Warriors of the Way-Pentalogy

by Orlando A. Sanchez

  TWENTY-SIX

  KAL HELD HER weapon before her body. Her broken arm hung limply at her side. Behind her, Zen gripped Balance with both hands as it began to vibrate again. Above them, the crescent moon sat as an impassive witness.

  “The mist has moved and will kill everyone in the city unless he can stop it,” said Luna. “From what I’m seeing, he’s losing control, not gaining it.”

  The Rah Ven guard fanned out around Kal and Zen, forming a crescent to match the one above them. Kal focused and straightened out her broken arm, resetting it. She screamed into the night as tears filled her eyes. She grabbed another blade with her now healed hand.

  “You don’t want to do this,” said Kal in a half growl.

  “Impressive, but even with the old blood in your veins you are outmatched,” said Luna. “If we don’t stop him, thousands will suffer. He has to die.”

  “”You’re going to have to kill me first,” said Kal.

  She took a step forward when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Zen was holding her back.

  “She right, Kal,” he said. “I don’t think I can stop this. My life is not more important than the lives of the Rah Ven.”

  “It is to me,” said Kal turning to face him. “I’m not going to lose you, too.”

  A low growl filled the area as three Rah Ven shimmered into view and padded into the area. Everyone froze in place and watched them advance. They stood taller than any other Rah Ven and placed themselves around Kal and Zen, sitting on their haunches. Their yellow eyes gleamed in the night and gray fur bristled as the center Rah Ven growled again. Luna and the Guard sheathed their weapons.

  “What the hell is this?” said Kal as she looked around her in surprise. “Who are they?” she said, looking at Luna.

  Luna bowed and went down on one knee. The Guard beside her did the same.

  The Gray Rah Ven looked at Kal but remained immobile and silent. Behind her, she heard shuffling steps getting closer and someone muttering.

  “Always black and white with these pups, always only one way,” said the healer as she stepped into the area. “Too quick to take a life is what they are.”

  “Grandmother,” said Luna through a clenched jaw. The edge in her voice cut through the night as she tried to contain her anger.

  The old healer bowed, smiled, and then grew serious.

  “Don’t take that tone,” said the healer, pointing a finger. “You be the one in the wrong here.”

  “You summoned the Grays? How could you?” said Luna.

  The old healer walked up to the three Rah Ven surrounding Kal and Zen. She touched Kal on the chin and drew close to Zen, putting a hand on his chest.

  “Yes I summoned them, because of this,” she said pointing at Balance. “The mist will destroy us all if he doesn’t get it under control.”

  “Grandmother, I don’t think I can—” said Zen.

  “Hush,” she interrupted. “There is no choice here. She thinks killing you will stop the mist” —she gestured at Luna—“but she be wrong. The blade has fed on your blood, and only you can stop it now.”

  “When Braca unleashed the mist, this is how it was stopped,” said Luna. “By killing him.”

  “Do you see Braca before you now?” said the healer. “Braca had lost his wits by the time the mist was prowling. There be no other choice but death with him.”

  She turned to Zen, looked him in the eyes, and slapped his cheek. “Have you lost your wits, boy?” she asked.

  “No, Grandmother, I’m all here, but—”

  The healer raised a hand and silenced him. She walked over to the center Gray and placed a hand on its neck.

  “He has your blood; he be your kin now, help him bring back the mist,” she said. “Show him how.”

  “You gave him…Gray blood?” said Luna, shocked.

  The healer turned to Luna, her face hard. “I gave him what I thought he and this pack needed, pup,” she said. “Alpha you be, but I be the healer of the pack. Older than you and older than most.” The healer shuffled over to where Luna knelt and stepped close to her ear. “Are you challenging my place?” she whispered.

  Luna became red-faced and looked down immediately. “No, Grandmother, never,” said Luna.

  The healer patted Luna on the head and then caressed her cheek. “That’s good,” she said. “I gave your father my word I would see you raised right and it would break my heart to have to kill you.”

  “Yes, Grandmother,” said Luna, her voice a whisper. The healer turned her back on Luna and spoke to the Grays.

