A Summer of Change

Part 1- Decisions       

 

Tian Lung

He was off the moment he heard the scream. As usual, Tian Lung was practicing alone in the woods when he heard the cry of help. There’s only one reason why anyone would come to Mount Shi. Whoever they are, they were going to the Temple of the Fire Sun. As a disciple of the temple, Tian Lung had to help the travelers.

           

Knowing the woods well, it took but two cycles to reach the clearing. The scene that greeted him was not what he expected. A man was dead on the ground with his companion standing beside him. Wearing a bloodied leather vest and holding a long sword, the man was barely standing. With a look, Tian Lung knew that the man will not last long in this world. Facing the lone man were his attackers. 4 female fighters, each holding a short sword had the man trapped. Luckily, the 4 female fighters were facing away from Tian Lung. With a silent run, Tian Lung entered the melee.

           

The first female fighter was down before she knew anything. Tian Lung threw a wicked punch to back of her head, knocking her unconscious. With a flowing movement, he was onto the second fighter. The fighter was surprised but recovered well. She stepped back, swinging her sword in an arc to fend off her attacker. Tian Lung jumped a step inside the swing. The fighter’s face showed fear before Tian Lung hit her throat with a punch. She collapsed dead on the ground. The remaining 2 fighters charged at him. Tian Lung stood motionlessly and waited. Once they were within 2 steps of him, he went right. The fighter he jumped into had to abruptly stop, switching from offense to defense. She wasn’t quick enough. With a punch to her face, Tian Lung staggered her. Then Tian Lung spins around. As expected, the last fighter was charging his back. She stabbed the sword forward. With almost inhuman speed, Tian Lung sidestepped the stroke. A knee to her guts doubles her over, and then an overhand strike from his elbow broke her neck. The fighter he staggered had recovered. With a death cry, she ran forward seeking to overwhelm Tian Lung. It was a good idea…if he wasn’t so highly trained. Retreating, Tian Lung waited for his chance. It came from a swing that went a little too high. Ducking under the swing, Tian Lung attacked the fighter with a flurry of punches. She was dead in seconds.

           

Just like that, the fight was over. Tian Lung looked over to the man. He was smiling…and then he collapsed.

 

 

Yu Sheng

            The abbot was the highest ranked monk in the temple. A small, frail looking man, Abbot Lu Seng looked every bit like an old man who has seemed 54 summers. He was the oldest man in the temple, maybe the oldest man alive. He was also a man Yu Sheng respected, which is why this will be so hard.

 

“Abbot, I recommend that we refuse the offer.”

“I see.” The abbot sat on his chair looking at Yu Sheng with his piercing black eyes. “Why would you say no, Master Yu?”

Yu Sheng stood before the abbot and answered immediately, “Duke Hatak seeks our aid because he knows that he is weak. Without us, his rebellion will fail. Even with us, he may fail. If we fight for him, we will be joining the losing side.”

“The duke said in his message that he will start the rebellion at the start of summer. He is sure that he will have success.”

“Then why does he need us, my abbot? We are disciples of a religion that is heresy in the Bright Kingdom. He will lose support from women just by having us by his side. No, he is desperate. That can be the only reason.”

“There is another reason Master Yu.”

Yu Sheng looked at the abbot with a raise eyebrow. “And that is?”

“The 2 messengers the duke sent were cultist.”

“WHAT?”

“It seems that Duke Hatak also follow the Prophecy of Bokkan.” The abbot said with a smile. “If he succeeds, he will name the Prophecy of Bokkan as his country’s official religion. Do you think this is a risk we should take, Master Yu?”

           

Yu Sheng was in shock. The Bright Kingdom covers the whole of Warron. The entire continent, and subsequently much of the world belong to the land of light and their mistress. Women ruled the Bright Kingdom, and have been since Minka Rose named herself Empress over 150 summers ago. Now only women can own property and they are considered the head of the family. There is only one religion in the empire and that is The Church of Light, all followers of other religions and teachings were put to death. The highest ranked priestess of the church is called the High Mother and is considered the second most powerful human in the world. Just behind the Empress. 

