded all along the sides of the shield. It was as if a giant shuriken was attached to his arm.
Jaguan was taken aback. “I see.”
“I originally built this to shed dragon fire. The blades extend the cover of the shield. They also provide a little offense when needed.”
“Interesting. Is it practical?”
“It was a bit cumbersome before, but it should work nicely now. I’m naturally stronger and I need the defense. I’m also bringing this.”
A bow and quiver appeared from behind the wooden gate.
“I should have guessed. The bow is of dagwai construction?”
“Yes. A sturdy product. I like them better than most.”
Wong wondered if Jaguan balked at him using a Koon Gee weapon. He figured the monk should get used to it since he also planned on wearing the mask.
“That’s a lot of extra weight,” Jaguan said. “Are you sure?”
“Do I tell you what kind of staff to carry?”
Wong was irked. He didn’t like Jaguan analyzing and prodding him like a new Shaolin recruit. He wondered if the dark energy within caused his temper to be shorter than normal, but realized it had always been rocky between them. He took a breath. If situations were reversed and his partner were compromised, he figured he’d do the same, wanting to know what he was dealing with. The Shoukoo, after all, was the more able warrior.
He softened his tone. “I must adapt and change tactics. More raw power over speed and cunning. The load is not great. The Iron Fist is mostly light armor except at strategic points. My red blade is larger than a samurai sword but weighs about the same because of the crystal coating. The bow and quiver will get lighter when I use up all the arrows and then I can ditch the bow. Long range ability is worth it.”
“I do not question your choice of weapons, Weapons Master. I would only offer a hand. The journey is long and I am only with a pack and this staff of phoenix bone.”
“Oh,” Wong said, slightly embarrassed.
He thought about it carefully and removed the Dragon Arm. “Why don’t you carry this?”
Jaguan’s face scrunched. “Are you sure?”
“You are trained in staff. No other weapon makes sense. It’ll hit harder than yours for physical attacks, and maybe your chi can awaken it.”
Jaguan took it gratefully. “Okay. For now.”
They navigated down from Wong’s hideout and walked briskly toward Black Mountain. Though Wong did not expect the unan to attack, he was still wary of a stray and unfriendly dragon.
Nothing moved in the barren landscape. Before long, they crossed a patch of burnt tar, the remnants of a demon.
“At least we know we’re headed the right way,” Wong said.
They passed a few more remains before they saw the desired mountain, which stood out from the others with its dusty, metallic hue. An acrid smell thickened. Wong was more cautious now and contemplated putting on Shenren, but quickly abandoned the idea upon seeing dragons perched above.
“Keep your staff high,” Wong said.
Jaguan scanned the landscape, wondering where the unan might be hiding. There were many crooks and crevices that could be the beginnings of a cave.
“There is much mountain to cover.”
“Hopefully we’ll find something low to the ground. I can’t imagine the unan seeking shelter while having to climb very high. They’d be too vulnerable to dragons.”
“Perhaps there are tracks to be found. Unan are masters of stealth, but sixty fleeing demons are difficult to conceal.”
“Good idea. How about I check left, you go right?”
Jaguan consented and they spread apart to search more territory. The open terrain made it easy to scan the landscape, and it was not long before Jaguan picked up a trail.
“Here,” he said.
Numerous tracks could be seen. They bore little semblance to human footprints; they were thinner toward the front, flat, and without toes or arches. A cluster of eight or nine unan were grouped together. Soon tracks from an adjacent path merged, followed by another.
“This is the full force come together,” Wong said. “They’re all here. They split apart to elude the dragons, but converged here.”
They followed the tracks to an area at the foot of Black Mountain. Not far away, they saw a narrow opening in the rock partially concealed by charred branches. Jaguan and Wong shot each other a knowing glance. Wong unsheathed his red sword.
Jaguan paused. “Is this a good idea?”
“You first.”
“If the army is in there, we would stir the hornets’ nest. We are no match.”
“Flash a light orb. High.”
Jaguan raised his staff and a ball of light burned above their heads.
Ro Lai soon appeared and landed next to them, while another dragon with deep blue scales perched on a crag above the opening. The shadow of another form sailed overhead, keeping watch and adding to their numbers. Jaguan was glad for their company. They didn’t have enough numbers to make a difference in an open battle, but dragon fire concentrated at a single point of attack would do the trick.
“Have you found them?” Ro Lai roared.
“We’re not sure yet,” Wong said. “We tracked the demons here.”
Ro Lai squinted at the narrow opening and sneered.
