The Price of Blood: Part Four

As Tsai Jingkai walks through the mirror, he becomes mentally assaulted by a wave of such misery and anguish that he nearly falls to the floor. All around him are still forms dressed in rags to barely cover essential body parts. It is a tower that extends hundreds of feet into the air with a near uncountable number of trapped figures. Jingkai catches sight of something moving in the corner of his eye and looks. When he sees a man huddled to the ground in a tattered Warhammer business suit, he knows that he was betrayed.

“Thomas Greystone.” He whispers, turning to stop his comrades. It is too late as he finds that they too are recovering from the psychic assault and that there is no mirror t return back. Jingkai turns back to find Sikarin Tsooth watching them with an amused expression. He waves a hand at Thomas Greystone and he vanishes from view.

Sikarin grins. Its an unsettling sight to see such evil delight. “I would imagine that Victor is watching even now to see if I had freed his grandson in exchange for you. If he had only called, he would have in fact discovered that I held only n illusion of his grandson.

Sikarin extends his free hand to Jingkai with the palm facing up. “is left hand where he has a simple Now to the reason that you are really here. Hand me the ring that your father had stolen from me. It is time that you gave it back.”

Tsai Jingkai raises his left hand where he has a simple golden band. He places two fingers on the ring as if to remove it and then shakes his head.

“We came to end your hold on the corporation forever, monster. For the deaths you have caused our Order, you pay with your life.”

Sikarin doesn't stop grinning, but makes a motion with his staff. A cone of blue energy envelops Zha Beng for a second. Only a charred skeleton scatters across the floor.

“I ask again, Jingkai. Give me the ring that's rightfully mine!”

Jingkai responds with a roundhouse kick that sends Sikarin's staff flying from his hand. Cui Zong and Liu Kuei leap at Sikarin with a flurry of strikes and kicks. Sikarin Tsooth backs up as he deflects the furious assault. The speed of his deflections only increase as Jingkai joins in the attack.

The tide suddenly turns as Sikarin's fingernails lengthen into talons and he rips Cui Zong's throat open with a flick of his wrist. Zong drops to the ground, trying to stem the flow of blood with his hands. Lin Kuei grabs Sikarin's wrist and strikes his elbow with a blow meant to break it. Instead, Kuei staggers backwards as the arm comes free at the elbow. Sikarin utters a single word and with a greasy pop, the arm transforms into a green mist that envelops Kuei. He screams as his flesh and bones dissolve instantly, leaving a pile of empty clothing. Sikarin turns his full attention to the last survivor and Jingkai finds himself on the defensive as Sikarin attacks with supernatural speed and ferocity.

Tsai Jingkai back flips out of reach, but once he hits the ground, he launches forward with a straight kick to Sikarin's chest. Sikarin's sternum sinks in as most of his ribs shatters with a sickening crunch. Sikarin falls backwards instantly and lands with a heap. Tsai Jingkai stands where he is, a grim expression on his face as he watches the infamous sorcerer bleed all over the stone floor.

“It is only fitting that you perish by the death blow perfected by my ancestors. The Jade Hammer of the Hare is your end.”

Jingkai's expression turns to astonishment mixed with fear as Sikarin Tsooth stands back up. His caved in chest fills out and new growth forms into a replacement arm. Sikarin laughs and holds out his right hand, palm up.

“Did you think to kill me?” Sikarin sneers, thrusting out his hand. “This is your last chance. I'll have that ring!”

Tsai Jingkai slides into a fighting stance, defiant. “I will not give up my father's inheritance!”

Sikarin laughs cruelly as a sphere of energy forms over his palm, hovering in mid-air. The sphere clears until the visage of a wolf can be seen. It's howl is faint, but can clearly be heard.

“You wound me. I have a gift for you. It has taken some time, but I have captured this wolf spirit. Here...catch.”