 

The Temple of the Fire Sun however follows a different teaching. The monks of the temple follow the Prophecy of Bokkan. In the prophecy, it is said that 8 powerful women born in different times will create 8 disasters. The last of which will destroy the world of Allfarr. To prevent the destruction of the world, women must be kept from power. On Mount Shi, only men matters. A woman’s place is on her knees at the feet of her master. Needless to say, the temple and its teachings were unwelcome in the Kingdom proper. However, some men in the kingdom do follow the temple’s teaching. Yu Sheng has known for a long time that small cults do exist in the kingdom. That they would count a duke among their members is something he had never imagined.

 

“Duke Hatak is a cult member?”

“Yes. I’ve known about it for quite some time,” the abbot replied. “But his ambition is something else. I’ve never thought he will rebel, even after killing his sister. That is why I seek your advice Master Yu.”

“So the rumors were true. The duke did kill his sister to inherit the dukeship.”

“Yes. That’s how I know about his loyalty. He sent another messenger 6 summers ago. Another cultist who requested aid in the “accident” of the sister.”

“Who did we sent?”

“Monk Tian Lung.”

Yu Sheng was shocked again. “He was the one who found the messengers.”

“Yes, he was.” The abbot smiled again. “Fate? Anyway, that’s a different matter. The question now is if we will accept the duke’s request. What says you, Master Yu?”

Yu Sheng considered for a moment, and then said, “If Duke Hatak will do as he says, and then the temple must help him Master Abbot.”

“Must?”

“Yes. This is a chance we may never get again. A real chance to change the world and in the process, saved it.”

“Did you not just say that we will be on the losing side, Master Yu?”

“No, Master Abbot. I said that the duke may lose even with us, but this chance and its rewards may outweigh its risk.”

“Good, good. I will take your suggestion under advisement. I will speak to the other masters, leave me.”

“Master Abbot.” Yu Sheng bowed his head and then left the room. It will be an interesting year ahead.

 

 

Lu Seng

            Lu Seng sat with his leg cross close to his body. Slowly, he cleared his mind and entered his meditative state. The other masters all agreed that the temple must helped Duke Hatak, but as High Abbot, the decision was his alone. That is why he is here in the dungeon. To seek answers.

 

“Abbot, the prisoner is ready.”

The abbot stood up and turned around. A layman of the temple stood in front of him with his had bowed and hands behind him. “Has she given up?” The Abbot asked.

“No, my Abbot.” The layman continued. “She refused to say who sent her.”

“Very well.”

 

             Lu Seng walked into the cell. The woman had her arms chained overhead. The steel chains were connected to the ceiling of the cell and the woman had to stand on her toes to keep balance. Lu Seng looked at the woman impassively. A tall busty woman with the blond hair of the north, she had the weathered look of a fighter. The woman looked at Lu Seng with hard eyes, challenging the abbot to do his worst. She was the first fighter to go down in the fight with Tian Lung but the only one to survive. Knowing Tian Lung brutal style, that takes some doing. Even in his advanced age, the abbot loves a challenge.

 

            Lu Seng showed nothing to the woman. He walked around to her back, out of her view. Quietly, he picked up a whip. With a word the abbot whipped the woman’s back. The scream echoed around the cell.

 

Swoosh! The rebellion will be dangerous.

Swoosh! But it is a great chance.

Swoosh! All the masters agreed that we should help the duke.

Swoosh! But is glory clouding their judgments?

Swoosh! Is glory clouding mine?

Swoosh! But Yu Sheng is right!

Swoosh! We may never get this chance again.

Swoosh! But can Hatak do it?

Swoosh! Can he be successful?

Swoosh! Probably. With the Kingdom so weak right now.

Swoosh! But we will need to send a sizable force.

Swoosh! What if we fail?

Swoosh! The temple will be destroyed!

Swoosh! What if we succeed?

Swoosh! We will save the world.

Swoosh! Yes, saving the world of Warron.

Swoosh! What good is the temple if the world is destroyed?

Swoosh! That is correct. We will go!

Swoosh! We must go!

 

            The Abbot stopped. Red stripes colored the woman’s back, the layman was checking the woman’s back. Lu Seng released the whip and asked, “How many?”

“20 strikes Abbot. And her skin is still not broken.”

 

There was a touch of awe in the layman’s voice. Lu Seng could understand why. To go on a meditative whipping and not break the skin is the mark of a true master. The abbot always made important decisions during a whipping. And those decisions are usually right. He walked in front of the woman. The abbot lifted her head with his hand and said, “Tell us who sent you or I will return tomorrow.” The woman’s eyes showed only fear, but not enough. Lu Seng will have to return tomorrow. He smiled, turned and left the cell.