  “The mist is prowling; show him how to bring it here, bring it back into Balance,” she said. She turned to Luna. “Alpha, this be Gray business. You can stay. Your Guard must be on their way.”

  Luna stood and gave the Guard a nod. As one, they disappeared from view and left the area, leaving Luna alone. The healer stood still and sniffed the air a moment.

  “Good, they be gone, now come here,” said the healer. “Bring it out.”

  She spoke into the darkness and for a few seconds nothing happened. From the same direction the healer had come from a Rah Ven in canine form shimmered into view with an unconscious body in its jaws. The body was dressed as one of the Rah Ven Guard.

  “What is this?” said Luna, perplexed. “That is not one of my Guards.”

  “I know. First the mist,” said the healer, moving close to Zen.

  She stood in front of a heavily sweating Zen. He held Balance as it trembled in his hands. A low growl rumbled from the three Gray Rah Ven as they stepped closer to Zen. The growl increased in volume until Kal covered her ears against the sound.

  “Focus or die here, pup,” said the healer. “That is your choice. Bring the mist back. You control it, not the opposite.”

  Zen closed his eyes and let the rumbling fill him. The sound washed over his body and shook every part of him while it keeping him rooted. He noticed that Balance grew still and then realized that it wasn’t that it had stopped vibrating, but that he was moving with the same frequency as the weapon.

  “Call it back, call the mist,” said the healer. “Bring them here.”

  Zen dropped to his knees. The Gray Rah Ven continued their growling. Yellow light filled the night as the three Rah Ven kept their gaze focused on Zen and their eyes began to glow. Kal and Luna looked around while the healer stood in front of Zen. Howling soon joined the growling of the Rah Ven and the mist returned.

  “Bring them here to you, to the weapon,” said the healer.

  The mist was thicker now, making it impossible to see more than a few feet in any direction. Kal and Luna stepped closer to the Gray Rah Ven as canine forms ran around them. The light of the Gray was a beacon in the night and seemed to attract the Rah Ven floating in the mist the same way an open flame attracted moths. In minutes, a swirling mass of gnashing and howling Rah Ven circled the light of the Gray. Out of the mass, a lone figure appeared and approached Zen. He was tall and muscular with long hair falling to his shoulders. His face and chest were covered in scars. He stepped close to the Gray but remained just outside the light.

  “His life is forfeit. Release him to me,” said the figure, looking at the Gray Rah Ven.

  “No,” said the healer. “His life belongs to the pack.”

  “Who dares?” said the figure, turning to face the healer. The howling around them grew louder.

  The healer stepped forward to stand in front of the figure.

  “I be the one who dares, Braca of the warwolves,” she said.

  Braca looked down at the healer and crossed his massive arms in front of his chest. The howling quieted and only the rumbling growl of the Gray continued.

  “Well met, Grandmother,” he said with a nod of his head.

  “Well met, Leader of the Hunt,” said the healer, returning the nod.

  “He summoned the mist with his own blood,” said Braca sniffing the air. “Half-breed blood at that. He is not strong enough to wield Balance. Better I take him now befo
re he repeats my error.”

  “No,” whispered Kal. “He can’t.”

  The healer gave her a brief look before turning back to Braca.

  “He did what you could not. He is strong enough,” she said. “Half breed holds no weight here. His blood can control Balance.”

  “You forget your place, Grandmother,” said Braca. “The mist is the home of all our dead. We have one purpose—to destroy the enemies of the Rah Ven.”

  “That includes Rah Ven, does it?” she asked. “You would kill your kin?”

  “I am the Leader of the Hunt,” growled Braca. “He summoned with blood. You know the risks. Let the mongrel speak if his voice is strong enough.”

  Zen opened his eyes and stood. Braca stood a foot taller and looked down at him.

  “I am Zen of the pack and I am strong enough,” said Zen.

  Braca tossed his head back and laughed. Around them yelps and howls joined in his laughter.

  “You are a whelp, half breed,” said Braca, still laughing. “You do not possess one tenth of my strength when I held that weapon. You could not have done this without the help of the Gray.”