As Sikarin tosses the sphere, it becomes a cone of energy that envelops Tsai Jingkai and knocks him to the ground. Jingkai writhes in pain as the wolf's howl overwhelms his senses. He feels his spirit being torn to feed the wolf's ravenous hunger and knows pain as his body is torn to match the wounds in his soul. As the wolf's spirit leaves him, Jingkai feels a calmness come over him. He has lost so much of his spirit and flesh...death is only minutes away. Sikarin picks up his staff and walks over to roughly kick Jingkai in the ribs, breaking several.

“I will now take what has always been mine.”

He leans down and pulls the golden ring off of Jingkai's tattered hand before sliding it onto his own finger with a triumphant grin. Jingkai attempts to laugh, but only coughs up blood.

“You are too late...” Jingkai manages before closing his eyes to greet death in peace.

“What? How am I too late?” Sikarin snarls and kicks Jingkai again. “Answer me!”

Dimly, Jingkai hears Sikarin curse loudly and smiles inwardly. Death does not come as a new warmth courses through his veins, healing some of his most grievous wounds and holds him at death's door. Jingkai opens his eyes to see a blue beam of energy from the staff wash over him. A maddened Sikarin stares knives into him.

“Now tell me what madness you speak of.”

Jingkai manages a weak laugh. “I used your treasure to help rebuild the House of the Jade Hare. My father's honor has been restored. The damage that you inflicted long ago has been repaired using what you desired to use to your own ends.”

A blue fire seems to erupt from within Sikarin's pupils and take over the whites of his eyes so that all is blue fire. He tightens his grip on his staff as the blue stone glows bright blue and the skull within seems to be cursing.

“You did what?” Sikarin screams in fury, spittle flying from his mouth. “WHAT?!”

Energy begins flying from the prisoners on the walls in the form of red sparks to Sikarin's form where he absorbs him. His demeanor becomes even more frightening as his entire form begins to glow a blood red.

“You have no idea what you have done! What you may have cost me! You lie! No collector would willingly buy what I seek! The curse on the object forbids it! Where is it?”

Jingkai merely closes his eyes, feigning death. Sikarin snarls as he removes his spell. Jingkai feels the sudden return of the pain from his wounds and groans.

“I'll tear your soul from your body and then you'll tell me everything to become free to pass into death!”

A beam of red energy streams from Sikarin's free hand to strike Jingkai in the chest. With a silvery explosion of power, the howl of the wolf fills the room. Sikarin pulls his hand back as if bitten. A silver wolf paw, an inch wide, forms on Jingkai's left cheek.

“The wolf claims your soul for it's own. Very well. I will check my treasury and if I find it empty? I will destroy the House of the Jade Hare and pull what I seek from the remains. Know as you perish that your father's legacy is about to be destroyed forever!”

Tsai Jingkai attempts to lift his head, but finds that he cannot. As he hears Sikarin Tsooth leave the room, he resigns himself to his fate.

“No...father...I have failed you twice.”

********************

As Ishan Goldenfire walks out to the bridge, wonders about the potion that drives the members of the Order to kill. Did Xan Feng know about the potion and desire it's use? Did someone instead slip it to him and then reveal it's power? If he had done it as a short cut to Perfection...he is certain that Feng would have revealed his new strength as a public challenge.

Ishan growls to himself as he passes by the evening watch at the gate. He knows that he needs to know more about the potion itself so that he can protect his brothers and sisters in the Order from it's wretched power.

He is so self-absorbed in thought that he walks onto the bridge and right into Mis Shatis. He frowns, ready to snap, but bites his tongue when his sight focuses on her. She puts two fingers to his lips.

“Shh!” She whispers. “The Elder is doing something!”

The Elder of the Black Diamond sits cross-legged by the edge of the ruined bridge. A small fire is next to him with a kettle for boiling water. Four tea cups and a tea kettle sit on a platter near the fire. The Elder himself seems to be meditating. The sun is setting behind the mountains, making it seem as if the White Rose monastery were once again afire.

Mis Shatis motions with her chin. “What is he doing?”

Ishan examines whats going on, but his mind is still on the potion that has caused such carnage. “He's waiting on tea.” He answers dully.

“I can see that!” She retorts, still whispering though on the edge of speaking plainly. “Why is he making tea on the bridge?”

