by Mark Swaine
“...after the seventh time I began to realise there could well be a problem. Can I be healed of this curse? Is it a side effect of being in contact with the undead, or is this something that I should come to expect when I reach his age?” asks Akio pointing at General Arachie.
“Well, is it?” asks Yeman Ren quietly as he looks at the General beside him.
The General's solid and militant demeanour fails to waver as Noblemen and distant royalty attending the ceremony gasp in horror at the Samurai's shameless talk. Kamui Li stands firmly on the verge of shameful tears and Xan Li's shoulders shudder up and down as she contains her urge to break into a fit of laughter. Shun-Shiro, more than accustomed to his best friend's care free honesty holds his hands over Xunsu's ears, even though she can hear every word Akio is saying.
“What is Akio talking about Shun-Shiro?” asks Xunsu.
“Oooooooooooo, have you seen the pretty carvings of the dragons all over the temple wall,” says Shun-Shiro, deflecting in an upbeat voice.
“Yes, when we first arrived, what about them?” replies Xunsu.
“Just look at the damn dragons,” replies Shun-Shiro plainly, “and child, if you stand on my foot again the way you did earlier, I will launch you head first off the Blue Dragon Waterfall,” adds Shun-Shiro strictly.
“I care not, I shall fly,” replies Xunsu cockily.
“Yes, you shall,” replies Shun-Shiro.
“Just try it, wench,” replies Xunsu.
Mǎkè listens to Akio's problem intently and with purpose as he grabs a blank parchment and cylindrical piece of lead from the inside of his sleeve. Xiaojian double glances over his shoulder as he begins drawing a rough sketch of a contraption designed to raise... something that looks like a bent mushroom. Xiaojian confusedly observes the design, complete with springs attached to a one inch support.
“What are you doing Mǎkè?” asks Xiaojian finally.
“Solving Akio's problem,” says Mǎkè excitedly.
“His issues have nothing to do with catapulting mushrooms,” replies Xiaojian.
“‘Tis not a catapult Xiaojian,” replies the scribbling man.
Xiaojian tilts her head to the side to look at the supported mushroom from another angle. Xiaojian grips Mǎkè by the back of his neck a second before he can announce his new invention and slowly pulls him back into formation whilst looking at him crossly.
“What is the matter with you? This will solve his problem,” whispers Mǎkè urgently.
“Before or after you replace it with a metal one that probably shoots arrows or sprays fire? You would probably replace it with Húluóbos just to sate your sick curiosity,” says Xiaojian.
“I would never do that to Húluóbo!” protests Mǎkè.
Xioajian exasperates and ends the annoyingly ridiculous conversation.
“General Arachie is the most respected soldier in all the territories Akio Ishikawa, you will respect his name now and always, do I make myself understood?” says Yu-Huang formally.
“I beg your forgiveness Master,” says Akio humbly.
“You need not ever beg my forgiveness soldier, merely heed your words when regarding those I hail friend,” says Yu-Huang.
General Arachie frowns a little as the Emperor announces his sentimental thoughts, and he looks at Liu Chan in reference to his words that night in the garden.
Yu-Huang walks steadily the steps as his eyes begin to glow, and both his hands crackle with white light as he aims them at Akio. White streams of smoking light thrust from the palms of his hands and wrap around Akio until finding their way into his bandaged chest wound. Akio grips the arm rests of the chair and he jolts rigidly as the cut in his heart begins to heal and smoke. As the streams of light fade from the Emperor's hands, steam rises from the wheelchair bound Samurai yelling in exhilaration. The Emperor gives the Samurai a moment to recuperate whilst taking his throne.
“Now rise my friend,” says Yu-Huang kindly.
Akio confidently grips the armrests of the wheelchair and carefully lifts himself onto his feet. Akio smiles in ecstatic relief whilst taking great long breaths of air. His strides continue forth as he walks up the steps to the Emperor. Akio stops before the Emperor and bows a most humble and gracious bow. Looking the Emperor dead in the eyes, a different man speaks.
“By the bloodline of the Ishikawas, you have my sword Emperor Yu-Huang. Now and forever I will continue to serve you until my death,” says Akio in his native Japanese tongue.
“A great destiny awaits you Akio Ishikawa, what your destiny will be, I know not. But you are born to greatness, of that I am sure,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Greatness found me the day Yeman Ren destroyed the creatures of Darkness Master Yu-Huang,” says Akio humbly.
Akio bows once again to the Emperor, and longingly to Yeman Ren. Yeman Ren returns the respectful gesture before Akio rejoins the formation of Samurai with the intention of standing beside Kamui Li. Akio takes one look at Kamui Li's intense face then immediately turns the opposite direction and walks toward friendlier faces. Akio stands beside Shun-Shiro, Xunsu and Xiaojian, and he can still sense Kamui Li's glare upon him.
“What is his problem? Was it something I said?” asks Akio.
“I wonder,” replies Xiaojian, quietly.
“Genghis Kong, General of the Blue Coastal Clan, step forward,” says Yu-Huang.
