by Mark Swaine
“You are spellbound by a demonic heart. How many strikes will it take to end your misery, cousin?” says Kamui Li, containing his anger.
“That would be telling.You can only imagine my surprise to find you indulging in slumber. How long has it been?” asks Wing Shin, still making small talk.
“A mistake I intend never to make again. What do you want, demon!” says Kamui Li, impatiently.
“Listen to me well old friend, for this will be the last time we will speak in such civil terms. Should you wish to spare those dear to you, surrender yourselves to the Darkness, my influence is strong with the deity. Give me the twin blades and the Darkness will spare you. The darkness needs me Kamui Li, I can save a short few, but not for long,” says Wing Shin.
“This darkness does not need you, it uses you. Look what you have done to yourself,” says Kamui Li, disgusted by the traitor's demonic form.
“Why delay the inevitable?” says Wing Shin, holding his arms out. “Why deny our true form?” he adds.
“What have you become?” muses Kamui Li aloud.
“I have become the most powerful Samurai and Sorcerer in all the lands,” says Wing Shin, stretching taller with pride as his yellow claws extend.
“You are not Samurai. Samurai serve the Emperor of Japan, with honour, and sacrifice,” sneers Kamui Li, strongly.
“You serve; I mean... you served a mortal man, a man destined for Diyu, just like every other mortal under his rule. It matters not in the grand hierarchy of our short lives; there is no escaping what comes next. Regardless as to those deemed superior, like our dear departed Emperor, to the bottom layer of society, there is no... escape,” says Wing Shin.
“You are insane; you speak as if all others are like-minded to you. Tatsu was a good man, I served a good man, and you and your heretic took him from us!” growls Kamui Li hatefully.
“He should not have been so covetous with his god-like knowledge, and do not mask your failure to protect him by branding me a murderer. The simple truth is, you were too weak to save him, just as you were too weak to slay your abusive Mother and Father. You have always been too weak to do what is necessary,” says Wing Shin pitifully. “I remember the day, clear as night, when I made my first kill. ‘Twas an innocent, do you remember?” says Wing Shin rhetorically.
“I did not intend for that to happen! ‘Twas an accident!” shouts Kamui Li.
“There are no accidents,” says Wing Shin, emphasising each word.
“Do not blame me for what you have done to yourself, not blame me for the deaths of thousands of our people, not blame me for taking the Emperor's life. You did those things, you chose, not me!” bellows Yu-Huang, unsheathing his Katana.
“Emperor Kazuko was right wasn't he, about Emperor Yu-Huang?” says Wing Shin, sensing Kamui Li's guilt. “He is blind to the dark deeds of man because he can only see the good in people. Pathetic. I am amazed he has lasted all these centuries. He possesses the mind of either a child or a truly audacious hypocrite,” scoffs Wing Shin.
“The Demi-god of light will last a century more with all of his might, you know not what you face, demon. With the Samurai fighting by his side, Hisako-Hisa's reign will soon be at an end,” says Kamui Li, circling his enemy.
“You know, you were Hisako-Hisa's favourite student...” says Wing Shin.
“...had I known her true intentions I never would have accepted her as my tutor,” interrupts Kamui Li.
“...she said, 'our hearts are as black as one another, but you lack conviction'. That is why she trusted me, more than you,” says Wing Shin smugly. “You could have had it all, with me at your side. Why did you betray us?” asks Wing Shin. “And please, do not lecture me on duty, honour or the will of good. No more lies, you may have the Emperor fooled, but not I,” says Wing Shin.
“She betrayed the Emperor! I possess no other cause!” shouts Kamui Li.
“So now you serve another to mask your shame. Yu-Huang is not your Emperor, or your people, or your blood, he is not even Japanese! Traitor. Hisako-Hisa works even now to rid the curse of immortal life grafted to your soul, do you want to know a secret?” whispers Wing Shin, lowering his head beside Kamui Li's ear.
“I know who bestowed upon the Samurai the Gift of Immortality. I know the incantation... I have told no one, until now,” says Wing Shin, slyly.
“Emperor Kazuko himself cast the spell of immortality himself, ‘tis no great secret,” says Kamui Li.
“But who bestowed such knowledge upon Emperor Kazuko?” says Wing Shin rhetorically.
“How could you possibly have learned of such information? I took Kazuko's head,” says Kamui Li.
“Next time, do not hesitate,” smirks Wing Shin.
“You are lying! Emperor Kazuko himself learned how to cast the spell of immortality, I refuse to indulge in your conspiracies, and I will not be manipulated,” states Kamui Li.
“You ignorant fool! Kazuko was no Sorcerer. Where do you imagine he would find such a spell when Hisako-Hisa not knows it herself!” barks Wing Shin.
“Then who?” asks Kamui Li.
“Patience cousin, the answers will come in time, for he is already among you,” reveals Wing Shin.
“He? you are wasting my time, you are stalling me, I must wake,” says Kamui Li, focussing on waking from the dream.
“I saw everything. I know how to remove the spell: give me the Shikyo blade and I will tell the Witch nothing. Cousin, trust me,” says Wing Shin, kindly.