Jaguan’s eyes grew bright as he reached toward the tunnel entrance. “I cannot sense a presence, but the rock walls may impede my ability.”
“Only one way to find out,” Wong said. “I’ll go in. Ro, if you could, guard the opening, and if you see black, spit fire.”
Ro Lai acknowledged by puffing smoke out his nostrils.
“I’m going to put on the unan mask. Don’t fry me.”
Wong snapped on Shenren, needing the extra power if he were to face a cave full of unan. He walked with his shield up and his sword resting on his gauntlet like a lance, parallel to the ground. He kicked aside the branches blocking the entrance and looked in.
Cool air moved within and he had a change of heart. He stepped back.
The golden dragon moved closer and hunched. “A wise decision. Step aside, Man-Dragon.”
Ro Lai arched his body and inhaled, then expelled a large burst of flame. Wong felt the power of the blast as an explosion of sound, heat, and light.
“That’ll do. Thanks.”
He stepped in again. Nothing changed except that it was a few degrees warmer. He did not detect the sounds of scurrying demons fleeing for their lives, as he had hoped.
“Nothing here,” he called back out. “Except . . . maybe a corridor.”
“A corridor?” Jaguan said. “How far?”
“It’s hard to tell.”
Jaguan approached and touched Wong’s shoulder. “Let me see.”
A light orb shot down the path and seemed to go on forever.
“It’s a very deep passage,” Jaguan said.
Wong tracked the orb and came upon a realization. “I think I know how far it goes—all the way.”
“All the way?”
“To the Koon Kagi.”
“All the way to the Koon Kagi? That would be a grand undertaking. Decades in the making.”
“But it would explain everything. That’s how they avoided the Dragon Pass and most of the Forbidden Range. They tunneled through it.”
Ro Lai stuck his head in, hearing their conversation. They stared dumbfounded at the discovery.
“We don’t know for sure how far it goes or what it is,” Wong said. “But we can take a closer look, see where it goes.”
Jaguan nodded, still contemplating the possibility.
“You will go without dragons,” Ro Lai said.
“We’ll be okay. The corridor’s narrow. Only one or two demons will be able to fight at a time. It doesn’t matter if there’s an army.”
Ro Lai grunted in consent.
“If we don’t come back soon, we’ve gone to the other side. We’ll try to draw out the army if they’re in there.”
“Fine, humans. We will guard this entrance until sundown; then you are on your own.”
Wong started down the corridor. “Take care. Good hunting.”
The light from the tunnel entrance quickly faded and the tip of the Phoenix Staff began to glow to compensate. They were cautious at first, but it soon became apparent that they were alone.
Jaguan took out two beaded bracelets. He held onto one with his left hand and wore the other. From time to time, he’d shift a bead.
“Hope you’re not claustrophobic,” Wong said, taking off his mask.
“No, but I wonder about this diversion now. What purpose does this serve? It may be an unnecessary risk. The mark is still our priority.”
“I was thinking the same thing, but this tunnel may lead us straight to the Koon Kagi anyway. It might actually be safer and faster than taking the Dragon Pass.”
“Curiosity will be the death of us. Embracing your way of thinking will take getting used to.”
Wong laughed. “I’m just glad you stopped complaining about my mask.”
The tunnel was straight and uninteresting. The journey grew tedious and minutes felt like hours. Their steps were quick and in unison, the rhythmic beat of their feet the only thing keeping them sane.
Jaguan shifted a bead.
Wong examined the walls. “I wonder how many years they’ve been at it, slowly chipping away at the rock, plotting their attack on Shaolin.”
“Surely this process was many years in the making.”
“Makes you wonder what else they’ve been doing.”
“Most likely nothing good.”
“All this time plotting our downfall. What else could they have in play? It could be anything and we’d have no way of knowing unless we changed our tactics, ventured into the Koon Kagi, tried being proactive for once and striking the first blow, don’t you think?”
“I get it, Wong. Your point is clear. You no longer have to convince me. I am here.”
“Is my point clear though? Has it been duly noted?”
“What?”
“Never mind. How long do you think we’ve been down here for? It feels like days.”
“Approximately two and a quarter hours.”
“That was very specific.”
“Pacing beads.”
“Oh. I should have thought of that.”
The land slanted and pitched at times, opened up and closed, but the rock walls were an unyielding constant. Many shifts of a bead later, they saw a tiny speck of light.
Wong slowed, cautious. “Could this be the end?”
“It should be. We’ve gone far enough.”
They crept slowly toward the entrance, listening for signs of movement, but there were none. When they reached the end, they were greeted by more rock and canyon, though with an occasional sprig of foliage.