The goateed seven-foot muscle bound hunter steps forward from his small formation of soldiers. His orange, blue and green coral crafted armour chinks and scrapes as his heavy footsteps thud with each step up the short and shallow staircase.
“Your presence during the attack of the undead was due to little more than extremely good fortune, and you fought with the bravery and valour of the entire Coastal armies combined. For your arms in combat, I present you with not only a symbol of my eternal gratitude, but a most powerful weapon should you find the shores of our great country under attack,” says the Emperor.
Emperor Yu-Huang signals to a Jade Centurion and the regal guard places a wrapped object into the Emperor's hands. Yu-Huang stands from his throne and Genghis Cong holds his arms out humbly as Yu-Huang places the silk wrapped object into his massive armoured hands.
Genghis Cong gently unfolds the silk scarlet cloth from the light uneven mass cupped in his hand. As the multicoloured sea shell is revealed, Genghis can hardly believe his eyes. Looking at the shell from all angles to verify his shock, he gasps inwards as he counts four valves.
“The heart of Gong Gong, the Water god,” whispers Genghis Cong in amazement.
“Blowing into one or all four valves will call upon various behemoths from the deepest regions of the seas. Heed caution General of the Blue Coastal Clans, the beasts of the deep will not recognise friend from foe. Only use this in dire times my friend, as a last resort only,” warns Yu-Huang.
“Master,” says Genghis lowering to his knee. “I am unworthy of such a trophy,”
“I possess no trophies from those I have defeated in combat, and I took no joy in permanently vanquishing my great opponent to the elemental netherealm. The heart of Gong Gong is a weapon, one that should be wielded by a great soldier, you Genghis Cong... are that soldier,” says the Emperor confidently.
“Xiaojian, step forth,” says Yu-Huang.
Prim and properly, Xiaojian makes her way to the Emperor and bows courteously before correcting him.
“Xiaojian...Ren, my Emperor,” says Xiaojian.
Yeman Ren smiles quaintly at her defiance, and the Emperor nods in acknowledgement of his error as she maintains eye contact with the supposed Demi-god.
“Xiaojian, your strength, your resourcefulness, and loyalty to your family are unparalleled. Alone and outnumbered you held back the forces of darkness to defend those who were too sick to defend themselves,” says Yu-Huang.
“I was not alone my Emperor, my father Yeman Ren arrived to aid me and he destroyed the forces of darkness in one swift blow. ‘Twas only after he had destroyed the threat and res
cued countless innocents that a heavily armed unit of Jade soldiers arrived and dragged him away like a dog,” says Xiaojian civilly and spitefully.
“Xiaojian!” says Yeman Ren quietly and crossly.
“I was ashamed to hear that he was to be taken away to the Liuman prison, then later I learned that he was instead... taken to the Pits of Guàiwù,” says Xiaojian, biting her lip in fury.
“Xiaojian, let me assure you, the incident that occurred at Huīsè de Cǎo (Grey Grass) village, will never happen again. Furthermore, the men responsible for Yeman Ren's torment in the Pits of Guàiwù have been severely dealt with, have they not General Arachie?” says the Emperor, seeking an answer.
“Yes my Emperor, most severely,” says the General, resenting the Emperor's decision to discharge loyal soldiers from the Jade army.
It was a decision that resulted in a minor conflict of hierarchy the day Emperor Yu-Huang commanded his General to cast them from the Jade order. General Arachie had proposed a lesser punishment in the form a demotion or relocation to a distant and even more undesirable outpost, but the Emperor had already made his decision.
General Arachie thinks back to the day when he experienced his first bitter conflict with the Emperor.
In the great hall where the Emperor sits in his throne, the General marches through the golden gates and bows at the base of the steps.
“My Emperor, you summoned me,” says the General.
“Yes, a great many disturbing truths regarding the Pits of Guàiwù have been brought to my attention,” says the Emperor.
“My Master, if you are referring to the incident regarding Yeman Ren, the former King of the trolls, I accept full responsibility,” says the General humbly.
“General, this was not of your doing. You are not able to foresee the misdeeds of your men anymore than I it would seem. But the misdeeds of those under your command at the distant Pits of Guàiwù, are unforgivable,” replies the Emperor.
“Yes Master, I will see to it those responsible are subjected to the highest form of discipline,” assures the General.
“My thoughts exactly, see to it they are cast out from the Jade Order,” says the Emperor.
“Cast them out? Master, I assure you this incident will not happen again. But to discharge them from your service, there is no greater dishonour,” protests the General.
“They compromised the alliance I have formed with the troll army. They endangered a fragile friendship I have formed with an old enemy, and why...so they could profit from his death. There is no room for cruelty in an army built from ideals of good, freedom, and honour. Ultimately, there is no place for them in the Jade Order,” replies the Emperor.
“Master, if I may... my men fight for you. ‘Tis common knowledge the trolls have always been your sworn enemy, they were under the mistaken belief they were doing your bidding. They were not to know you had formed an alliance with the trolls, grant them leniency, I beg of you,” urges the General.