“Why are you doing this? You were once a good man,” says Kamui Li, in angered dismay.
“Better to be allies with kings of hell, instead of their slaves. I am sure Emperor Yu-Huang has by now discovered the true origins of the darkness, but would I be correct in assuming he does not understand it?” asks Wing Shin.
Kamui Li tells him nothing, but he doesn't need to, Wing Shin reads him like an open book and smiles in realisation of his silence.
“It was you, you and Hisako-Hisa, all this time! You spread the undead plague into the Imperial citadel,” says Kamui Li.
“No, but our collaboration with the Darkness ensures our survival. Only by doing our Master's bidding are we protected and granted higher power. The Darkness is merely an weapon, a weapon I too will learn to control in time,” says Wing Shin as his eyes glow silver in his lust for power.
“This Darkness answers to a Master?” asks Kamui Li.
Wing Shin laughs a demonic echoed laugh at the prospect of the Darkness requiring a master, and then dovetails his long nails together whilst cupping his hands.
“The Darkness has no Master, requires no Master, only a guide with extensive knowledge of the mortals, and a thirst for revenge,” replies Wing Shin.
“A guide, Hisako-Hisa?” guesses Kamui Li.
“No, this guide resides elsewhere, in a domain a little harder to reach, a little more... bloodier, and hotter,” teases Wing Shin.
“Diyu,” replies Kamui Li sternly.
“I have seen inside the Darkness. I have seen the glory it will bestow upon this realm. Even the damned realm of Diyu has not the power to contain its unstoppable wrath, ‘tis an unmatchable energy Kamui Li. The damned mortals of this realm only increase its strength, it seeks to snuff out the light of all those who seek to lead a life of pureness. It seeks the source of all goodness located in the last realm of peace where the pure ones will enter upon their earthbound demise. Once the Trail of Light has been destroyed, only Diyu will remain, and the purity of chaos reign supreme. All those who join with the Darkness will be granted sanctuary, all those who oppose it... imagine the horror,” says Wing Shin proudly. “Now do you see, brother? Give me the blades and I will see to it you are granted mercy,” adds Wing Shin, kneeling to Kamui Li's height.
The two Samurai share a prolonged silence before Kamui Li looks at Wing Shin's white gaunt face, long pointy teeth and protruding cheek bones set below his thin yellow eyes void of pupils. He looks down at his long slim claws settled in the snow, then looks b
ack at his cousin with a wry smile whilst sheathing his Katana.
“If you knew the incantation for the spell of immortality, then why have you not cast it upon yourself, instead of having to resort to this never ageing, three hearted demonic form? The Darkness does not know how to reach the heavens does it, that is why it needs Emperor Yu-Huang, the crown prince of the kingdom of Pure Felicity and Majestic Heavenly Lights,” says Kamui Li, unraveling a fraction of the mystery, “and only the Samurai stand in its way,” he adds.
“Yu-Huang knows the way, and he will take it there! Upon the destruction of the Trail of Light, I will personally cast his body into the fires of Diyu myself. There is no force on this Earth that can prevent the Darkness,” snarls Wing Shin whilst extending his fingernails.
“Brother’, this I promise you, I will find a way to deliver you into peace, I do not care how long it takes, if there is a way... I will find it,” promises Kamui Li, humbly.
“Stubborn, weak, dead man, very well, you have chosen the hard path. As an alternative to death, I promise you something much much worse... expect suffering cousin, expect pain, and above all else... loss. You will see blood Kamui, oceans of blood before the end. Just as Yu-Huang has suffered the loss of his companions, you too shall know loss. Hell is coming to the Huanghua city...” warns Wing Shin, before releasing Kamui Li from the dream.
CHAPTER twenty
Meanwhile, in the dungeons of the Liumang prison...
“Heard your prayers I did,” says the dragon, in a deep growl.
“Yet you did not answer them,” replies Yu-Huang, with vexation.
The dragon's deep curved brows lower and tighten and his neck coils up as he turns his head to his back, gesturing to short black spikes where his wings were once attached to. The dragon snorts a cloud of steam from its nostrils and looks at Yu-Huang warningly.
“You cannot stay down here forever,” says Yu-Huang.
“Are you kicking me out?” asks the dragon with a wry smile.
“No,” replies Yu-Huang with a simple smile, “it has been a long time, how are you my friend?” smiles Yu-Huang.
“I was beginning to think you had forgotten about me,” says the dragon.
"I am well aware of how much you treasure your solitude,” says Yu-Huang, walking closer to the beast lying flat on his belly.
“You have found yourself in great need of counsel, it is time you learned some great truths,” says the dragon in a strange alien language.
“You know the spell of the tongue, how can this be?” asks Yu-Huang, strangely.
The Black Dragon taps a claw to its temple to signify its vast wealth of knowledge, then adjusts its muscular back legs into a position of comfort whilst tipping its head to one side allowing a large stray whisker to hang free.
“The Darkness knows not of the languages of the Supreme Sentinels, take heed and use them wisely, for even in shadow, word travels fast,” advises the dragon.