  “I won’t let you kill Rah Ven, or anyone else tonight,” said Zen.

  “You do not know what you are holding, half breed,” said Braca as his voice switched timbre, becoming deeper. “You do not want this curse.” He extended a hand. “Release it and let me ease your burden, and join the hunt. Stand at my right hand.”

  Zen stood silent, his eyes glazed for a few moments, looking at the hand before shaking his head.

  “No, this is my burden to bear,” said Zen. “I will carry it. This mist needs to end now.”

  Braca lowered his hand and turned to the healer. “He did not succumb as I did,” he said, his voice now returned to normal. “He will be worthy, but he must be taught.”

  He put his head back and howled. Around him, the mist responded with howls and began to dissipate. The howls around them diminished until there was only the silence of the night. Even the rumbling growl of the Gray was gone. Braca stood in the night, his presence no less intimidating without the mist.

  “Guard yourself, half breed,” he said. “Learn to master the hunt and it will be your greatest weapon. Fail to do this and you will end up like me.”

  Zen nodded. “I will,” he said.

  “One more thing,” said Braca. “The pack will challenge a half breed bearing this weapon, no matter what blood runs in your veins.” He looked at the healer. “I will give you something for the loose tongues of the pack.”

  He stepped close and placed a hand on Zen’s chest. A golden light spilled over Zen as he screamed and grabbed Braca’s arm. Kal moved to help, but Luna held her in place with a shake of her head.

  “You now bear my mark,” said Braca. “The weapon is rightfully yours until you breathe your last. No one else can wield it while you live.”

  Zen stepped back and looked down. The image of Balance was now branded over the left side of his chest.

  “Thank you,” said Zen.

  “Do not thank me. The time will come when you will curse both that mark and me,” said Braca with a grim smile.

  The last trails of the mist began to disappear. Braca grew ephemeral as he looked at the healer. “Run long and run fast, old one,” he said. “He is in your hands.”

  “Your hunt be always fruitful, Braca,” she said and nodded.

  Braca disappeared along with Balance. For a second, Zen looked around and then realized that he had absorbed the weapon.

  “Will he appear every time I use it?” asked Zen.

  The healer placed a hand on his chest. The angry pink mark healed in seconds, leaving it raised and scarred.

  “That would depend on you,” said the healer. “You belong to the weapon as much as it belongs to you now.”

  In the silence of the night, the healer looked around at the three Gray Rah Ven. She bowed her head and whispered something into the night. The three looked at the healer, bowed their heads, and two of them shimmered into the night, disappearing. The last Gray looked at Zen and placed a paw on the mark, nearly knocking him down. It gave a low growl and padded off to stand a few feet away, a silent witness.

  The healer reached into a pouch she carried and tossed something to Zen. “Put on a shirt and cover that thing,” she said. “No need for unwanted attention.”

  “What would have happened if he had taken the offer?” Kal asked Luna under her breath.

  “We wouldn’t be having this conversation now,” Luna replied. “All of us would have been part of the hunt.”

  “Even the healer?”

  “All of us,” said Luna as she walked up to the healer.

  “Why didn’t it leave with the others?” asked Kal. “What’s it waiting for?”

  “I don’t know,” said Luna. “You took a great risk tonight, Grandmother.”

  “It needed to be done,” she said. “Times for blood and times for talk. This was not a time for blood.”

  Luna sniffed the air before tracking the smell back to Zen.

  “What about him?” asked Luna. “He can’t stay with the pack, not smelling like that.”

  The healer nodded and patted Zen on the chest. “He will stay with the Gray, until his blood is settled,” she said and nodded to the large Gray Rah Ven standing in the distance.

  “With the…is that even possible?” asked Luna.

  “It will be difficult, but they can show him what needs to be shown. They be in accord with this.”

  “I’m going with him,” said Kal. She walked over to Zen and took his hand in hers, looking at the healer as she did so. “I am going with him.”

  The healer gave a sly smile. “Those be my last words to the Gray,” she said. “Those two be as one, I said.”