Realization hits like a stone as Ishan clears his mind to see what is going on around him. “The Elder shares tea with the spirits of the White Rose to try to make amends for what was done in the past. He does this every day on the anniversary of the battle that was our most grievous error. Though it is odd...that time has not yet come.”

Another voice makes Ishan and Shatis jump. It s the Elder.

“Come and sit with me, my children. It is rude to stand and stare at a ceremony as solemn as this.”

Ishan and Shatis look at each other, startled. They slowly walk over and sit by the Elder. Ishan to his left and Shatis to his right. No one speaks as the Elder pours hot water into the tea kettle. After a time, e pours four cups of tea and offers Ishan and Shatis each a cup before taking one for himself. He holds up a restraining hand, stopping Shatis as she was about to sip at the tea. He takes the fourth cup and holds it over the edge of the ruined bridge. He takes a deep breathe and begins to speak in a reverent tone.

“Brothers and sisters, though it is beyond or ability to fully atone for what we have done to you, I offer this tea to honor your passing.”

With that being said, the Elder slowly pours the tea into the mists below the bridge. He slowly sets the cup down and sips at his own tea with a small grin. He chuckles as Shatis and Ishan anxiously watch him.

“Drink my children. It does the spirits no good if we will not drink tea with them.”

Letting out a sigh of relief, Ishan and Shatis sip at their tea. Ishan looks across the expanse to the ruins of the White Rose monastery. He does a double take as it seems that he can make out figures at the monastery. As he focuses on the sight, the figures seem to vanish. He just shakes his head, the spirits must have come to share the tea.

“So Shatis.” Ishan cautiously begins. “How is Mentor? His injures looked like they were serious.”

Shatis takes an extra long sip of tea, draining the cup before carefully sitting it down before answering.

“He is fine. The wounds will heal, but he is weak right now. He meditates to regain his strength.”

Ishan grins faintly. “That's good. It would be a great loss if he perished.”

“”Yes...” Shatis stares off into the distance as if distracted. Finally, she looks t the Elder. “Elder? Why do you do this ceremony now? Ishan said that the time is some ways away yet.”

The Elder glances at Ishan before slowly setting down his tea. “I fear that the mistakes committed by my great grandfather are in danger f being repeated. That Sikarin Tsooth is an enemy that the world at large would thank us for destroying is true, but I do not know that he is the one who is giving our brothers and sisters the potion that makes them kill. We have been exposed to much since allying our Order with the Warhammer Corporation. We do not know who means harm. I merely wish to appease the spirits of the White Rose so that their influence does not align the fates against us.”

Ishan frowns. How could they be wrong? Sikarin sought revenge for losing Mentor and Shatis. Right? He chooses his next words with care.

“So we should contact Tsai Jingkai and have him return home? I have not heard from him since he arrived at the Warhammer Corporate headquarters in Hong Kong.”

The Elder slowly shakes his head with a sad smile. “No. What's done is done. I only hope that this does not spell the end for us. We have gathered so much negative energy since our founding, I fear this fate is something that we have long asked for.”

The Elder slowly rises to his feet, groaning as he does so. “My children, I must retire. I fear my old bones are no longer very accepting of staying up beyond the setting sun. Do you mind taking the dishes to the kitchen? We must also attend to their well being in order to have good food prepared every day.”

Ishan bows in respect. “Of course, Elder.”

Once the Elder is gone, Ishan turns to Shatis with a faint smile and a raised eyebrow.

“We were set to resume our conversation?”

Shatis leans in with a sad smile and gives Ishan a darting kiss. “Goodnight, Ishan.” She gets up and is off of the bridge towards the monastery before Ishan can utter a single word.

Ishan places two fingers on his lips as he watches Shatis go. Conflicting emotions arise. He immediately feels shame as his interest in the girl leaving. His brothers are being killed and his best friend is across China fighting the world's most twisted sorcerer. Still, he cannot totally deny his affection for her. She needs comfort that Mentor does not seem to be able to provide. Ishan growls to himself and shakes his head to clear his thoughts. This is something to pursue once the Black Diamond is safe and sound. Silent in his thoughts, Ishan clears up the dishes left behind by the Elder and heads into the monastery.