“Supreme Sentinels?” asks Yu-Huang “Dragon, what is happening to me?" asks Yu-Huang, abandoning his first query.
“Should you have journeyed all this way to ask me questions to which you already know, then leave. Do not waste my time,” says the dragon calmly and collectively, yet only a fool would disregard the warning in his deep tone of voice.
“So it is as I feared, I am to lose my divine light,” says the Emperor, hardly surprised at what he had secretly suspected for some time now.
To have his worst fears confirmed by a mere refusal to answer a question by a being as wise as the Black Dragon, made his stomach churn. The Black Dragon's reply, and failure to answer his question was the same as hearing it aloud, the same as hearing the truth revealed to him, all at once, and his face turns pale as his hands shake momentarily.
“Even now you age, you can feel it your bones, the aching, the weariness, the pains in your head,” says the dragon.
“What misdeed have I committed to deserve such a fate? What have I done wrong?” Yu-Huang quietly asks himself.
“Wrong? Wrong? You consider the path of a mortal to be one of damnation. No... No, no, no my old friend do not despair, it appears you have done something very right... the three trials of Yu-Huang the Great have begun,” says the dragon, encouragingly.
“Trials? What trials do you speak of? How have you come into possession of such knowledge?” asks Yu-Huang.
“That is not of importance,” grunts the dragon flaring his nostrils. “The seed is the key, though will not wake without the mortal soul of the Enlightened One...” says the dragon, reciting Emperor Kazuko's message
“...the Bonsai is the way, the Bonsai is the gateway for the Demi-gods,” says Yu-Huang, finishing the recital, “What Demi-gods was Emperor Kazuko speaking of?” asks Yu-Huang.
“The Supreme Sentinels. You know better than I, you dream of them often,” replies the dragon. “Tell me about these strange warriors. Tis only you and I Yu-Huang, not feel awkward about your wild visions here,” assures the dragon warmly.
“I... I cannot remember,” says Yu-Huang, straining his thoughts. “Why can I not remember... with all my power,” says Yu-Huang in frustration.
“Patience Yu-Huang, calm yourself, in your own time my friend. Now, allow your thoughts to enter your mind... let them in,” says the dragon in a soothing tone.
Yu-Huang breathes slowly and closes his eyes, and his eyelids flicker as a barrage of images batter his subconscious as one hundred savage strikes of blades battle to his beckoning call. Yu-Huang opens his eyes and smiles with calmness as he stares at the dragon.
“One such warrior possesses skin as dark as night,” says Yu-Huang.
“You have seen far across the realms of Earth, many tribes possess varying appearances,” says the dragon, urging him to reveal more.
“No, this one is different, I saw a man fighting in a jungle, and he too wishes a great many things for his people. He is noble, brave, loyal...” says Yu-Huang in reminiscence, “...and angry,” adds Yu-Huang with solemn afterthought. “He hails from a city of angels, but answers a call to war, he is unafraid... to pursue his dreams, and dares to challenge those who stand in his way,” says Yu-Huang admirably.
“You liken yourself to him, yes?” says the dragon sensing Yu-Huang's respect.
“Yes, yes I do... but these warriors are not of these lands,” says Yu-Huang.
“They are not even of our time. Do not be afraid to dream of them: continue,” says the dragon.
“I see a prosperous realm... born from a country of criminals, many there are. But there is one who is very powerful... and confused, and wounded. I see a large toothed warrior, ape like, standing upon a great white rock surrounded by water... and fire. I see a young woman with hair flowing like the gold rays of the sun, steering an iron chariot emblazoned with patterns of fire. I see them, and they are many. Who are these people?” asks Yu-Huang.
“They are the Demi-gods Emperor Kazuko spoke of,” reveals the dragon. “The progeny charged to your care above the Tower of Guang, they are the steeds of these Supreme beings. ‘Tis why you must take such good care of them, they will depend greatly on one another,” says the dragon.
“You have known all this time,” says Yu-Huang, fractiously. “One hundred Demi-gods, one hundred dragon eggs, they have not hatched because they are awaiting their Master’s arrival,” says Yu-Huang in realisation.
“Rider’s boy!” shouts the dragon whilst whacking its tail against the floor. “Remember who you are talking to: dragons possess no Master,” says the dragon, settling down.
“I meant no offense,” says Yu-Huang contritely.
“So now you know,” says the dragon.
“Why reveal this to me now?” asks Yu-Huang.
“‘Tis almost time,” says the dragon in a deep coarse voice.
“Almost time for what?” asks Yu-Huang, gravely.
“The next apocalypse,” says the dragon, looking Yu-Huang square in the face. “Next question,” barks the beast.
�
�The Realm of Chi awaits the Chosen Ones; the answer to the riddle of life has been revealed. You too shall know this in time. What is this realm of Chi, where among the stars can I find this realm?” asks Yu-Huang.
“This realm is beyond your sight, it resides deep within the black of space. You must go there Yu-Huang. For the sake of all humanity, you must,” says the dragon, severely.
“Why?” asks Yu-Huang with deep interest.
“The space travelling Creators who formed life on Earth, created two gateways on a distant planet,” says the dragon.