“General, these men have much to learn about honour if they believe it is my wish to see my greatest enemy condemned to a filthy pit where mortals not worth half his life wager their petty savings on his torture!” says Yu-Huang crossly.
“Forgive me Master, I will see to your bidding, but the journey to the Pits of Guàiwù is long and will take some time to reach,” says the General, trying to give his men some time.
The Emperor realises that the General is attempting to stall his command, and the General's face tenses as he hears the cobbled floor uprooting behind him. General Arachie needs not look at the expanding Bonsai tree growing behind him, and he stares directly into the Emperor's young face.
“My Emperor, many of these soldiers possess land, farms, livestock, families to feed...” says the General.
The Emperor exhales impatiently as he listens to his insubordinate General make excuses for the shameless men who are no closer to shedding the attire of the Jade army.
“...I humbly beg, for their years of dedicated service, allow them the season so they may better prepare for a financially difficult year,” says the General.
“Denied. However, I do not wish to learn of their families living in poverty. See to it the soldiers are provided work in the mountain sewers, for many of the present workers are still afraid to enter. Their experience as soldiers will be mutually beneficial,” replies Yu-Huang.
“The mountain sewers?” says the General confused, “Master they would rather die than suffer the shame of being demoted from a Jade soldier to a mere shit paddler,” says the General crudely.
“The matter is closed; you have your orders...” barks the Emperor, annoyed at his jargon reference to a sewage worker, “...now see to them,” says the Emperor strictly. “Do you have anything to report regarding the Jiangshi?”
“This creature continues to elude our snares; it is using cover of darkness. ‘Tis only a matter of time Master, ‘tis surely running out of places to hide,” says the General. “Master, regarding...”
“The answer is “no” General! Now see to my command or I will find somebody who will!” shouts Yu-Huang crossly.
General Arachie bows once more and storms off into the shadow of the Bonsai tree. Of course General Arachie sympathised with Yeman Ren, his treatment by the Jade army was unfair. But discharging the soldiers would not grant the troll kind any favours with the soldiers of the Jade army, even if he had nothing to do with Yu-Huang's decision. General Arachie had never felt as ashamed as he did when he delivered the news to Jade soldiers in the Pits of Guàiwù. It is common knowledge in the Jade ranks that the Pits of Guàiwù is one of the most dangerous outposts in all the outer territories, and if one is to survive there, they must adapt a harder, less sensitive disposition. Of course General Arachie knew of the illegal games, and even though he knows of their recreation stress relieving activities, he always turned a blind eye, and why the hell not. All who die there are too dangerous to be held in the Liumang prison, they're the scum of the realm and deserve their hideous and violent deaths. General Arachie is brought out of his thoughts as the trouble making Wench-Healer rambles on about the Emperor's latest favourite topic, friendship.
“We are friends are we not?” asks Xiaojian as her eyes begin to fill.
“I hope so,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Friends, true friends, can be honest with one another,” continues Xiaojian in a fervent shaking voice.
“Xiaojian, enough!” says Yeman Ren a second time.
“No, no, she is right. Xiaojian, speak your piece,” says Yu-Huang.
“My father was betrayed for acting in your good favour, the Jade army is under your rule. If you believe your own words regarding a true, unbreakable alliance with the trolls as I believe... then you must apologise to my father, only then will I truly believe your noble intentions,” says Xiaojian.
“Know your place Xiaojian Ren, Emperor Yu-Huang apologises to no man, or woman,” barks the General.
“General please,” protests the Emperor.
“Master Yu-Huang, I must apologise on behalf of my daughter,” says Yeman Ren embarrassingly. “I will have words with my daughter regarding her lack of respect,” says Yeman Ren as he matches her furious face staring defiantly back at him.
“That will not be necessary. Xiaojian Ren has spoken nobly in your well deserved honour,” replies Yu-Huang.
“Xiaojian, you have made your point well. In response to your brave actions during the attack of the undead, I make this promise... I will be keeping a much closer watch on the Healing Stations and Outposts on the outer territories. At this very moment a shipment of supplies kindly donated from every House of the Brotherhood journeys to every Healing Station on the outer territories, and will continue to do so from this day forth,” says Yu-Huang nodding to Chung Denshi.
Chung Denshi smiles sneakily as he listens to the confused murmurs coming from the formation of Ministers at his back. Yu-Huang, waiting to continue, is distracted by the bleating of ill-informed Priests and t
urning heads.
“Is there a problem? You are aware of your most generous contribution are you not?” asks Yu-Huang.
The Ministers freeze as the Emperor stares in their direction, and they begin bowing in a disorganised mess of flapping hoods.
“Colonel Chan of the 2nd Guard, step forth,” says the Emperor.
Liu Chan marches forward and General Arachie smiles at his perfect form as he stops at the flight of steps.
“Congratulations on your recent promotion to Colonel; at this rate it will not be long until the General places you in his stead,” says Yu-Huang encouragingly.