  “And they agreed to this, Grandmother?” said Luna, shocked. “How could they? They aren’t even full Rah Ven—” The healer shuffled closer to Luna and clasped her hand, pulling her closer. Her words were just above a whisper.

  “An Alpha is measured by the strength of the pack,” said the healer. “A wise Alpha knows only one thing matters.”

  “Only the blood matters,” said Luna as the healer nodded in approval. “I apologize, Kal, Zen—I wasn’t thinking. It’s just that it’s only happened twice before in our history and never to someone who wasn’t a full-blooded Rah Ven. I meant you no offense.”

  “None taken,” said Zen. “My question is: who gave me this weapon if it wasn’t Grandmother?’

  “That be her concern now as Alpha,” said the healer looking at Luna. “You two best be on your way. The Gray are not the patient kind.”

  Zen and Kal held the healer’s hands. “Thank you, Grandmother, for everything,” they both said.

  She waved away their words. “Don’t be thanking me, I did what I must. Now go,” she said, waving them off.

  Zen and Kal stepped over to the Gray Rah Ven who turned to the healer and growled once more. The healer nodded and said something under her breath. The Rah Ven shimmered and the three of them disappeared.

  The healer gestured to the Rah Ven who had the body in its jaws. It opened its jaws wide and dumped the body on the ground. “Who indeed,” she said. “That be the best question of this night. This pup tried to kill me and take my place after giving Balance to the guardian.”

  “He can shift forms?” asked Luna.

  “Yes, who be this and how be he dressed as part of your Guard, Alpha?”

  “I will get the answer to those questions even if they are the last answers he gives,” said Luna.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  “THIS WAS THE last place she stood,” said Devin as they exited the portal inside the Mikai home of Master Zanshi.

  “How can you do that, find her across planes?” asked Raquel.

  “I’m keyed to her on several different levels, so I can find her pretty much anywhere,” said Devin, looking around. “It looks like we are in someone’s home.”

  “Do
you know whose home this is?” asked Raquel.

  “Judging from the décor, rustic and natural, and the pictures from some of my studies, I almost want to say the Mikai.”

  “The Mikai? What would she be doing with them? Why would she be here?”

  “I could ask you the same question,” said a female voice from behind them.

  Around them, five Mikai appeared with drawn blades. Devin held his hands up and looked at Raquel, who reluctantly did the same. A tall female dressed in green leather stood in the center of the room.

  “I am Mariko, leader of this clan of Mikai,” she said. “You have five seconds to tell me who you are before I make your answer irrelevant.”

  Devin spoke first, while Raquel narrowed her eyes at the threat. “We meant no disrespect. I am Devin of the house of Aumera,” he said. “I’m looking for my sister, about this tall”—he motioned with his hand—“looks upset most of the time, my complexion, long black hair, green eyes, and an abrasive demeanor. She was here recently in this very room.”

  “And you are?” Mariko said, looking at Raquel.

  “Pissed,” she said, lowering her hands. “Have you seen Meja or not? We don’t have time to waste here.”

  Mariko smiled and gave a slight nod. The five Mikai around her vanished. “You are the one they call the gunslinger, yes?”

  “You know me?” asked Raquel.

  “We are Mikai, we know of everyone who is a potential threat to us,” said Mariko.

  “That’s some camouflage,” said Devin, looking around.

  Mariko raised one eyebrow at Devin. “It’s impressive you can still sense them,” she said. “Most would consider them invisible.”

  “I’ve had some training. How long ago did Meja leave?”

  “In a sense, she never left,” said Mariko. “She is with my mother and the warrior holding death. They are in a special place known only to Mikai.”

  “The warrior holding death?” asked Raquel. “Who is that?”

  “The one who is holding the third focus. You call him Dante,” said Mariko.

  “He undid a searing,” said Devin. “Did you say the third focus?”

  “I am certain Master Sylk could explain further,” replied Mariko. “We are in a clan meeting, at which I must be present. You will wait here and we will answer your questions. Your sister will return when the ritual preparations are complete.”