********************

The House of the Jade Hare, though instead of the monastery-fortress that it is today, it appears to be a simple walled village. A teenage boy stands in the middle of the village, facing his father with a defiant stance and a pack slung over one shoulder.

“Jingkai.” The father begins slowly. “Everything you need s right here. Jade Hare Kung Fu is strong in it's own way and has escaped notice from the House of the Red Palm so we have escaped being bound to that wicked master.”

The young Tsai Jingkai shakes his head. “No father! Weak is still weak! There is strength in London, father. Wolf Fang Kung Fu and sponsorship by the Warhammer Corporation will make me strong! Then I can return and make the Jade Hare strong enough to never go unnoticed and never be under the Red Palm's heel.”

The father sighs sadly. “We are Jade Hare, son. Not wolf. We can never accept such from you or anyone else. It would taint everything we hold dear in our art.”

Jingkai sneers. “There is something to be proud of. Teaching others not only to be weak, but to be proud of that weakness! It's no kung fu that you teach, father. It s a method of being prey to others. Of being here to be defeated. I will not stand and be prey when I can be predator, father. If this is something that you cannot support me in, then I will call you Tsai Beilai for father to me you will no longer be!”

Tsai Beilai seems to deflate, becoming smaller next to his rebellious son. Tears build up in his eyes, but he blinks them away before speaking, his voice thick with emotion. “If this is what you want to do with your life, Jingkai. I will support you. You must know that a kung fu cannot e taught in such a place as London. Wolf Fang Kung Fu has no roots in China. It was built by half trained men who left to join Warhammer for the promise of fame as world traveling warriors. There is no honor in the path that you seek, only blood. I will not stop you, but I beg of you. Reconsider this path.”

Doubt seems to cross Jingkai's mind, but his expression goes cold. “I will not reconsider, Tsai Beilai. I will go and become strong. Honor will follow strength as it should. I must leave now because my ride will not wait much longer.”

Tsai Beilai stares at his son's face, searching for a way to change things and bring his son back around. To make his son see the truth and stay with him, but no answers come. He slips a plain golden ring off of his hand and gives it to Jingkai. Tears now roll down his cheeks unchallenged.

“If you must go. Take this with you. It is the only thing that I can offer you beyond the wish that the path you now walk will offer you the happiness that you did not find here. I love you, son. That much will never change despite our different dreams.”

Tsai Jingkai silently puts the ring on and turns his back on his father before walking away. He doesn't even turn back around for his final words to his father.

“Tsai Jingkai I am no longer. Call me Kenta Goto for I will become the Wolf.”

Jingkai stirs. He feels the cold stone floor of Sikarin Tsooth's inner sanctum. Was he just dreaming? He tries to move, but only his head responds. He feels that the floor is wet and that it is his own blood. He watches as tall ghost-white humanoids come into the room with only black loin-clothes for clothing on. They are so pale as to take on a slight blue tinge from the veins under the skin and no hair in sight on head or body. Four of them come in and start to work in clearing up the corpses.

When one of them picks up Cui Zong's fallen form, he opens his mouth to reveal rows of sharp, pointed teeth. “The master is most generous to leave meat on this one.”

Jingkai struggles mightily to get up and stop him, but he can only thrash his head as the humanoid rips a mouthful of flesh from his fallen friend and chews happily.

Another of the ale humanoids stops him from taking another bite. “We must finish cleaning before dining. The master will be back soon.”

The humanoid bearing Cui Zong's body grumbles, but goes back to work. Soon enough they are all gone, leaving him alone. The question remains. Why? Is he not dying? Does he not have meat on his bones? None of the humanoids even looked at him. Is he invisible?

“Yes.”

Like a hard kick to his head, the voice uttered seems to come from thousands of throats and from all directions. Jingkai gathers what remains of his energy to reply. “Who are you?”

“We are Xichu Fa. We can help you.”

The answer thunders through Jingkai's psyche, overwhelming his senses. He sees a flash of light and everything goes dark again.

******************