Wong drew a deep breath.
“Welcome to the Koon Kagi.”
11
SEA FOAM SPRITZED skyward as waves broke against Du Lai’s shell. Water streamed across the ridges on the giant turtle’s back and splashed against the walls of Tae and Tengfei’s carriage. Fortunately, the carriage was waterproof since it also functioned as a makeshift boat when not attached to the creature’s back. An adjustable sail also doubled as a sunshade and occasionally, an umbrella.
Du Lai moved effortlessly. The sea turtle was well trained and managed to keep its shell above water for the most part, except at one point when a flush of water drenched them. This was not uncommon for giant sea turtle rides; a pail allowed removal of excess salt water, while a sunbathing session dried up their clothes in no time.
Tengfei stood near the creature’s head with his staff raised before returning to the carriage.
“Du Lai needs to feed. We just passed a jellyfish colony.”
“Okay, I’ll get my side,” Tae said.
She immediately set to loosening a cable on her end to free them from the turtle’s shell. They gathered the straps into the carriage and Tengfei shouted a word to the turtle. Du Lai dove and left its passengers to clumsily bob in its wake.
“It should not be long,” Tengfei said. “This was well-timed and opportunistic.”
“It seems we are making good progress.”
“Two more days, at least, and we should be there.”
Tae peered at the horizon where Yomai would be. She only heard of the land of the samurai but had never seen it. In fact, she had been to few places very far outside of Shunnan until her recent dealings with Shaolin, never realizing how much she loved traveling and eager to make up lost time.
“What is Yomai like?”
“Beautiful. Everything is neat and orderly. The temples are smaller, but with great character. The buildings blend with nature. And the food is made with the same care and attention to detail. You will like it there.”
“Sounds amazing. I can’t wait.”
While Du Lai splashed and gorged on the floating bobs of succulent jellyfish, Tae wondered why she had never made more of an attempt to see the world before. She guessed it had something to do with the close knit ties of the Shunnan Hunters and her feelings of duty. Much of her family lived there and had no desire to leave. If she left and something happened to them, especially in such a dangerous environment, she would be overcome with guilt. It wasn’t until a higher calling and matters of the Shaolin Temple drew her away, which was almost a relief. She thought about Yomai again.
“What are the samurai like?”
“Proud people. Disciplined, honorable. Similar to Shaolin, but perhaps . . . more formal?”
“More formal than Shaolin?”
“The samurai have a way of doing things. With ceremony, respect. Take for example, your sword. It is a cherished artifact, but they would not take it back on principle
, because its master had passed it on to Wong. To do so would be considered a great disrespect.”
“I see. Will they take it from me then?”
“To borrow a chi shard is a great ask. It will balance things.”
Du Lai veered quickly away, chasing some unknown sea delicacy that had taken its fancy. Tae stared long at the spot where the water stirred.
“Given their formality, I wonder if Wong should be the one giving the sword back to them then.”
“He did relinquish it to you. It is yours to decide.”
“No he didn’t, not like that, not like how his master passed it on to him. I wouldn’t let him do that. He more or less lent it to me but then wouldn’t take it back. It’s not mine.”
“You earned it. It was given to you in battle, during a time of great duress as I understand.”
“I get the feeling he’s trying to get rid of it.”
“Get rid of it? Why?”
“He once told me long ago that a sword can become mystic, that your chi imprint can be left in it. He hasn’t since his chi . . . he doesn’t want to touch it.”
Tienkow looked sullen. “I see.”
“I’m worried he’s giving up, letting go of the past. This is just one more connection to sever.”
“One more loose end to tie up?”
“Exactly.”
“If he is doing as you say, cutting off the past and settling his affairs, what comes next? What is his end game?”
“I don’t think he even knows. Perhaps one last suicide mission to the Koon Kagi.”
“I see. At least Jaguan is with him.”
“Maybe I should have gone too, but instead I travel the seas to dine with samurai, on a mission of formality.”
“It is important.”
“I know, but I didn’t even argue.”
Tengfei saw her conflict and thought to spread monk wisdom. “There was a time long ago when I was still honing my craft, I set about taming a young mahzing that had been brought to Shaolin. It was sick and had lost its herd, and became my responsibility to nurse back to health. I visited the stables, fed and cared for it, tried connecting with its mind. A wild, unruly creature it turned out to be. The steed had become my obsession, a challenge for a young monk to overcome. After all, how many monks could boast taming a mahzing? Weeks went by and still I could not understand why it would not obey.”